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Hannah Croy
Ms. Thomson (Period 1)
A.P. Lang. and Comp.
January 23, 2016
Social Anxiety vs. Shyness

Imagine walking into a room full of people. Some of which you know but most are

strangers. When you enter the room a good deal of people look at you. What are your first

instincts? Do you smile at those looking at you? Do you turn your head away, avoiding eye

contact? Are you nervous? Are you shaking? Do you decide to walk up to someone you know?

Are you turning around to head out of the room? Suddenly are your feet glued to the floor? The

initial reaction of how one feels when entering the room can differentiate whether they have

social anxiety or are shy which ultimately determine whether we are a society of anxiety.

The difference between shyness and social anxiety is very subtle but with a close

examination of the two, one will find that social anxiety is an extreme form of shyness. Shyness

is the awkwardness or apprehension some people feel when approaching or being approached by

other people. It can lead to an anxious first day of school or an uncomfortably stressful job

interview. Whereas social anxiety is an intense fear of humiliation in situations where there is

exposure to the scrutiny of other people. It interferes with ones daily routine such as work or

school.

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Symptoms of shyness can start from a very young age. A child might start to be quiet and

passive while avoiding eye contact and social situations. Nervous ticks are also very common

which can include shaking of the leg or constant touching of the hair. A manifestation of these

behaviors can lead to more extensive shyness. When put is situations around people they can

exhibit symptoms such as but not limited to sweating, shaking, fear of loss of self-control, fast

heartbeat and the feeling of butterflies in the stomach.

The symptoms of social anxiety are quite similar to those of shyness although are at a

more extensive level. They all originate around the fear of the opinions of others and

embarrassing themselves. Physical symptoms can include shaky voice, trembling, sweating or

blushing. It is the mental toll which social anxiety causes that distinctly differentiates it from

shyness. They have intense fears of being judged, humiliating themselves or offending someone

around them. This mental cohesion within the brain will lead to the fear in anticipation of social

activities such as sports and extracurricular. It is imperative to understand that people with social

anxiety have an unreasonable fear of social situations meaning that they cannot control or

overcome their fear.

Johnathan Berent, who worked with social phobias, states, in simpler terms, that shyness

is the base grounds of social anxiety. The American Psychiatric Association also warns is that

shyness is not social anxiety. Social anxiety is a manifestation of shyness. The manifestation of

social anxiety can happen in many ways. The worlds number 1 cause of social anxiety is public

speaking. A small shyness or discomfort with public speaking, with the right amount of pressure,

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can drive the person to a mental breakdown the formation of social phobias. Social anxiety is

a psychiatric condition. A shy person continues to go on job interviews while

social anxiety may cause a person to remain unemployed. According to

Social Anxiety: Knowledge is Power, 1 in every 8 people suffer from social

anxiety. Although they also state that it is the third most preventable mental

health disorder apart from depression and substance abuse. The correct

balance of medication and counseling will lead to the decrease and eventual

cure of the persons social anxiety. The cure for social anxiety does not

come without a cost. It will take all efforts from family and friends to change

their habit which are negatively effecting the person with social anxiety.

The ultimate question is whether or not we are a society of anxiety.

The Anxiety and Depression Association of America found that social anxiety

is the most common mental illness in the United States and National Institute

of Mental Health concluded that social anxiety is affecting 40 million adults,

which is about 18% of the United States population but only 1/3 of them seek

treatment. In 2007 the ADAA established that 36% of people with social

anxiety reported that they experienced symptoms for 10 or more years

before seeking help. Anxiety disorders account for more than $42 billion

dollars a year, almost 1/3 of the United States mental health bill of $148

billion. Just in 1999, a study done by ADAA found that the United States was

using $22.84 billion of the mental health bill to help people who have social

anxiety. Within the past 17 years the money invested in anxiety disorders

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has doubled, meaning that the number of cases had to have grown

drastically. At this rate 50% of adults in the United States will have social

anxiety by 2045.

Now that social anxiety is curably why has the number of people who

have social anxiety doubled? Why are people letting themselves suffer with

the disease and not get the help they need? One word: awareness. Society is

lumping together social anxiety with shyness. Shyness is a broad emotion

that has an extensive list of sub-illnesses, the most common of them social

anxiety. Social anxiety has the same symptoms of shyness except to a more

severe degree and they have a larger impact on the individuals mental

capacity. If our society does not acknowledge that social anxiety is a disease,

then anxiety will be able to captivate our society.