[Indie'sOK]

From ABC Health..

Social Phobia and Social Anxiety Disorder

Out of many anxiety disorders, experts say those with social anxiety disorder are likely the most affected by a negative reaction to their problem.

"For a long time there were a lot of naysayers saying, 'oh, this isn't a condition, it's made up,'" said Jerilyn Ross, a clinical social worker and president and CEO of the Anxiety Disorders Association of America in Silver Spring, Md.

"Because you can't measure it on an X-ray, or a blood test, a lot of people will say things like 'was this made up by the drug companies?'" said Ross, who is also the director of the Ross Center for Anxiety and Related Disorders in Washington, D.C.

"That just perpetuates the stigma for those who have it and it perpetuates their fear of getting help," she said.

Shy is one thing, but the mental health world never really considered social anxiety a full-blown disorder until 1985 when Dr. Michael R. Liebowitz from Columbia University published a review calling "social phobia" a neglected disorder.

"That article really put it on the map," said Ross. Before then, Ross said, "Society treated it as, 'oh, it's really not that big a deal.' ... In a woman, it's 'oh, how cute - she blushes.'"

Ross says because the disorder got full recognition in the 1990s and a lot of press from media and direct-to-consumer advertising, people with what's now called "social anxiety disorder" felt empowered to seek help.

According to Ross, when one of the estimated 5 million to 10 million people with social anxiety disorder in the United States comes forward to seek treatment, the line between a disorder and "shy" is as clear as day.

"For 30 years they've never gone into town because they can't talk to anybody," Ross said. "Or they may say: 'I dropped out of school, I'm suicidal, I've never had a date in my life, I can't go out to a restaurant and I can't call for tickets to a show.'"

Full article can be read here.

The idea that society often views Social Anxiety Disorder as a "Yuppie illness" floors me. How dare someone claim that it is nothing more than exaggerated shyness - especially without having experienced the disorder themselves. I know this is an old article but it leaves me so unbelievably angry and shocked that I had to post it. Shame on those that trivialize such a debilitating condition, be it the media, or society in general. Shame.

I do appreciate the article's message in general, however, because it tries to debunk the erroneous beliefs held by many about SAD. My anger comes from reading the title of the article, not the text itself.

I can't see oxygen - is it real?

[gma45]

Good point!

[Fuzzybear]

Thanks for sharing!

[rabog]

I fully understand your anger and this article. For a long time my family hid from their own personal problems and seemed ashamed of me for being open with my own (not just anxiety but depression and others). --No one needs to know you see a psycologist. It'd be better if they think you are normal-- Now some others in my family recognize their own anxiety issues. However, they are still closed mouthed about it for fear of discrimination.

[Phoboxyl]

I agree, it really pisses me off how SA is stigmatized as being simple "shyness", as if it's our fault and we need to "get out there" and be more social. It's a load of bs that helps normal people feel that they are in control of their lives because if we all make our own destiny then they are sure to succeed with their positive, "go-getter" attitude.

[Sapere aude.]

that helps normal people feel that they are in control of their lives

Loved that. Very well said.

because if we all make our own destiny then they are sure to succeed with their positive, "go-getter" attitude.

Loved the " 'go-getter' attitude". Right on the kisser. That pisses me off too.
I had dreams of making 'normal' people feel like is to have fear of people, by means of injecting them with substances that would increase lets say adrenaline, when they need to socialize, or even to remain seated at a classroom cheat-chatting...So they would know...how it feels like... Maybe this last part will need to be moderated... I am just sharing a though that used to calm me down...I never really intended to do that or to inspire somebody to do the same. And, would be very difficult to do that, and I would go to jail.