Lorraine Manca
Well-known member
Do you guys think there are any advantages to being a social phobic? Is there a bright side to social anxiety? I think there must be.
Do you think there are any advantages?
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Lorraine Manca
Well-known member
I mean, for example, most people spend alot of time goofing around with their friends, which is fine. Shy people dont, so they spend time doing something else, which means chances are they have "something" most people dont. So much for clarifying.
Cal
Well-known member
I think about this all the time, like what my life would be like had I not experienced any of these problems. To be quite blunt, I wouldn't have it any other way, I'm happy with the way I am. 
I've learned a lot from my negative experiences, such as dealing with death of loved ones and loss in general, living in very poor conditions, and being kicked out home, all at a very young age.
I've learned a lot from my negative experiences, such as dealing with death of loved ones and loss in general, living in very poor conditions, and being kicked out home, all at a very young age.
Lorraine Manca
Well-known member
Awesome, a response. Yes being able to have time to think, to know what's important and to be deliberate makes sa not seem so bad. You know, people talk about missing out on life experiences, but time spent thinking seems to multiply the minutes.
This is just a mental exercise. Beware, this may bore you. People are more "successful" I guess at adaptation than animals are for one peculiar reason. While other animals have adapted to their environment, we've adapted the environment to us. You know. Instead of migrating south for the winter like birds we make coats and have heaters. So what if the mentally ill are not abberations or flukes, but instead they are sensitive instruments that detect problems in the environment, so that the environment or society may be adapted again? For instance our problems are really the problems of normal people magnified. Everyone is under stress, maybe sensitive people are supposed to analyze and propose solutions?
This is just a mental exercise. Beware, this may bore you. People are more "successful" I guess at adaptation than animals are for one peculiar reason. While other animals have adapted to their environment, we've adapted the environment to us. You know. Instead of migrating south for the winter like birds we make coats and have heaters. So what if the mentally ill are not abberations or flukes, but instead they are sensitive instruments that detect problems in the environment, so that the environment or society may be adapted again? For instance our problems are really the problems of normal people magnified. Everyone is under stress, maybe sensitive people are supposed to analyze and propose solutions?
meatcake
1
it's almost an advantage, because i've maybe gotten more done than if i'd spent time socializing with people. but depression due to isolation has really taken a lot of time and energy also.
the bad thing about stress though is that you get tunnel-vision, focusing on your problems, not really being creative about finding solutions. it's the way organisms work in general - focusing on threats to their wellbeing. that's something we learned in the psychology of religion class. one benefit of (some) religion though is that it helps you to reframe your problem, to try to see it as a challenge, so you can find solutions.
the bad thing about stress though is that you get tunnel-vision, focusing on your problems, not really being creative about finding solutions. it's the way organisms work in general - focusing on threats to their wellbeing. that's something we learned in the psychology of religion class. one benefit of (some) religion though is that it helps you to reframe your problem, to try to see it as a challenge, so you can find solutions.
astrozombie21
Member
One advantage I can think of is that I am much more observant than most people. I notice subtle details that people without SA don't usually pick up on. I think this is very beneficial for things such as school work and tests.
Lorraine Manca
Well-known member
I think people could do well in the world not despite sa but even because of the "side effects" of it. Its just difficult to get into a situation where this is possible. I wish people could change their focus from the inability to be social to the ability that they have for so many other things because of the introspection and the stenghth of character that comes from suffering.
Lorraine Manca
Well-known member
Yeah, dead on.
I like the fact that SA provides an opportunity for cultivating some of the more undervalued traits in a person. For example, I've really learned to pride myself on being humble and unobtrusive, and developing analytical skills, including a heightened sense of perception, increased attention to detail, and an eye for precision.
stand_up
Well-known member
Having SA makes me more of an observer in learning and problem solving. I listen and watch more than I speak. And when the time is right, and when it is necessary, I will speak or act. Everything is well planned.
This way, I am less likely to make a fool out of myself as I think, plan, mentally simulate/visualise and understand before I act or speak.
This way, I am less likely to make a fool out of myself as I think, plan, mentally simulate/visualise and understand before I act or speak.
That's very true, actually. I remember having my dad on the phone when the swine flu first broke out in my area. He asked if I'd be okay and I went "sure, I'm self-quarantined."
NormanBates
Well-known member
Social phobic people are sometimes more aware of their surroundings.
Having this trait makes you less susceptible to car accidents for sure
Having this trait makes you less susceptible to car accidents for sure
pandamonium77
Well-known member
I increased my shyness, haha that's about it
And i guess i have a lot of time to do thinks i enjoy... but i don't like that i don't have the confidence to share them with the world
And i guess i have a lot of time to do thinks i enjoy... but i don't like that i don't have the confidence to share them with the world
From my experience: no, no and NOOOO!!!
I missed out on my childhood and teenage years because of social anxiety. (didn't go to sleep-overs, school dances, prom, parties, football games etc.). There are many jobs that I refuse to take because of my social anxiety. I don't have a life because of social anxiety. I don't have friends because of my social anxiety. I don't have a boyfriend due to my social anxiety. I'm afraid to take chances and be out in public because of social anxiety...
I honestly cannot think of ONE good advantage to having social phobia. There is none! Just like there is no advantage to being born severely retarded or with missing limbs. The handicapp ALWAYS gets in the way of living a normal life.
Tiercel
Well-known member
I guess I have slightly better skin than I would otherwise have if I was always going out under that harsh sunlight and doing things like "normal" people.
I think I'd actually prefer life among zombies. At least I'd know exactly how to deal with the multitudinous throngs. Too bad we'd probably be too afraid to band together and restart civilization!
I think I might have already contracted that silly swine flu. So bring on flu season!
I think I'd actually prefer life among zombies. At least I'd know exactly how to deal with the multitudinous throngs. Too bad we'd probably be too afraid to band together and restart civilization!
I think I might have already contracted that silly swine flu. So bring on flu season!
Interesting topic. Up until not long ago I probably would have said yes, SA has helped me to be a deeper thinkier, empathetic, given me time to develop my talents, do my own thing, etc.
But one single event earlier this year very vividly illustrated for me the toll SA has taken on my life over the years. It was simply this: I was in a communication and interviewing skills class at uni (the horror!) and we had to go around the room and talk about something, I don't remember what, but I had a very rare burst of confidence and talkativeness and actually, for several sentences, freely and spontaneously expressed myself to the rest of the class and the teacher, who in turn reciprocated in a likewise positive manner.
I felt very happy to have been able to do this but at the same time it dawned on me: this is what it would have been like if I hadn't had SA. This is how much easier it would have been. And this is how much easier it is for people who don't have SA.
Everything was clear to me then. In a way I also felt incredibly validated. My difficulties because of SA have been very, very real.
So actually after that experience I can't say that any advantages could even begin to outweigh the huge disadvantage that this has caused, unfortunately.
But one single event earlier this year very vividly illustrated for me the toll SA has taken on my life over the years. It was simply this: I was in a communication and interviewing skills class at uni (the horror!) and we had to go around the room and talk about something, I don't remember what, but I had a very rare burst of confidence and talkativeness and actually, for several sentences, freely and spontaneously expressed myself to the rest of the class and the teacher, who in turn reciprocated in a likewise positive manner.
I felt very happy to have been able to do this but at the same time it dawned on me: this is what it would have been like if I hadn't had SA. This is how much easier it would have been. And this is how much easier it is for people who don't have SA.
Everything was clear to me then. In a way I also felt incredibly validated. My difficulties because of SA have been very, very real.
So actually after that experience I can't say that any advantages could even begin to outweigh the huge disadvantage that this has caused, unfortunately.