Social Anxiety is one of the most common mental illnesses in the United States.
It is estimated that some 5 million adults, or almost 4% of the population of the United States are affected by Social Anxiety Disorder.
But what exactly is it, and why are so many affected? Social anxiety (sometimes also called social phobia) is defined as a fear of a social or performance situation where the person is exposed in such a way that they feel they would be scrutinized or judged by others.
The person feels that they will perform or act in a way that will completely embarrass or humiliate them.
When the person is exposed to this kind of situation, they begin to feel the effects of anxiety, and some may experience panic attacks.
A person who has social anxiety will begin to avoid these situations.
This avoidance can start to affect what would typically be a normal life, and lead to withdrawal or self medication with substances like alcohol.
Typically the person knows that this fear is irrational, but is helpless to control the feelings regardless.
I can write with some authority on the subject, because I have suffered with social anxiety from a very young age.
I have also overcome it, and you can too.
All it takes is a change in perspective.
Look at it this way: I would say it's safe to assume that each and every one of us seeks approval from others.
It's what humans are programmed to do.
What happens when our need for approval becomes so strong that we over analyze and over think our every move, and every word, fearing that it might cause disapproval in others? It leads us down the path to social anxiety.
What do you think would happen if suddenly you stopped caring about what others thought of you? What would happen if you suddenly found a source of contentment within yourself, and no longer needed the approval of others to sustain you? What if your approval of yourself was all that you needed? Well, along with most things in life, it's easier said than done.
But think about that, really think about it.
Once you begin to realize that you have everything you need right inside of you to get through your life, and that you do not need approval from anyone but yourself, your entire world shifts.
Once you see that you are your own person and it really does not matter what a few strangers think of you, a funny thing starts to happen.
All of a sudden, you begin to notice people liking you more, looking up to you, even admiring you, because you are unafraid to be yourself.
Friends start to come easier, as does casual conversation, when you simply speak your mind, without trying to figure out whether or not someone will approve of you.
It's a catch-22: the more you seek approval, the less you get.
Yet the less you seek approval, the more you get.
It took me a long time to realize this, but once I did my life changed for the better.
I urge you to find it within yourself to simply be you, for your own sake, and you will be amazed at the changes that follow.
It is estimated that some 5 million adults, or almost 4% of the population of the United States are affected by Social Anxiety Disorder.
But what exactly is it, and why are so many affected? Social anxiety (sometimes also called social phobia) is defined as a fear of a social or performance situation where the person is exposed in such a way that they feel they would be scrutinized or judged by others.
The person feels that they will perform or act in a way that will completely embarrass or humiliate them.
When the person is exposed to this kind of situation, they begin to feel the effects of anxiety, and some may experience panic attacks.
A person who has social anxiety will begin to avoid these situations.
This avoidance can start to affect what would typically be a normal life, and lead to withdrawal or self medication with substances like alcohol.
Typically the person knows that this fear is irrational, but is helpless to control the feelings regardless.
I can write with some authority on the subject, because I have suffered with social anxiety from a very young age.
I have also overcome it, and you can too.
All it takes is a change in perspective.
Look at it this way: I would say it's safe to assume that each and every one of us seeks approval from others.
It's what humans are programmed to do.
What happens when our need for approval becomes so strong that we over analyze and over think our every move, and every word, fearing that it might cause disapproval in others? It leads us down the path to social anxiety.
What do you think would happen if suddenly you stopped caring about what others thought of you? What would happen if you suddenly found a source of contentment within yourself, and no longer needed the approval of others to sustain you? What if your approval of yourself was all that you needed? Well, along with most things in life, it's easier said than done.
But think about that, really think about it.
Once you begin to realize that you have everything you need right inside of you to get through your life, and that you do not need approval from anyone but yourself, your entire world shifts.
Once you see that you are your own person and it really does not matter what a few strangers think of you, a funny thing starts to happen.
All of a sudden, you begin to notice people liking you more, looking up to you, even admiring you, because you are unafraid to be yourself.
Friends start to come easier, as does casual conversation, when you simply speak your mind, without trying to figure out whether or not someone will approve of you.
It's a catch-22: the more you seek approval, the less you get.
Yet the less you seek approval, the more you get.
It took me a long time to realize this, but once I did my life changed for the better.
I urge you to find it within yourself to simply be you, for your own sake, and you will be amazed at the changes that follow.