Social Anxiety

Diagnosis Date: March 21st, 2011
Do I Actually Have It: Yes
Severity: 7/10

I'm shy.

Very, very shy. I haven't always been shy, but I don't like talking to people in classes or out in public. I've never been very good at small talk either, even though sometimes I do like to try and throw caution to the wind and give a shot with a stranger. But I'm afraid that I'll mess up, or say something stupid, or never talk to this person again. They may be completely irrational fears or they may be legitimate, but I suppose I'll never know for sure.

Social anxiety is pretty common in everyone, to a certain degree. I know I don't have it as bad as some of my friends, who can't even eat in public and never talk to anyone outside of their rooms, but I do know what it's like. Social anxiety isn't fun because, like with general anxiety, irrational fears or thoughts pop into your head and join your minds circulation of things.

Social anxiety, or social phobia if you prefer, has strange manifestations and degrees. I don't like making small talk with people usually, or I feel uncomfortable around new people in a group, but I have no problems performing or speaking in public. Social anxiety is weird like that, because it's hard to get just what is going on in your head with these social conflicts.

Doesn't that sound familiar?

Obviously there are medications to help out, but this is a disorder that's hard to grow out of or even get used to. There are few advantages with general anxiety but one of them is that you can be alone to sort out your thoughts or your tendencies. With social anxiety? You have to walk around and try not to look like a lunatic while your mind is racing on the inside.

Again, everyone has social anxiety to some degree (especially if you've ever been on a date), but some have it worse than others. So if you know someone with severe social anxiety, make them feel as comfy as you can. If you have social anxiety, don't worry; you aren't alone in this world. Everyone else does in some way too, and they know how you feel.