Reaction Paper About Shyness

Numerous researches have done on psychological disorders, Social Anxiety Disorder, as one of the most common disorders has been studied and analyzed for plenty of decades. Social Anxiety Disorder is defined as “excessive anxiety on exposure to potential scrutiny or evaluation by others” (Joy Albuquerque MD, FRCP; and Dorian Deshauer MD, FRCP,2002, p.87). It is considered part of the Axis of Anxiety Disorder and is also known as “Social Phobia”. Furthermore, it has been found in studies that Social Anxiety Disorder is the third most common psychiatric illness right after Alcohol Dependence and Depression

Social anxiety is “a fear of humiliation or of being judged by others, and an avoidance of social situations where attention centers on the individual” (Martis). According to the Social Anxiety Institute, social anxiety has become the third largest psychological disorder, following depression and alcoholism (Richards). Commonly, victims of this social phobia have problems pursuing social environments, interactions, and relationships (“Social Anxiety Disorder”). The failure to fulfill daily requirements in jobs, social settings, and relationships often leaves them feeling “powerless, alone, or even ashamed” (“Social Anxiety Disorder”). Today in America,“15 million [people] suffer[from] the disorder” (“Social Anxiety Disorder”). Of the 15 million American adults affected, women and men are equally prone to develop the phobia (“Social Phobia (Social Anxiety Disorder)”). Currently, the prevalence rate for acquiring social anxiety disorder is “13-14% of all Americans” and continues to rise (Richards). As the number of people affected by social anxiety continues to rise, the understanding of social anxiety’s causes, effects, and treatments is crucial.

Everyone knows the feeling of wanting to speak to someone yet the fear of rejection is stuck in the back of your mind, refusing to leave. "Painfully shy", a term used by fellow peers when describing me, and I must admit that they are far from wrong. I find myself stuck in an endless cycle of worry and regret, missing out on great opportunities as the thought of socialising with people I don't know makes my stomach churn and my palms sweat, a wave of nausea crashing over my entire being. I don't think "shy" is the correct label for me. However, I'm unsure what it is that's wrong with me, nor do I know if I will ever find out.

People with this disorder have trouble talking to people, meeting new people, and attending social activities. They fear being judged by others. They may understand that their fears are irrational or unreasonable, but feel powerless to overcome them. This is symptom has nothing to do with shyness. Shyness is usually a short-term thing and people deal with it better. According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA) approximately 15 million American adults have social anxiety

Many people experience butterflies in their stomach, sweaty palms, pounding of the heart or a combination of all three in intimidating social situations. But for many, over 15 million American adults, “this anxiety causes extreme self-consciousness in everyday social or performance situations” (SAD Brochure, pg. 2). For these individuals, their anxiety occurs during simple tasks like ordering food or making a phone call. This brochure attempts to inform their audience about what Social Anxiety Disorder is, how this disorder affects these individuals, and how to get treatment for it. The ADAA has created this Social Anxiety Disorder brochure, that incorporates many “adapting strategies” (Penrose and Katz 2010, pg. 205), appeals

Growing up I was always a shy child, I was always afraid of what people would think of me if they

No one wants to feel invisible or have a constant fear they will embarrass themselves just simply by speaking. In the United States today, even with our say-anything society, many people struggle with these exact worries on a day-today basis. Social anxiety is a disorder that many, even doctors, write off as having shy or introverted qualities. Despite the lack of knowledge and awareness for the disorder, social anxiety is a growing problem in our country and around the world.

As pharmaceutical companies began advertising on television several years ago, many prescription drug advertisements flooded the airwaves. One such drug was for the treatment of "social anxiety disorder," also called "social phobia." In investigating the causes, symptoms, and treatment of social anxiety disorder, I found that while drug companies and some researchers have hailed the unveiling of a drug for social anxiety as an important step, others feel that the disorder is poorly defined and its prevalence is exaggerated. Therefore, the following questions emerged: how did the diagnostic category of "social anxiety disorder" come about? How much of the disorder is rooted in cultural views of

For individuals who suffer from social anxiety, everyday situations can develop into horrifying and dreadful events. According to the Social Anxiety Institute there is a difference between shyness and

Annotated Bibliography PHILP, M. (2004). Psychology: Overcoming the pain of shyness. The Globe and Mail (1936-Current), F6. "How to Become a Child Psychologist." Careersinpsychology.org.

I’ve always been a shy person but for the most part I was able to be “successfully shy”, as the PsyBlog defines it, until beginning of high school. It was a mix of things that got me there, but some of the behaviors I exhibited reminded me of the “safety behaviors” described in the Social Anxiety Disorder section. I remember, for example, if I went out to a restaurant I would ask my mom or sister if they would like to split dinner with me so I wouldn’t have to talk to the waiter/waitress or at the very least the only thing I would have to order would be a drink. I also remember purposely standing somewhat angled behind my sister when we went to a store so if a sales person would ask my sister and not me if we needed help. (all of the other safety behaviors sounded very familiar, eye contact, rehearsing the conversation, etc.) I don’t do these behaviors anymore and what helped me a lot was talking to myself (No one is going to remember you tripped five minutes from now) (Not to say I had social anxiety disorder but it reminded me of my own experience).

Social phobias, anxieties and negative self-talk are a constant struggle since my early childhood and adult life. The nervousness, fear of rejection, insecurities and self-consciousness makes it difficult to connect with people and to form close relationships. It often feels I am the one of few people who experiences these socially anxious symptoms. Adding to the dilemma, the awkwardness to speak in public is overwhelming, to creating imaginary scenarios in my head, and the uneasiness to order food at a restaurant. The fear to schedule a phone call for an appointment, to rehearse and practice conversations in my head is a daunting daily affair. The process inevitably resorts to negative self-talk when asked to engage and contribute in social

When meeting new people, my heart rate increases. I must be deliberate in my speech, or else I will stutter and mumble. I’ll get butterflies, and sometimes even freeze up. This is an example of fearful shyness. Fearful shyness involves being upset about social interactions or fearful when interacting with others (Buss, 1986). This study differentiates the two types of shyness: fearful shyness and self-conscious shyness, and explains where each type of shyness is present in what situations. An example of self-conscious shyness would be anything damaging to the self-esteem, such as going outside naked and being laughed out. Furthermore, this article explains what type of organisms experience each type of shyness; while human infants and other mammals can experience fearful shyness, only older children and adults can experience self-conscious shyness.

Social Phobia, also called social anxiety disorder (SAD), is one of the most common, but misconstrued mental health problems in society. According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA), over 15 million adults suffer from the disorder. First appearing in the DSM-III as Social Phobia, and later in the DSM-IV as Social Anxiety Disorder, this newly established disorder denotes afflicting stress and anxiety associated with social situations (Zakri 677). According to James W. Jefferson, two forms of Social phobia exist: specific and generalized. Specific social phobia indicates anxiety limited to few performance situations, while generalized indicates anxiety in all social situations (Jefferson). Many people often interchangeably link this disorder to shyness––a personality trait. However, although they have striking similarities, the two are divergent. To begin with, SAD has an extensive etiology ranging from multiple factors. Furthermore, symptoms of various aspects accompany SAD. Moreover, SAD has detrimental impacts affecting quality of life. Lastly, SAD has numerous methods of treatment. Social Phobia is prevalent in both women and men beginning at the onset of puberty (ADAA).

For instance, most people have felt shy or insecure on occasion, however, it does not interfere with their daily routines. On the other hand, people suffering from social anxiety disorder experience severe emotional, physical and behavioral symptoms. These symptoms hinder the person from functioning normally on a daily basis (Smith/Jaffe-Gill, 2014). Emotionally, the person fears being criticized and judged by others in everyday social situations. He or she is scared that they might embarrass or humiliate themselves. Frequently, when speaking in public, a person with social anxiety disorder might think, “Was that a yawn? She thinks I’m boring!” (Stein, 2007). These negative thoughts lead to serious physical symptoms, such as shortness of breath,