14 Photos That Perfectly Capture Social Anxiety

Social anxiety, often invisible to the outside world, is a silent struggle where the mind battles overwhelming fears of judgment, leaving individuals feeling isolated in crowded rooms.

Alyana Aguja
May 16, 2025
5 min read

14 Photos That Perfectly Capture Social Anxiety — Thomas Park from Unsplash

Social anxiety is an insidious and poorly understood mental illness that provokes crippling fear of social contact, causing people to feel isolated and self-conscious. It can come in many different forms, ranging from shunning social engagements to being debilitated by fear of being judged or criticized. Even though it is not visible, social anxiety powerfully influences day-to-day existence, creating roadblocks to personal connection, professional accomplishment, and emotional health, making empathy and awareness essential to support and comprehension.

1. Amber Smith’s Before-and-After Panic Attack Selfie

Image from Wikipedia

Amber Smith, who is 22 and from the UK, posted two different selfies: a filtered, polished one, and another that was just snapped after a panic attack. The unfiltered photo captures her tear-streaked face, disrupting the airbrushed perfection commonly found on social media. Her post became viral because it pointed out that mental illness knows no appearance.

2. Bella Hadid’s Crying Selfies

Image from Wikipedia

Supermodel Bella Hadid shared a sequence of tearful selfies on Instagram to raise awareness about her anxiety and depression. She clarified that the photos were her way of speaking to her mother and doctor about her mental state when she was feeling depressed. By sharing those moments, she wanted to demonstrate that even glamorous lives have people who are mentally ill.

3. Jacqui Kenny’s Google Street View Photography

Image from LinkedIn

Jacqui Kenny, who has agoraphobia, discovered a way to explore the world via Google Street View. She took screenshots of different locations, developing an individual photography project that enabled her to “travel” without moving from home. The virtual traveling reduced anxiety and enabled her to interact with others who experienced similar issues.

4. John William Keedy’s “It’s Hardly Noticeable” Series

Image from John William Keedy

Photographer John William Keedy created a series titled “It’s Hardly Noticeable,” inspired by his own experiences with anxiety disorder. His photos depict various obsessive and anxious behaviors, such as a leaky glass of milk symbolizing the constant effort to maintain composure. The project invites viewers to reflect on the fluidity of normalcy and the hidden struggles many face.

5. “I’m Not Shy, I’m Terrified” Poster Series

Image from Behance

This set of posters graphically depicts the intense discomfort and fear that comes with social anxiety. The illustrations include distorted faces and disorganized backgrounds, reflecting the confusing feelings present in social interactions. The project is designed to create awareness and promote empathy toward individuals with social anxiety.

6. Getty Images: Sad High School Student Feeling Lonely

Image from Forbes

A moving Getty Images picture is of a solitary high school student in the hallway, arms folded and head hung low. The picture illustrates the loneliness and exposure brought on by social anxiety, particularly in teenage years. It is an image of the internal struggles most students battle every day.

7. Getty Images: Woman Sulking at a Party

Image from Vecteezy

A second Getty Images image shows a woman alone at a party, staring blankly into space and seeming uncomfortable. Amidst a crowd of others, she is alone, illustrating how social anxiety turns what would otherwise be cozy with friends into a suffocating experience. The photo highlights the invisible walls that social anxiety creates.

8. Getty Images: Young Woman in Isolation During COVID-19

Image from BBC

This image captures a mid-adult woman at home alone during the COVID-19 pandemic. The picture shows the double impact of social anxiety and forced confinement, highlighting the mental health struggles experienced in lockdowns. It is a reminder of the value of connection and support.

9. Getty Images: Teenage Girl Excluded at School

Image from iStock

A Getty Images photograph shows a teenage girl sitting outside a classroom, as other students socialize in the background. Her posture expresses feelings of sadness and exclusion, typical experiences for teens with social anxiety. The photo emphasizes the importance of inclusive settings in schools.

10. Getty Images: Woman Looking Through Blinds

Image from Getty Images

This poignant photo depicts a woman gazing through shut blinds, representing the hope of witnessing the world without direct engagement. It is a depiction of avoidance behaviors that come along with social anxiety, in which individuals find seclusion to cope with suffocating feelings. The photo displays the dance between curiosity and apprehension.

11. Getty Images: Man Worried During Group Therapy

Image from Getty Images

A Getty Images stock photo captures a mid-adult male looking troubled in the context of group therapy. He appears uncomfortable through body language, exemplifying difficulties those with social anxiety might encounter despite being among friendly people. The photo reiterates how it takes great courage to admit weakness and connect with people.

12. Getty Images: Woman Sitting Alone in the Kitchen

Image from Getty Images

This image depicts a woman alone in her kitchen, her body position conveying sadness and contemplation. The home environment highlights how social anxiety can infuse daily life, invading times that ought to be safe and relaxing. The photo is a visual reminder of the insidious nature of anxiety disorders.

13. Getty Images: Man Isolating in Solitude

Image from Getty Images

A Getty Images conceptual image shows a man isolated from the rest by a wall, representing self-induced loneliness. The photographic metaphor here represents how social anxiety creates such invisible walls and keeps people separated from others. The image highlights the loneliness that follows such isolation.

14. Getty Images: Nervous Man Before Public Speaking

Image from Getty Images

This photo shows a man who appears clearly nervous prior to delivering a presentation, wiping sweat from his forehead. It illustrates the fear of public speaking, a typical expression of social anxiety. The photo expresses the extreme pressure and self-consciousness that may come with such an experience.