Experiencing anxiety when talking to a single person but not in a group is not uncommon and can be attributed to various factors. Here are some potential reasons for this phenomenon:
Social Anxiety Focus: In one-on-one interactions, the focus is entirely on you and the other person. This can intensify feelings of self-consciousness and anxiety, as you may worry about saying the wrong thing or being judged by the other person. In contrast, in a group setting, the attention is distributed among multiple people, making it feel less intimidating.
Perceived Pressure: Interacting with a single person can create a sense of heightened pressure to maintain the conversation and keep it engaging. This pressure can trigger anxiety, especially if you tend to be self-critical or have a fear of awkward silences.
Fear of Intimacy: One-on-one conversations often involve deeper and more personal interactions. If you have a fear of intimacy or feel uncomfortable sharing personal details, this can lead to anxiety in such situations.
Body Language and Eye Contact: In one-on-one conversations, there is a greater emphasis on maintaining eye contact and interpreting the other person's body language. This added level of attention can contribute to feelings of discomfort or self-awareness.
Past Experiences: Negative past experiences in one-on-one interactions, such as awkward or distressing encounters, can create a conditioned response of anxiety when faced with similar situations in the future.
Cognitive Factors: Certain thought patterns or beliefs about yourself, others, or social situations may be more pronounced in one-on-one interactions, contributing to anxiety.
Group as a Buffer: Some individuals find comfort in group settings because the presence of multiple people can act as a buffer, reducing the intensity of anxiety they might experience in a one-on-one conversation.
It's important to remember that everyone's experience of anxiety is unique, and the reasons for feeling anxious in specific situations can vary. If this anxiety is significantly affecting your ability to engage in meaningful one-on-one interactions or impacting your daily life, consider seeking support from a mental health professional. They can help you explore the underlying causes of your anxiety and provide strategies to manage and overcome it effectively. Techniques such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and exposure therapy can be particularly helpful in addressing social anxiety and improving one-on-one communication skills.