should more public awarness be raised on social phobia?
- Thread starter shy_girl
- Start date
Yeah on one hand it sucks that most people have no idea how you feel, but on the other it would also suck if people knew that you had SA. Well at least I think it would suck if non-SA people knew about my SA. I would feel even more self-conscious in social situations if people knew exactly how anxious I felt and would feel like they were watching me to see how I was.
People who know me already know I'm pretty shy, and that's as much about my problems as I want them to know.
I guess it's kinda like how people with physical disabilities hate people treating them differently because they're disabled.
People who know me already know I'm pretty shy, and that's as much about my problems as I want them to know.
I guess it's kinda like how people with physical disabilities hate people treating them differently because they're disabled.
Scottish_Player
Well-known member
If SA makes the news it will be the craze for that time to have SA like when david beckham told he had OCD before you new it everyone and their auntie started saying they had OCD :roll:
uk_27
Well-known member
Yeah, I agree with you all. Somtimes I really wish people knew what I was goin through though. People in my office think I'm a rude miserable bastard and therefore treat me like one. Especially my boss. If I make the effort to communicate (and it takes a lot of effort) he either ignores me or just gives me one word or short answers as if to say "I don't want to talk to you". This just makes the whole chance of progess in that environment almost impossible.
It's at times like this that I get really pissed off and often wish people knew about SA. If a disabled person was struggling to get through a door, these people wouldn't put an obsticle course infront of them, sit down and watch as they struggled, sniggering and goin "what a looser". They would try to make the situation easier for them. I have even considered telling my boss about my situation because I have been so pissed off with his attitude. But as you all mention above, perhaps it would be best left that people were uneducated on it. I really can't make up my mind!!!!!!!! :? Take care my anxious friends!
It's at times like this that I get really pissed off and often wish people knew about SA. If a disabled person was struggling to get through a door, these people wouldn't put an obsticle course infront of them, sit down and watch as they struggled, sniggering and goin "what a looser". They would try to make the situation easier for them. I have even considered telling my boss about my situation because I have been so pissed off with his attitude. But as you all mention above, perhaps it would be best left that people were uneducated on it. I really can't make up my mind!!!!!!!! :? Take care my anxious friends!
nerdgirl178
Well-known member
uk_27 said:
Thats the cutest post I read :wink:
Emma
Well-known member
Haha, I haven't seen that ad, but I took Zoloft for about 7 years.....all those people who think that we're all weird and that we're crazy, well maybe it's them.....I think it's weird that people think it's ok to insult other people about something they have no idea about, I think it's strange that people would look down their noses, and I think that its really weird that people who are loud and rude are not judged like we are for being quiet, how can we be judged if we don't actually say anything much? And how can someone who's loud and rude be encouraged by others for it and we are not?
What exactly is normal?
People who sit and judge us should probably get their heads out of their assholes before they suffocate from being so full of shit
What exactly is normal?
People who sit and judge us should probably get their heads out of their assholes before they suffocate from being so full of shit
hey uk_27...your post made me laugh...good points..like you..i am really misunderstood at work and people likely think i'm a snob, rude..or just uninterested..if they only knew how i was feeling on the inside 8O ..but, i am really hesitant to tell anyone cause then..i can just imagine them watching me for the signs and quirks..and my uncomfortableness...and the cycle just getting worse :roll:uk_27 said:
Lonelyheart
Well-known member
Edith said:Does anybody remember those commercials from like 8 or 9 years ago... the ones about social phobia? The Zoloft commercials.
These ones:
Anyway, I was watching TV with my family and that commercial came on and everyone kinda looked over at me with these "Uh-oh... she's fucking nuts" looks on there faces, like they thought "She's got it, she needs meds" and I was some kinda freak. My sister said "HA! I think that's what you have! You have a disorder... you really are crazy!" to which I said "Fuck you, I do not!" :x
Then at school (I was in the 8th grade or something) people in my class would tease me about it, or go "Have you seen that Zoloft commercial? are you nuts like that?"
So, yes, I think it would be nice for people to know what it is and what it's about, but not in an ignorant, half-truths and assumptions kinda way, which is what those commercials did for me. If its going to be done, it should be done properly, or else a lot more bad than good will come out of it.
Hi Edith,
I remeber that Zoloft commercial and I agree with what you said about properly educating people about social anxiety. I think that all high shools should require at least one class in psychology for all students. I've taken a few psychology classes in college and those classes have helped me to understand myself and others. There are so many disorders out there that I didn't even know about, and a large portions of the population suffers from a disorder. In fact, the rate of mental disturbances in the U.S. are about 30%.
FlirtyandDirty
Well-known member
Scottish_Player said:
It might be true though. I started a counselling course and on the first day, I found out that three of us were SA. The next week I found out there was another one who was getting over SA. It's more common than you might think. There were only 12 in the class, so that made 1 in 3.
I think that SA should be brought out into the open more. How else can people learn and undersatnd if they don't know?
cutekoala
Member
The only thing is...I don't want people making allowances for me or being nice just because they know I've got a problem, to me that's even worse thgan being treated like poo - I just want to be 'normal' whatever that is and live life without having to feel like a walking excuse....(as i assume most people here would)
FB2190
Member
I for one wish the problem would be brought to national attention. I'm tired of people without it just dismissing those of us who suffer from sa/sp as weird or unfriendly. Their attitude is "just get over it!" They don't realize just how debilitating this condition can be. AND IT'S REAL!! It's just as real as any other handicap. Of course, the awareness would only be as good as the people receiving it. The world is full of jerks (one born every minute), and many would neither try to understand or make adjustments in the way they treat someone with the illness. But I do wish the national media, maybe talk shows would address this condition. But they need to make sure the public understands that we're NORMAL people handicapped by ABMORMAL fears.
If schools/teachers would focus more on this, perhaps they could save a
lot of kids a lot of torment from the other students. Knowing how to guide someone with sa/sp and knowing how to provide opportunities for good interaction could go a long way to helping people that don't even know they have this condition yet.
Moreover, if the public could be made to understand that the individual is not just being weird, quite, curious, scared, strange or unfriendly, they
would be more comfortable approaching those who have it.
Awareness is usually a positive thing.
If schools/teachers would focus more on this, perhaps they could save a
lot of kids a lot of torment from the other students. Knowing how to guide someone with sa/sp and knowing how to provide opportunities for good interaction could go a long way to helping people that don't even know they have this condition yet.
Moreover, if the public could be made to understand that the individual is not just being weird, quite, curious, scared, strange or unfriendly, they
would be more comfortable approaching those who have it.
Awareness is usually a positive thing.
cutekoala
Member
...I agree to an extent, but aren't we suggesting in a way by calling for more awareness that it's not us that needs to change, but society which needs to become more understanding, and if so, surely that's rather selfish? (P.S not trying to be rude, just attempting to consider how people without S.P might respond to this)
FB2190
Member
cutekoala, your point is well taken. But, let me be clear........
No, I don't think society should go out of their way to accomodate those of us with sa/sp, or that we should be treated with special priviledges, but maybe if the public could just practice a certain niceness toward us (actually people should just learn to be nicer, more polite to each other anyway) that wouldn't inconvenience anyone. A kind smile, a gentle hello, or just a nob to acknowledge that we're there would help so much.
Speaking for myself, if a stranger shows just the least little bit of "niceness," it puts me so much more at ease. We don't have to become best friends or anything, but just simple civility and kindness is all I'm asking.
I'm from the south. Not all southerners are nice, but there was a time that for a large part, southerners were brought up to be friendlier, kinder, polite and respectful. That's not necessarily so anymore. We're losing that unfortunately. So many people it seems are just JERKS!!
And kids (I get so tired of hearing people say "that's just kids" when they're abusive, mean, disrespectful to other kids for any reason) kids should be educated about sa/sp. Then, they should be monitored closely so that at a minimum, they don't terroize anxious or phobic kids. That's one of the worst situations a kid can find themselves in. Becoming the picked on, abused, laughed at, weird kid. Because we're easy targets, the loud, pompass, idiots feel emplowered and emboldened when they can demoralize someone else. That just isn't right. And to justify it by saying "that's just kids" or "that's the way it's always been, isn't acceptable. Shouldn't someone be watching to at least make sure this doesn't happen to any kid for any reason?
I guess I just wish people were nicer to each other. Even when the answer is no, there's a way to respond to people with kindness, respect,
so that the person isn't destoyed and humiliated.
Maybe that isn't possible for humans. Maybe I just don't get it. Sigh.....
No, I don't think society should go out of their way to accomodate those of us with sa/sp, or that we should be treated with special priviledges, but maybe if the public could just practice a certain niceness toward us (actually people should just learn to be nicer, more polite to each other anyway) that wouldn't inconvenience anyone. A kind smile, a gentle hello, or just a nob to acknowledge that we're there would help so much.
Speaking for myself, if a stranger shows just the least little bit of "niceness," it puts me so much more at ease. We don't have to become best friends or anything, but just simple civility and kindness is all I'm asking.
I'm from the south. Not all southerners are nice, but there was a time that for a large part, southerners were brought up to be friendlier, kinder, polite and respectful. That's not necessarily so anymore. We're losing that unfortunately. So many people it seems are just JERKS!!
And kids (I get so tired of hearing people say "that's just kids" when they're abusive, mean, disrespectful to other kids for any reason) kids should be educated about sa/sp. Then, they should be monitored closely so that at a minimum, they don't terroize anxious or phobic kids. That's one of the worst situations a kid can find themselves in. Becoming the picked on, abused, laughed at, weird kid. Because we're easy targets, the loud, pompass, idiots feel emplowered and emboldened when they can demoralize someone else. That just isn't right. And to justify it by saying "that's just kids" or "that's the way it's always been, isn't acceptable. Shouldn't someone be watching to at least make sure this doesn't happen to any kid for any reason?
I guess I just wish people were nicer to each other. Even when the answer is no, there's a way to respond to people with kindness, respect,
so that the person isn't destoyed and humiliated.
Maybe that isn't possible for humans. Maybe I just don't get it. Sigh.....
ignisfatuus
Well-known member
I'm surprised this question is even being raised. The answer should be a clear-cut, resounding, "Of course!" Increased recognition leads to more research, better treatment, and enforced tolerance as the disorder is added to the politically correct pantheon. Not only does it benefit those who suffer SA, but society at large, as the lost productivity resulting from the condition can be recovered.