Social anxiety flaring up in new job setting
I recently started a new job that I am very happy to have: it’s the kind of job I worked towards for years just for a chance at getting it. I’m overjoyed to have finally gotten it, but now that I’m here, I am really struggling getting to know my coworkers. Most of the people in this organization have been working together for 10+ years and have very established cliques. It’s to the point where I’ll walk into the break area at work, look around at all the people I don’t know talking to one another, wring my hands for a bit awkwardly, and walk out of the room. I’ve dealt with social anxiety before, but this is a completely different beast; I think about it nonstop every day and dread going into work because I feel like I’m just going to stand around and look stupid. I really want to establish myself as someone who is professional and put-together, but I am afraid I’ve already made an impression as someone who is timid and anxious. Any advice from any of you guys on overcoming this and settling in? I was once medicated for my anxiety, but medicine is unfortunately no longer a viable option for me.