Social Phobia...

10/18/2011

The results of a new study published by Rueters Health argues that the controversial diagnosis known as “social phobia” is a legitimate psychiatric disorder and is not the same as simple shyness. The focus of the study was teens… some who struggle in daily social situations, some who do not.

Essentially, researches were seeking to prove that psychiatric diagnoses are not “some kind of conspiracy” for people seeking attention.

While most researchers agree with the assessment that mental illness is very real, some are still not convinced that “social phobia” is a real phenomenon… they claim that the diagnosis is a fad and will soon give way to the next “big-thing” is the field of psychology. Opponents of the social phobia theory claim that because we live in a
culture that so heavily endorses therapy, shy teens are encouraged to conclude that they suffer from mental illness instead of recognizing that they are simply an introverted personality.

The National Institute of Mental Health characterizes social phobia as, “persistent, intense and chronic fear of being watched and judged by others and being embarrassed or humiliated by their own actions.”

Whatever your opinion on the issue of social phobia, we all need to work at getting rid of the negative stigma attached to mental illness... fear of being judged or mocked because of mental illness stops thousands, perhaps millions of people in our country from seeking the help they so desperately need.

drisanna w period 4

10/18/2011 12:36:20 pm

um, social phobia of people I can understand but just barely. but social phobia because your shy a line has been crossed there.

Anneliese period 6

10/19/2011 06:02:22 am

I think that people who need help should get it. They should forget about being judged, and just get the help they need.

Shawn Period 3

10/19/2011 06:10:52 am

I think it can be a problem because I am one of those people that have it. I feel fine that I have it but it would be nice to have more friends but other than that I am living a normal life like anyone else

Greg G Period 6

10/19/2011 06:52:24 am

Labels. That is what people are putting on everyone. It is tiring to hear label after label... it gets old. I mean REALLY? social phobia, OCD, ADD, ADHD and so many more. Why cant people just be called shy, or simply organized? Why does everyone have to be labeled? Not making any accusations.. but there is a lot of money in pharmaceuticals.. just saying.

Rebecca P Period 6

10/19/2011 07:09:42 am

I do think that social phobia is a real disorder. It's not just being shy. Trust me, I know the difference. I'm shy. I don't FEAR being in social situations though. I'm not constantly afraid that someone is watching me or judging me. There is a very big difference, and honestly, I don't think it's just a label for the sake of labeling things. I don't know the actual medical cause of this, but whose to say that this isn't real? What if the cause is an underdeveloped part of your brain that deals with social situations? That's a legitimate disorder.

Also, I completely agree that we need to get rid of the stigma that mentally ill people face. It's not fair. It's not their fault if they have a psychiatric disorder. For instance, people with Schizophrenia get called crazy all the time. People make fun of it and act like it's funny. They don't understand the amount of suffering that these people go through. Can you imagine hearing voices all the time? And let me assure you, they're not telling you wonderful things. Mentally ill people, even when they get help, still suffer a lot. A lot of disorders have no cure, and the treatments aren't very effective. They didn't ask to be sick.

Think about it. Would you make fun of someone with cancer? Would you call them ugly or weird because their hair fell out? Hopefully you wouldn't. It's the same with psychiatric disorders. People need to realize that.

Peter G. Period 3

10/19/2011 10:27:45 am

It could definately be a problem and if it affects you, you should just get the help rather than worry about what people will say. If it affects you, it's not like you can control it, so it a good idea to try and do something about it.

Kayla period 1

10/19/2011 12:01:52 pm

Depending on the person and the level of intensity I think it could be a real problem that needs therapy. There's a difference between being shy and being so insecure and shy that you can't be yourself in social settings.

Jin Period4

10/19/2011 12:09:39 pm

I agree that there actually is social phobia and that those who need help should get it, but sometimes those therapists or psychiatrists exaggerate everything. They make a big deal out of EVERYTHING you say. For example, "Im feeling a little tired recently." Ahem, they might take that as depression and there you go, prescription for medication. Or for this topic, "I sometimes feel lonely". Well then...you have social phobia! It should depend really on how severe it is rather than just a little momentary thought.

Only Kerslie in America

10/20/2011 01:11:39 am

i agree with Kayla. Theres many people in Pilgrim alone that dont associate with others and just live in their own world but i wouldnt classify that as a disorder. I also agree with Greg. There is a lot of money in pharmaceuticals and its all BUlL$h!*

Cody period 3

10/20/2011 06:55:37 am

It is possible for "socail phobia" to be a real illness. Certain people are born socailly awkward and it is not they're fault or choice.

Mel per. 2

10/20/2011 09:36:56 am

I believe that this could be possible. Some people do fear extremely what others think of them. When I'm somewhere by myself or without my friends or meeting new people, I'm extremly shy. I'm not afraid of what others are thinking though. Today I ran around the halls with a cape on and had a lot of fun with it. There is a difference between being unsure of yourself and being terrified of what others think.

Monica Period6

10/20/2011 10:28:11 am

I believe that there can be such as thing as "social phobia" or being to shy infront of people. Some people are just born and raised like that and its nothing they can change? They should not be, as Greg said, "Labled" for it. I think thats horrible. You should not care what other people think about you, just be yourself and dont care what others think. Every single person has there own flaws.

Rakel period 1

10/20/2011 11:50:56 am

I think it could be a real disorder and I think it's bad that people are not getting treatment for the illnesses they might have because they are afraid of what other people might think.

Jami Period 1

10/20/2011 12:03:43 pm

I think that society today has made people develop this disorder. I think the way people are judged today make people who have weaker self esteems become so scared that they thier mind really is harmed. I dont think its embarassing to be labled with a disorder because the sooner they research more they may be able to find the right kind of ways to cope with this.

Britney Period 1

10/20/2011 02:18:21 pm

While some people may be pretending to have a disorder or over reacting about being shy, i definitely think that some people may actually have this disease. I also see why people would not want to talk to anyone about it because they fear being judged. Todays society is so judgmental and harsh that a lot of people are afraid to do anything with the fear of being judged, and not a lot of people can put that away and just be themselves.

Heather Period 1

10/21/2011 07:46:01 am

I agree with what Britney said. Some people are really shy but you can't say that everyone who's shy has this disorder. Others however, may really have it.

Haley period 2

10/21/2011 12:24:37 pm

I think that this "disorder" is bull-poop. Being socially awkward is different than having a mental illness. Some people are just shy and get uncomfortable infront of people, and that is not having something wrong with them. I agree with Jami when she says that society has given people this disorder. That is my opinion. Ta-da.

Katelyn R Per 2

10/21/2011 12:31:28 pm

I think this disorder can be true and is another type of shyness. Some people may be shy around people they are not familiar with, while others may always feel uncomfortable around others, including friends. Some people are born in a different environment that may affect their social skills which may lead to this disorder. I believe this disorder is very similar to being shy but is a small step worse.

Corey Period 2

10/21/2011 12:53:17 pm

People who are shy need to realize that they need to open themselves up and live. But people was a mental disorder deserve the best help that they can receive. It is not fair that these people have to suffer because they are not experiencing life. I am not a shy person, which many realized today at Pep Rally. When I see or meet someone quiet, I always get pumped up so they can see that being open and talkitive is a great thing. No one should be excluded from society because of such a disorder.

Evan B Period 6

10/21/2011 01:33:25 pm

I think that if it will make a docotor rich and famous, then they will try to find the next medical craze of the new era, and I guess now it must be phobias. There such things as shy people, but I don't think that they would be so shy that thee would be a phobia made for it. This person just needs to switch docotors and go to some group therapy, that's all.

breannah 6

10/22/2011 04:14:14 am

There are alot of shy people in the world and a know quite a few people you could say are shy, but I have never heard of a case so severe that it would be called a social phobia. And a lot of people who are "shy" are only shy in crowds and only comfortable with certain people. Does that make them need to take medication and have labels put on them? i dont think so. I think there are people who could be classified to have social phobia but I think it would have to be way far past shy. Shy is a character trait not a mental disorder.

Paige Period 3

10/22/2011 12:48:50 pm

Everyone is so worried about what others think about them. If you have a problem you shouldnt be afraid to get help. I think some people exagerate whether or not they have a mental disorder for attention but it never hurts to look for help and get an answer from professionals

Adam Period 3

10/29/2011 01:48:10 am

I think that social phobia is fake, and some people fake it for some reason. I dont think its very hard to fake that its difficult for you to be social. If its real its going to be hard to prove.

Lindsay Period 1

10/31/2011 07:27:07 am

I think this is absolutley real. There are so many social, emotional, mental diseases that are still unknown today but people are suffering with! They aren't a big concern as a physical disease when they really should be.

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