English 101
7 July 2013

Social Anxiety

The concept of fear dates back as far as 400 BC. During this time, Hippocrates, an ancient Greek physician described the overly shy person as “someone who loves darkness as life and thinks every man observes him”(Cunic). When fear is persistent and exaggerated, it results in tension and stress and consequently, anxiety. Ever have that friend, who never wants to come out to a social gathering? Maybe it's you. You avoid every situation dealing with groups of people. You find every excuse in the book. "I need to study,"" I have plans already," and the famous "I'm not feeling well." You find yourself engulfed in fear of social rejection or humiliation. You, my friend, have social anxiety, which is one, of many anxiety disorders. An anxiety disorder can also be called a "Social Phobia". Social phobia's basic definition is: a persistent dread and avoidance of situations in which the person is exposed to possible scrutiny by others and fears acting in a way that will be humiliating or embarrassing. There are seven common types of anxiety disorders. They include generalized anxiety disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, panic disorder, and phobias. Others are, post-traumatic stress disorder, and separation disorder. Anxiety symptoms vary depending on the type of anxiety disorder, but general symptoms include feelings of panic, uneasiness, constant worrying, obsession about small or large concerns, restlessness, and trouble concentrating. Believe it or not, everyone experiences anxiety; no one is blessed without it. It's a part of our biology; we get nervous before a big test, when speaking in public, going on a date or a job interview. It helps us identify and avoid situations not so healthy for us, and can keep us out of danger's way. With anxiety disorders, the fear is usually constant, irrational, and creates avoidant issues in an individual. Those with the disorder find themselves consumed in negative self-talk, and depending on the disorder, panic may resume. Social anxiety can be life crippling. It affect all types of people: young and old, attractive and not so attractive. It does not discriminate. Epidemiological studies have recently pegged social anxiety disorder as the third largest psychological disorder in the country, after depression and alcoholism. It is estimated that 7-8% of the population suffers from some form of social anxiety at the present time. The lifetime prevalence rate for developing social anxiety disorder is 13-14% (Trend in the Prevalence of Social Phobia). That being said, the disorder is usually coupled with other psychological disorders. Those who suffer from anxiety usually become depressed. They might also find themselves self-medicating with alcohol. Many with the disorder use substances because they believe the substances create a calming