Why Do We Feel Anxious Around Strangers?

Imagine your brain is like a detective who's always on the lookout for danger. When someone new comes near you, it’s like that detective gets suspicious and tells your body to prepare for fight or flight, making you feel anxious around strangers.

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Examples

A child feels nervous when meeting new classmates for the first time.
An adult gets a sudden rush of anxiety at work when their boss approaches them unexpectedly.
You feel your pulse quicken when you see someone from across the room who looks like they might be coming over to talk.

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Categories: Psychology · anxiety· social interaction· evolutionary psychology· brain function· emotions