What People With Social Anxiety Disorder Have To Deal With Every Day
Start writing a post
Health and Wellness

What People With Social Anxiety Disorder Have To Deal With Every Day

No, you are not crazy.

251
What People With Social Anxiety Disorder Have To Deal With Every Day
Wordpress

My primary goal of this article is to make people feel better about having social anxiety disorder and also bring more awareness to this one particular part of mental illness. The Anxiety and Depression Association of America describes social anxiety as “…the extreme fear of being scrutinized and judged by others in social or performance situations: Social anxiety disorder can wreak havoc on the lives of those who suffer from it. This disorder isnotsimply shyness that has been inappropriately medicalized.”

People suffer in different ways, but my struggle with S.A.D. has affected my livelihood in ways that are hard to explain or rationalize. It has affected my ability to have social and romantic relationships, has made me feel powerless, alone, and even ashamed. While I recognize that I can act, feel, think excessively and unreasonably, I often still succumb to fear. My anxiety has cost me meaningful relationships with friends and family, has led me away from better-paying and more prestigious jobs, has paralyzed me in school and job interviews, and affected my ability to date romantically. I cannot speak for everyone, but my struggle has become my identity and getting past that has been and will continue to be difficult. I sometimes feel as though life will pass me by and I won't care.

I personally get flustered and stutter when I have basic conversations with people.

I avoid situations where I need to small talk.

It is usually very difficult to get out of bed.

Weeks will go by before I realize I haven’t talked to my parents, friends, etc., but to me that is enough because of how little social interaction I have grown accustomed to having.

I often recluse so as to never embarrass myself.

I never want there to be awkwardness in a conversation, and so I avoid most conversations altogether.

I obsess over what I consider “poor” conversations sometimes even weeks, months, or years after they happen.

I have suffered physical effects also, including headaches, muscle aches, and shortness of breath/panic attacks.

The ADAA estimates that 36 percent of people with social anxiety disorder report symptoms for 10 or more years before seeking help. I was thirteen when I first started feeling this way, but I didn’t speak up or receive treatment for a very long time. I frankly didn’t know what I was feeling, and I think more than anything I was scared. I can say that by talking to medical professionals in this field I felt a lot better. Mental illnesses like depression and anxiety are still relatively mysterious to many scientists, and there is not a clear treatment for the symptoms many individuals experience.

What I want you to know is that you are not crazy. You are human. You are beautiful, and you are loved. This disorder should not define you, because even from within your confines, you have so much to offer this world. Surround yourself with understanding friends and family, and seek healthy treatments that work for you. There are resources out there to help, you just have to be open to help. It has taken me many years to realize this, but as a 22-year-old, I finally feel confident that this is a life I can manage, and I have the utmost confidence you can, too.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
the beatles
Wikipedia Commons

For as long as I can remember, I have been listening to The Beatles. Every year, my mom would appropriately blast “Birthday” on anyone’s birthday. I knew all of the words to “Back In The U.S.S.R” by the time I was 5 (Even though I had no idea what or where the U.S.S.R was). I grew up with John, Paul, George, and Ringo instead Justin, JC, Joey, Chris and Lance (I had to google N*SYNC to remember their names). The highlight of my short life was Paul McCartney in concert twice. I’m not someone to “fangirl” but those days I fangirled hard. The music of The Beatles has gotten me through everything. Their songs have brought me more joy, peace, and comfort. I can listen to them in any situation and find what I need. Here are the best lyrics from The Beatles for every and any occasion.

Keep Reading...Show less
Being Invisible The Best Super Power

The best superpower ever? Being invisible of course. Imagine just being able to go from seen to unseen on a dime. Who wouldn't want to have the opportunity to be invisible? Superman and Batman have nothing on being invisible with their superhero abilities. Here are some things that you could do while being invisible, because being invisible can benefit your social life too.

Keep Reading...Show less
Featured

19 Lessons I'll Never Forget from Growing Up In a Small Town

There have been many lessons learned.

71406
houses under green sky
Photo by Alev Takil on Unsplash

Small towns certainly have their pros and cons. Many people who grow up in small towns find themselves counting the days until they get to escape their roots and plant new ones in bigger, "better" places. And that's fine. I'd be lying if I said I hadn't thought those same thoughts before too. We all have, but they say it's important to remember where you came from. When I think about where I come from, I can't help having an overwhelming feeling of gratitude for my roots. Being from a small town has taught me so many important lessons that I will carry with me for the rest of my life.

Keep Reading...Show less
​a woman sitting at a table having a coffee
nappy.co

I can't say "thank you" enough to express how grateful I am for you coming into my life. You have made such a huge impact on my life. I would not be the person I am today without you and I know that you will keep inspiring me to become an even better version of myself.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

133465
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments