Social Anxiety Research Paper

Introduction
Imagine that you are on stage about to give a speech. No matter how well prepared you are for the speech you can’t seem to concentrate. You start to feel the audience stare, wondering what they are thinking. At the same time you start to notice the way you breathe, every beat your heart makes, and the way your legs begin to shake.

Everyone has felt shy, at least once in their entire lives either giving a speech, meeting new people, or being in social places such as a restaurant, amusement park, or party. However, people who suffer from social anxiety disorder feel much more discomfort than a person who has felt shy (Shields 22). I suffer from social anxiety disorder and I believe it is important to inform you how it affects people’s …show more content…
In “Shyness and Social Phobia,” Joseph Walsh states, “Everyday shyness can be considered a mild form of social phobia” (138). At times making the other categories seem less serious. Although, people with mild social anxiety are able to interact with others despite feeling uncomfortable. The mental symptoms people in this category experience are having a small fear of making themselves look bad. Most people’s actions in this category are not affected by their symptoms nor fears. For example if they were to speak in front of a classroom they will feel discomfort at first but after they get into the speech they are able to feel at ease. The physical symptoms people experience will be a fast heartbeat, and or shaking. Moreover, In “How Shy Is Too Shy,” Murray B. Stein states, “people with . . . “discrete” or “specific” social phobia, rarely need medical help”. In other words, self-treatment is possible for people who are not wanting to seek a professional. In some cases prescription medicine can be helpful too if people do choose to go to a …show more content…
For example a person might not leave the comfort of their home or room. As much as they want too they are unable to leave due to their fear. People with severe social anxiety experience various mental symptoms such as having panic attacks and are at risk in developing other mental disorders in most cases depression. Physical symptoms include fatigue, vomiting, diarrhea, and much more. Self-treatment is not recommended for people in this category. In “Social Anxiety Disorder: Much More Than Shyness,” Margot Shields states, many people with social anxiety disorder us alcohol or drugs to help them cope, and this may lead to abuse or dependency” (27). In other words people are at risk in using drugs or alcohol to endure their social anxiety. Although, self-treatment is still possible, one must have mental strength in overcoming their condition. In most cases, Walsh states, “Medication has become a primary, and sometimes the only, intervention for people with social anxiety”

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