Social Anxiety: A Disorder or Just Extremely Shy?
Most people may not see the difference between extreme shyness and an actual disorder, but let me tell you that there is. Shyness itself can be crippling, but as part of Social anxiety disorder it can be like a cancer. Okay, before you start the the attacks on me saying this disorder is like cancer, just hear me out. Cancer can take over the whole body, it starts in one place and travels to different parts of the body. Social Anxiety can start with shyness, for example, and then affect more prominant parts of life such as: going out in public, using a telephone, relationships with other people.
So what are the symptoms, you ask?
The first part of the list is certain things that bring a lot of emotional distress
Being introduced to other people
Being teased or criticized
Being the center of attention
Being watched while doing something
Meeting people in authority
Most social encounters, especially with strangers
Going around the room (or table) in a circle and having to say something
Interpersonal relationships, whether friendships or romantic relationships
information source:
Physical symptoms that may occur are:
intense fear
racing heart
turning red or blushing
excessive sweating
dry throat and mouth
trembling
swallowing with difficulty
muscle twitches, particularly around the face and neck
People with Social Anxiety Disorder find it hard to live their life beyond a day to day because they constantly worry, or wonder what people will think about them. Its true that there are a lot of people out there who are socially consciensous, but they are able to face their fears and have a content life.
I, myself, have dealt with most of the symptoms of Social Anxiety. I rely on my family in social situations: such as talking to authority figures, answering the phone, etc. I find it hard to go out in public because I feel I am constantly being watched. I can’t even go grocery shopping in peace. Everytime I go shopping I panic and get this horrible pain in my back. My heart starts beating fast and hard enough that I can feel it in my ears. It always feels like a panic attack setting in.
Those out there who have Social Anxiety can live a normal content life, one way to solve these anxiety problems is cognitive-behavioral therapy.
As well as therapy, there are some out there that believe Paxil CR may help with Social Anxiety. You’re thinking that is an anti-depressant, right? Well Paxil is an selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor and like depression, social anxiety can be caused by a chemical imbalance of seratonin in the brain, and this medicatin can help control the symptoms.
So, if you are reading this and think you may have Social Anxiety Disorder, I suggest you get it checked out. Its better to be safe than sorry.
Written by poeticenigma


