It makes it harder. But a few small adjustments can make online conversation feel much more manageable.
Interest-matched chat removes the pressure of not knowing what to say. When you're anxious, familiar ground is your friend.
You're not on a timer. Read, breathe, compose. The other person will wait. Use the processing time — it's a feature.
Anxious brains remember disasters and forget smooth moments. Consciously register when it went okay — your brain needs those data points.
You're not just having a conversation — you're teaching your nervous system that social interaction is survivable. That compounds.