Hello Essay Fourmers! I'm in need of a review of my research essay about social anxiety. The Essay includes: a rhetorical scenario introductions, shyness vs social anxiety, the contagiousness of this social disorder, and the various treatment methods. Feel Free to constructively critic my ENG 102 research paper as needed... Thank you for your time! :)
Simple Social Tasks Leading to Formidable Anxiety
An alarm sets off for 3:30 am in the morning, though sleepless, a deep and agonizing sigh follows, 'It's grocery shopping day'. Since it is so early in the morning, knowingly, that less people in the store which provides only a little relief and motivation to begin a trip to the the 24-hour Market. Upon arrival and examining the market's parking lot, with only a few cars, thinking, 'Okay, it seems safe enough'. Then proceeding to the store, and step in front of the same sliding doors just like on every shopping day but yet, it causes an overwhelming rush of anxiety once they automatically open and that happens EVERY.SINGLE.TIME. A sledge hammering-like pounding heart follows, then a greeting person proceeds with a friendly, "Welcome to...", but, unable to hear the rest, because of the desperate scampering to reach the very back of the store to ensure arrival. Thinking only about the two tasks: One, pick up items and two, get out quick. After picking up items and upon approaching the breakfast aisle, there is a blur of someone and thinking, 'It's okay, just wont have cereal for a week', because passing and interacting with a person in an aisle is not a task for shopping day. 'Alright, I'm done with getting everything else now I just have to go to the self checkout, wait?! They are broken?! I'll have to go to the Cashier!'. Once gathering enough strength to make a way to the cashier, the already pounding heart has intensified, now a feeling of nausea arrives, and sweat has been dripping profusely, and not to mention in the most embarrassing parts. Then rushing to put all the items on the conveyer belt the cashier proceeds with a friendly hello but, only reply with a shaky, "Good Afternoon, right?!", Immediately thinking, 'WHY DID I SAY THAT?! They must think I'm so dumb! It's 4am! Not the afternoon!", as thoughts continually trounce through the mind, the Cashier is already finished. Then, trembling hands begin to reach and slide the debit card and proceed to sign a shaky signature. "Cash back?", the cashier asks and only managing to node, 'no', because how could you possibly speak to the cashier again? Once all the groceries were placed into the basket it is time to exit. Finally, reaching outside without a person in sight, relief surges throughout the body after leaving that allegedly crowded horrid market. This is, however, only one instance of the many anxiety attacks that an individual with Social Anxiety Disorder will suffer throughout their life. As already implied in the earlier scenario, social anxiety disorders can be debilitating and lead to extremely restricting to an everyday life. Variances of this level of social avoidance and symptoms of anxiety affects many, and according to the Anxiety disorders and Depression Association of America, "Anxiety disorders are the most common mental illness in the U.S., affecting 40 million adults in the United States", and 15 million of those anxiety disorders are related to social anxiety (ADDA). These statistics are continually growing in the American population due to people's own life events and in recent times. Commonly, shyness and social anxiety are alike in a matter that imposes complications for an individual to comfortably interact but, Social anxiety is a proliferating mental illness that strongly impedes on multitudes of lives, and the lack of awareness of such treatable disease, leaves many to ongoing suffering.
Many individuals may view social anxiety as the same characteristics of shyness, after all, in the Merriam Webster dictionary defines the adjective of shyness in these three ways: one, "feeling nervous and uncomfortable about meeting and talking to people", two, "showing that you are nervous and uncomfortable about meeting and talking to people", and three, "tending to avoid something because of nervousness, fear, dislike, etc.". And Yes, these characteristics are exhibited in the previous scenario but, Psychiatric professionals differentiate shyness from social anxiety, from the levels of anxiety an individual faces. Prior to diagnosing social anxiety disorder a professional will utilize diagnostic criteria the will scale from normal to pathological persistent fear. Below conceptualizes and generally expresses the scale of which no social phobia exists to an avoidant personality disorder.
"Fig. 1. Spectrum model of shyness as it relates to social phobia"(San Diego State University). The Department of Psychology, San Diego State University, realized the the close nature of both shyness and social anxiety, and sought to scrutinze the relationships these two characteristics by screening 2202 participants that were either considered a 40-60% percentile of the level of shyness or pathological, according to diagnostic criteria used by psychiatric professionals. The study conducted test by using questionnaires that measure the intensity of symptoms displayed in social anxiety which include: "blushing, profuse sweating, trembling, nausea or other abdominal distress, rapid heartbeat, shortness of breath, dizziness or lightheadedness, headaches, and feelings of detachment and loss of self-control."(Anxiety disorders and Depression Association of America) They also studied the etiology, life events, and the level of impairment of diagnosed and undiagnosed individuals. There conclusion, "More specifically, shyness in and of itself is not necessarily synonymous with social phobia; however shyness in the presence of persistent social skills deficits or pervasive cognitive biases may significantly increase the likelihood of a social phobia diagnosis."(San Diego State University). Throughout their studies recognizes the correlation of both traits yet distinguishes that social anxiety disorder is a medical condition that has been pathologically induced and in which, causes impairment therefore making it an illness. Whereas, shyness is not an illness due to the lesser intensity but, if symptoms persists and intensifies it can potentially become diagnosed as Social Anxiety Disorder. Consequently, with the ever present growing epidemic of throughout the world and potential for shy people to have social disorder, does that make social anxiety disorder a contagious disease?
The prior question may seem puzzling because there is no biological organisms present such as, 'catching a cold' on a weak immune system but, in perspective of a social setting such as, contagious laughter, studies suggests that social anxiety is contagious as well. Author Robinson in Social Anxiety : Symptoms, Causes, And Techniques , reiterates and concludes the findings of Ellsworth & Ludwig a study conducted in 2008, with this the following statement, "When this unintended message is received and taken at face value, it leads their interaction partners to begin to doubt themselves and to turn their own thoughts inward to determine what they "might have done wrong" to elicit such an unwelcoming response. As a direct result of this negative self-reflection, non-socially anxious partners begin to adopt some of their socially anxious partners' more guarded and distant behaviors in order to protect themselves from any further apparent rejection. (Robinson 88)" This scenario suggests the contagiousness in a social dynamic that can create socially anxiety and an illness can occur potentially overtime. This perspective is on an interpersonal level of social anxiety. On a larger perspective, that demonstrates the contagiousness of social anxiety throughout various nations is Yumiko Nara's study, that conducted a cross cultural examine of anxiety and a trust in their governing system of Japan, China, and the United States. There are so many components that can contribute to the anxiety level of a nation, and Nara chose to conduct his study on a macro-level to understand a society's overall anxiety. The graph below, shows a general analysis assessment to determine the social system's of the three nations.
This will provide the correlation of people of a particular nation's level of trust in their nation's social system and consider the everyday risks of people in a particular nation. The survey conducted focused on gathered five pieces of information from a person basic attributes, anxiety of potentially risks the nation can suffer from, amount of coping from the potential risks, access to media, trust in government and the level science accuracy. With all of the components surveyed through various people, of various nations the conclusion that Yukimo Naro came to and robinson reiterated, "we can expect the level of anxiety about everyday life risks to be lower in China and the U.S. than in Japan, and this was confirmed by the results of this empirically in this study. The probability of large earthquakes,for example, is the highest in Japan among the three countries so it is natural that the Japanese are the most anxious about earthquakes. However, the Japanese also feel the most anxious about risks that have almost the same or a lower probability in Japan than in the other two countries, such as cancer,traffic accidents, and Internet crime.' (Robinson 130) Yukimo study is very interesting because just as the epidemic of an infectious virus such as smallpox, in the early 1600's that affected American nation (Reardon), the level of contagiousness is very similar to social anxiety affecting overall nation. Though social anxiety is epidemic to various nations the conditions of social phobia disorder can be treated and cured.
According to Singh & Hope, 2009 study that social Anxiety Disorder is a treatable condition and through awareness and knowledge there is various methods to manage and cure symptoms of this disabling disorder. The method to treat used Social Anxiety Disorder Exposure Therapy which focuses on building stronger social skills and develop comfort for patients with social anxiety. This is a Psychoanalytic therapy that is based on the theories to help cure mental illnesses and focus to minimize anxiety, and understands that social avoidance is pathologic and can be dilapidated and create new healthy habits with the right amount of treatment. The therapy treats the cognitive thoughts and feelings associated with the social anxiety. This is done by challenging the tragic belief systems of Social disorder patients and identify the automatic thoughts that trigger anxiety attacks. Then, the cognitive therapy will redirect the belief system to help Patients to reinterpret situation (Robinson 140). Another way to treat this mental disorder is, Biological treatment uses Pharmaceuticals and alternative supplements to treat the symptoms of social anxiety. Pharmaceuticals are drugs formulated to treat or relieve symptoms of social anxieties. Antidepressants, that work to regulate the serotonin levels of the brain. Anti-anxiety medication, are designed to relax and can be used prior to social situations. Beta blockers, are used to block the adrenaline rush that causes the intense symptoms of social anxiety.(Bandelow, Borwin 82,83) The are various natural supplements to help relieve forms of anxiety. Such as Kava, works to meditate and relax the body, Valerian, also works to relax and can be used to aid sleep, and Vitamin B and folic acid, work to relieve anxiety by affecting the neurotransmitters chemical responses to help promote proper brain function(Mayo Clinic Staff). With all of these various treatments available it will only take knowledge and awareness of this disabling disease to access professional psychiatric help, to relieve the disabling disorder of social anxiety and social anxiety disorder.
Millions are affected daily with variations of social anxiety which is extremely disabling will the amount of social avoidance and anxiety to deal with. This disorder is a worldly problem and creates an incredibly amount of stress with anyone who comes in contact with such a socially contagious disease. Yet, the redeeming quality is that this condition is indeed a very treatable condtions, and with the right amount of information, assistance of a psychiatric professional, and the motivation to continually treat the mental disorder one could dramatically cure the detrimental thoughts and symptoms that social anxiety causes.
Works Cited
"Shyness" Def. 1,2, & 3. Merriam Webster Online, Merriam Webster, n.d. Web. 20 June. 2014.
Chavira, Denise A., Murray B. Stein, and Vanessa L. Malcarne. "Scrutinizing The Relationship Between Shyness And Social Phobia." Journal Of Anxiety Disorders 16.6 (2002): 585. Academic Search Premier. Web. 20 June 2014.
Facts & Statistics. Anxiety disorders and Depression Association of America. 2010. Web. 24 May 2014
Robinson, Theresa M. Social Anxiety : Symptoms, Causes, And Techniques. New York: Nova Science Publishers, 2010. eBook Collection (EBSCOhost). Web. 24 May 2014.
Reardon, Sara. "Infectious Diseases: Smallpox Watch." Nature 509.7498 (2014): 22-24. MEDLINE. Web. 20 June 2014.
Bandelow, Borwin, et al. "Guidelines For The Pharmacological Treatment Of Anxiety Disorders, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder And Posttraumatic Stress Disorder In Primary Care." International Journal Of Psychiatry In Clinical Practice 16.2 (2012): 82-83. Academic Search Premier. Web. 20 June 2014.
Mayo Clinic Staff. "Alternative medicine." Mayo Clinic, n.d. Web. 24 May 2014.
Simple Social Tasks Leading to Formidable Anxiety
An alarm sets off for 3:30 am in the morning, though sleepless, a deep and agonizing sigh follows, 'It's grocery shopping day'. Since it is so early in the morning, knowingly, that less people in the store which provides only a little relief and motivation to begin a trip to the the 24-hour Market. Upon arrival and examining the market's parking lot, with only a few cars, thinking, 'Okay, it seems safe enough'. Then proceeding to the store, and step in front of the same sliding doors just like on every shopping day but yet, it causes an overwhelming rush of anxiety once they automatically open and that happens EVERY.SINGLE.TIME. A sledge hammering-like pounding heart follows, then a greeting person proceeds with a friendly, "Welcome to...", but, unable to hear the rest, because of the desperate scampering to reach the very back of the store to ensure arrival. Thinking only about the two tasks: One, pick up items and two, get out quick. After picking up items and upon approaching the breakfast aisle, there is a blur of someone and thinking, 'It's okay, just wont have cereal for a week', because passing and interacting with a person in an aisle is not a task for shopping day. 'Alright, I'm done with getting everything else now I just have to go to the self checkout, wait?! They are broken?! I'll have to go to the Cashier!'. Once gathering enough strength to make a way to the cashier, the already pounding heart has intensified, now a feeling of nausea arrives, and sweat has been dripping profusely, and not to mention in the most embarrassing parts. Then rushing to put all the items on the conveyer belt the cashier proceeds with a friendly hello but, only reply with a shaky, "Good Afternoon, right?!", Immediately thinking, 'WHY DID I SAY THAT?! They must think I'm so dumb! It's 4am! Not the afternoon!", as thoughts continually trounce through the mind, the Cashier is already finished. Then, trembling hands begin to reach and slide the debit card and proceed to sign a shaky signature. "Cash back?", the cashier asks and only managing to node, 'no', because how could you possibly speak to the cashier again? Once all the groceries were placed into the basket it is time to exit. Finally, reaching outside without a person in sight, relief surges throughout the body after leaving that allegedly crowded horrid market. This is, however, only one instance of the many anxiety attacks that an individual with Social Anxiety Disorder will suffer throughout their life. As already implied in the earlier scenario, social anxiety disorders can be debilitating and lead to extremely restricting to an everyday life. Variances of this level of social avoidance and symptoms of anxiety affects many, and according to the Anxiety disorders and Depression Association of America, "Anxiety disorders are the most common mental illness in the U.S., affecting 40 million adults in the United States", and 15 million of those anxiety disorders are related to social anxiety (ADDA). These statistics are continually growing in the American population due to people's own life events and in recent times. Commonly, shyness and social anxiety are alike in a matter that imposes complications for an individual to comfortably interact but, Social anxiety is a proliferating mental illness that strongly impedes on multitudes of lives, and the lack of awareness of such treatable disease, leaves many to ongoing suffering.
Many individuals may view social anxiety as the same characteristics of shyness, after all, in the Merriam Webster dictionary defines the adjective of shyness in these three ways: one, "feeling nervous and uncomfortable about meeting and talking to people", two, "showing that you are nervous and uncomfortable about meeting and talking to people", and three, "tending to avoid something because of nervousness, fear, dislike, etc.". And Yes, these characteristics are exhibited in the previous scenario but, Psychiatric professionals differentiate shyness from social anxiety, from the levels of anxiety an individual faces. Prior to diagnosing social anxiety disorder a professional will utilize diagnostic criteria the will scale from normal to pathological persistent fear. Below conceptualizes and generally expresses the scale of which no social phobia exists to an avoidant personality disorder.
"Fig. 1. Spectrum model of shyness as it relates to social phobia"(San Diego State University). The Department of Psychology, San Diego State University, realized the the close nature of both shyness and social anxiety, and sought to scrutinze the relationships these two characteristics by screening 2202 participants that were either considered a 40-60% percentile of the level of shyness or pathological, according to diagnostic criteria used by psychiatric professionals. The study conducted test by using questionnaires that measure the intensity of symptoms displayed in social anxiety which include: "blushing, profuse sweating, trembling, nausea or other abdominal distress, rapid heartbeat, shortness of breath, dizziness or lightheadedness, headaches, and feelings of detachment and loss of self-control."(Anxiety disorders and Depression Association of America) They also studied the etiology, life events, and the level of impairment of diagnosed and undiagnosed individuals. There conclusion, "More specifically, shyness in and of itself is not necessarily synonymous with social phobia; however shyness in the presence of persistent social skills deficits or pervasive cognitive biases may significantly increase the likelihood of a social phobia diagnosis."(San Diego State University). Throughout their studies recognizes the correlation of both traits yet distinguishes that social anxiety disorder is a medical condition that has been pathologically induced and in which, causes impairment therefore making it an illness. Whereas, shyness is not an illness due to the lesser intensity but, if symptoms persists and intensifies it can potentially become diagnosed as Social Anxiety Disorder. Consequently, with the ever present growing epidemic of throughout the world and potential for shy people to have social disorder, does that make social anxiety disorder a contagious disease?
The prior question may seem puzzling because there is no biological organisms present such as, 'catching a cold' on a weak immune system but, in perspective of a social setting such as, contagious laughter, studies suggests that social anxiety is contagious as well. Author Robinson in Social Anxiety : Symptoms, Causes, And Techniques , reiterates and concludes the findings of Ellsworth & Ludwig a study conducted in 2008, with this the following statement, "When this unintended message is received and taken at face value, it leads their interaction partners to begin to doubt themselves and to turn their own thoughts inward to determine what they "might have done wrong" to elicit such an unwelcoming response. As a direct result of this negative self-reflection, non-socially anxious partners begin to adopt some of their socially anxious partners' more guarded and distant behaviors in order to protect themselves from any further apparent rejection. (Robinson 88)" This scenario suggests the contagiousness in a social dynamic that can create socially anxiety and an illness can occur potentially overtime. This perspective is on an interpersonal level of social anxiety. On a larger perspective, that demonstrates the contagiousness of social anxiety throughout various nations is Yumiko Nara's study, that conducted a cross cultural examine of anxiety and a trust in their governing system of Japan, China, and the United States. There are so many components that can contribute to the anxiety level of a nation, and Nara chose to conduct his study on a macro-level to understand a society's overall anxiety. The graph below, shows a general analysis assessment to determine the social system's of the three nations.
This will provide the correlation of people of a particular nation's level of trust in their nation's social system and consider the everyday risks of people in a particular nation. The survey conducted focused on gathered five pieces of information from a person basic attributes, anxiety of potentially risks the nation can suffer from, amount of coping from the potential risks, access to media, trust in government and the level science accuracy. With all of the components surveyed through various people, of various nations the conclusion that Yukimo Naro came to and robinson reiterated, "we can expect the level of anxiety about everyday life risks to be lower in China and the U.S. than in Japan, and this was confirmed by the results of this empirically in this study. The probability of large earthquakes,for example, is the highest in Japan among the three countries so it is natural that the Japanese are the most anxious about earthquakes. However, the Japanese also feel the most anxious about risks that have almost the same or a lower probability in Japan than in the other two countries, such as cancer,traffic accidents, and Internet crime.' (Robinson 130) Yukimo study is very interesting because just as the epidemic of an infectious virus such as smallpox, in the early 1600's that affected American nation (Reardon), the level of contagiousness is very similar to social anxiety affecting overall nation. Though social anxiety is epidemic to various nations the conditions of social phobia disorder can be treated and cured.
According to Singh & Hope, 2009 study that social Anxiety Disorder is a treatable condition and through awareness and knowledge there is various methods to manage and cure symptoms of this disabling disorder. The method to treat used Social Anxiety Disorder Exposure Therapy which focuses on building stronger social skills and develop comfort for patients with social anxiety. This is a Psychoanalytic therapy that is based on the theories to help cure mental illnesses and focus to minimize anxiety, and understands that social avoidance is pathologic and can be dilapidated and create new healthy habits with the right amount of treatment. The therapy treats the cognitive thoughts and feelings associated with the social anxiety. This is done by challenging the tragic belief systems of Social disorder patients and identify the automatic thoughts that trigger anxiety attacks. Then, the cognitive therapy will redirect the belief system to help Patients to reinterpret situation (Robinson 140). Another way to treat this mental disorder is, Biological treatment uses Pharmaceuticals and alternative supplements to treat the symptoms of social anxiety. Pharmaceuticals are drugs formulated to treat or relieve symptoms of social anxieties. Antidepressants, that work to regulate the serotonin levels of the brain. Anti-anxiety medication, are designed to relax and can be used prior to social situations. Beta blockers, are used to block the adrenaline rush that causes the intense symptoms of social anxiety.(Bandelow, Borwin 82,83) The are various natural supplements to help relieve forms of anxiety. Such as Kava, works to meditate and relax the body, Valerian, also works to relax and can be used to aid sleep, and Vitamin B and folic acid, work to relieve anxiety by affecting the neurotransmitters chemical responses to help promote proper brain function(Mayo Clinic Staff). With all of these various treatments available it will only take knowledge and awareness of this disabling disease to access professional psychiatric help, to relieve the disabling disorder of social anxiety and social anxiety disorder.
Millions are affected daily with variations of social anxiety which is extremely disabling will the amount of social avoidance and anxiety to deal with. This disorder is a worldly problem and creates an incredibly amount of stress with anyone who comes in contact with such a socially contagious disease. Yet, the redeeming quality is that this condition is indeed a very treatable condtions, and with the right amount of information, assistance of a psychiatric professional, and the motivation to continually treat the mental disorder one could dramatically cure the detrimental thoughts and symptoms that social anxiety causes.
Works Cited
"Shyness" Def. 1,2, & 3. Merriam Webster Online, Merriam Webster, n.d. Web. 20 June. 2014.
Chavira, Denise A., Murray B. Stein, and Vanessa L. Malcarne. "Scrutinizing The Relationship Between Shyness And Social Phobia." Journal Of Anxiety Disorders 16.6 (2002): 585. Academic Search Premier. Web. 20 June 2014.
Facts & Statistics. Anxiety disorders and Depression Association of America. 2010. Web. 24 May 2014
Robinson, Theresa M. Social Anxiety : Symptoms, Causes, And Techniques. New York: Nova Science Publishers, 2010. eBook Collection (EBSCOhost). Web. 24 May 2014.
Reardon, Sara. "Infectious Diseases: Smallpox Watch." Nature 509.7498 (2014): 22-24. MEDLINE. Web. 20 June 2014.
Bandelow, Borwin, et al. "Guidelines For The Pharmacological Treatment Of Anxiety Disorders, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder And Posttraumatic Stress Disorder In Primary Care." International Journal Of Psychiatry In Clinical Practice 16.2 (2012): 82-83. Academic Search Premier. Web. 20 June 2014.
Mayo Clinic Staff. "Alternative medicine." Mayo Clinic, n.d. Web. 24 May 2014.
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