Kallie was attending a party, she started feeling uncomfortable. Is she suffering from social anxiety, or is she merely shy? Shyness and social anxiety disorder are two different things. The negative feelings and emotions that accompany social anxiety disorder do not affect shy people. While quite a few people with social anxiety are shy, you do not have to be shy to have social anxiety disorder. What is absurd about having social anxiety disorder is that you can actually be an extrovert. When some people overcome social anxiety, they find out that they like being the center of attention.
Although social anxiety disorder and shyness have similarities, there are distinct differences between the two. Just look at the definitions of both. Shyness:
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They beat themselves up for having this condition. This is just one part of the vicious cycle of anxiety – “the over-thinking, over-analyzing, worrying, and anticipatory anxiety, all of which reinforces social anxiety and often results in some degree of depression.” (www.socialanxietyinstitue.org) In some studies, nearly half of Americans describe themselves as being shy. Severe shyness is, however, something different. And social anxiety disorder is something very different than that.
If you have social anxiety you will know that often people try and reassure you by saying things like; “don’t worry”, “relax, you’re fine”, “just do it”, or “it’s no big deal.” These comments, however, don’t help that person at all. Its ineffective. A person doesn’t choose to be anxious or nervous about something. Wouldn't you think a person with social anxiety disorder would stop worrying if they could? Noone likes the feeling of anxiety or fear of doing
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It would also be beneficial to get enough sleep, eat well, drink well, and to keep your body healthy. The truth is that anxiety is within you. You are the one bringing it on even though you might not be fully aware of why. Anxiety is the result of the mind believing it is in danger. Although you might think avoiding absolutely everything that would trigger the attacks and anxiety would help, you would be wrong. That is no way to live. If you are living that way, your quality of life is not as high as it should be. I think one of the worst parts of anxiety is the opportunities I've been given and had to say no to because of my anxiety. I know that personally, it holds me back from doing things I want to do but I feel like I