Shyness is becoming increasingly common throughout a wide variety of people, which ranges from children, as well as adults. One of the main reasons for this, more or less, sudden shyness explosion is the ever increasing worldwide use of enhanced technology the internet and text messages, just to name a few. On the other hand, technology can also be used as a tool to combat shyness (which will be discussed in a later portion of this essay). Shyness is extremely common and is not considered Social Phobia (Social Anxiety Disorder), but the main focus of this essay, extreme shyness, in fact, is considered as such. Not only does the nervous system of a shy person tend to be much different when compared to a person who isn’t shy, but there are also many unattractive results of extreme shyness, which all have the possibility of becoming long-term. However, extreme shyness, though sometimes difficult to accomplish, is treatable. This essay will not only share some of the telling details of my own encounters of shyness, but will address the following questions:
1. What exactly is extreme shyness?
2. How do you know when extreme shyness is present?
3. What are some results of extreme shyness that could become long-term?
4. What exactly occurs in the nervous system of a shy individual?
5. What types of treatments are available to people with extreme shyness?
6. What role does the internet play for people with extreme shyness?
This essay on extreme shyness mainly focuses on answering these six questions.
What Exactly is Extreme Shyness?
According to the National Institute of Mental Health (as cited in Kalb, 2003, p. 47), extreme shyness affects over five million Americans. Shyness is the tendency to feel awkward, worried, or tense especially when unfamiliar people surround them (“Shyness,” n.d.). But extreme shyness can go so far as to make a person feel worthless and hinder them from progressing in their life. In other words, extreme shyness is the extreme fear and avoidance of social encounters (Wagner, 1998, p. 6).
How Do You Know When Extreme Shyness is Present?
Physical symptoms that are likely to be encountered by people with extreme shyness include blushing, sweating, a pounding heart or upset stomach; negative feelings about themselves; worries about how others view them; and a tendency to withdraw from social encounters (“Shyness,” n.d.). Beyond these, more in depth symptoms are usually exhibited, such as the following: persistent fear of social encounters in which they are exposed to unfamiliar people or to possible scrutiny of others; fear of humiliating or embarrassing themselves; exposure to a feared social encounter taking the form of a panic attack; recognition of fear that is excessive or unreasonable; avoiding feared social encounters, if possible, or enduring with intense anxiety or distress; and avoidance, anxious anticipation, or distress of a feared social encounter interfering significantly with their normal routine (work/academic functioning; social activities; relationships) (Mulhauser, n.d.).
What Are Some Results of Extreme Shyness That Could Become Long-Term?
Extreme shyness, which can vary by intensity, affects people in such a way that it can keep them from interacting with others even when they want or need to. This can lead to many problems concerning the workplace, school, relationships, and even within their own home just to name a few (“Shyness,” n.d.). For instance, a link between social anxiety and marriage rates were found in a study in France: “forty-three percent of individuals who reported symptoms of social anxiety were married, compared with sixty-five percent of those who reported no symptoms” (Rosenthal, Jacobs, Marcus, & Katzman, 2007, p. 371). Extreme shyness can become nearly unbearable to endure; low self-esteem and depression being only two of the most common long-term results (“Social Phobia,” n.d.). Other results of extreme shyness that could hinder most, if not all, positive progression in life include: constant last-minute cancellations of social encounters, whether or not they would prove to be a pleasant experience; few friends or none at all; passivity and pessimism; and excessive computer use, which could just make the problem worse (“Painful Shyness,” n.d.). The items above are just some of the long-term results that people with extreme shyness will possibly have to face every single day and, perhaps, for the rest of their lives if proper treatment is not received.
What Exactly Occurs in the Nervous System of a Shy Individual?
People with extreme shyness sense danger where it simply does not exist (“The Shy Brain,” 1995). The nervous system of shy individuals do not accommodate easily to new experiences, new people in other words, shy people are much more comfortable surrounded by things that are familiar to them. When a shy individual is approached by strangers or authority figures, for example, they most likely will associate them with fearful reactions the amygdala being the major player for relaying nerve signals related to emotions and stress (“The Shy Brain,” 1995).
As for contextual conditioning, rather than cue conditioning as seen above, when a shy person is exposed to an environment in which fears takes place, they will begin to associate general environments, such as parties or group discussions, with unpleasant feelings, even before the specific feared stimulus is present (“The Shy Brain,” 1995). Contextual conditioning is a joint venture between the amygdala and the hippocampus, the cell cluster near the amygdala, which is essential to memory and spatial learning. Contextual conditioning can be seen as a kind of learning about unpleasant places. But a crucial third party participates in contextual conditioning. It’s the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST). The long arms of its cells reach to many other areas of the brain, notably the hypothalamus and the brain stem, both of which spread the word of fear and anxiety to other parts of the body. The BNST is principally involved in the generalized emotional-behavior arousal characteristic of anxiety. The BNST may be set off by the neurotransmitter corticotropin releasing factor (CRF). Once alerted, the hypothalamus triggers the sympathetic nervous system, culminating in the symptoms of inner turmoil experienced by the shy from rapid heartbeat to sweaty paleness. Another pathway of information, from the amygdala to the brain stem, freezes movement of the mouth. (“The Shy Brain,” 1995)
Everyone has a “shyness thermostat.” When compared to the brain of a person who is not shy, the brain of a shy individual is exactly the same in structure; but certain parts of the brain are more sensitive that is what makes the difference.
What Types of Treatments Are Available to People With Extreme Shyness?
Although it can become a severe condition, extreme shyness especially in adults is treatable. Similar strategies, once more research has been conducted, may prove effective for treating childhood and adolescent shyness as well (Wagner, 1998, p. 6).
Generally, there are two main forms of effective treatment for extreme shyness: short-term psychotherapy (cognitive-behavioral therapy) and certain medications. The cognitive component in cognitive-behavior therapy (CBT) helps people change thinking patterns that keep them from overcoming their fears (“Social Phobia (Treatment),” n.d.). For example, people with extreme shyness may hold the belief that others are continually watching and harshly judging them'”the cognitive component of CBT can help combat this belief. The behavioral component of CBT seeks to help people become more comfortable with the situations that frighten them (“Social Phobia (Treatment),” n.d.). Exposure is a key element of this component, in which people confront the things they fear this will be carried out only when the person is ready; it will be done gradually and only with the person’s permission. While going through this process, people are often taught techniques such as deep breathing to control their anxiety. Other than the temporary discomfort of increased anxiety, no adverse side effects can occur from CBT (“Social Phobia (Treatment),” n.d.).
Along with psychotherapy, proper and effective medications may also play a role in treatment. “Medications include antidepressants such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), as well as drugs known as high-potency benzodiazepenes” (“Social Phobia (Treatment),” n.d.).
The most important thing is to keep in mind that treatment for extreme shyness does not work instantly and that no one specific treatment will work for every single patient. All in all, long-term recovery for most individuals who seek appropriate professional help can be accomplished.
What Role Does the Internet Play for People With Extreme Shyness?
The answer to this question varies from person to person. For example, some people agree that a person can be anyone they want to be on the Internet and yet mostly be themselves; it also brings comfort knowing that they will never meet the people they talk with and can immediately escape the situation as soon as they become uncomfortable. (Carducci, 2000) On the other hand, other people agree that “the Internet hinders people in overcoming their shyness. You can talk to someone but you don’t have to actually interact with them. You can sit in your room and not REALLY socialize” (Carducci).
Electronic extroversion is another strategy of shy individuals who are trying to combat or even deal with their shyness (Carducci, 2000). The Internet offers an alternative for people to socialize, as well as to gratify their emotional needs, which might otherwise be unmet (Chak & Leung, 2004, p. 561). However, it may also “increase their frustration and cause difficulties in real-life situations where social skills are not only required, but born and learned” (Carducci). Shy individuals might tend to use the Internet for communication more than others because of the anonymity that it provides and greater control over the time and pace of interactions (Madell & Muncer, 2006, p. 619). However, anonymity is the main danger of electronic extroversion because it makes it easy for shy individuals to falsely represent themselves and to deceive others, violating the trust that is the foundation of social life (Carducci).
Therefore, as is with many things in life: the Internet is a very useful, but powerful, tool. It is a tool that can either help a shy individual greatly or be the downfall of that same individual.
In conclusion, extreme shyness can and has destroyed lives, but this is one disorder that does not need to be attached to someone forever. By seeking help, lives can be turned around in more ways than ever imagined. It wouldn’t be easy, but it sure would be worth it.
SOURCES:
Carducci, B. (2000, January 1). Shyness: the new solution | psychology today. Retrieved from http://www.psychologytoday.com/articles/200001/shyness-the-new-solution?page=3
Chak, K., & Leung, L. (2004). Shyness and locus of control as predictors of internet addiction and internet use. CyberPsychology & Behavior, 7(5), Retrieved from http://lib1.lib.sunysuffolk.edu:2067/login.aspx?direct=true&db;=a9h&AN;=14974541&sitehost-live;
Kalb, C. (2003, July 14). Challenging ‘‹Å”extreme’ shyness. Newsweek, 142(2), Retrieved from http://lib1.lib.sunysuffolk.edu:2067/login.aspx?direct=true&db;=a9h&AN;=10187629&site;=ehost-live
Madell, D., & Muncer, S. (2006). Internet communication: an activity that appeals to shy and socially phobic people?. CyberPsychology & Behavior, 9(5), Retrieved from http://lib1.lib.sunysuffolk.edu:2067/login.aspx?direct=true&db;=a9h&AN;=22677441&site;=ehost-live
Mulhauser, G. (n.d.). Symptoms of social phobia (social anxiety disorder). Retrieved from http://counsellingresource.com/distress/anxiety-disorders/social-phobia-symptoms.html
Painful shyness. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.apa.org/helpcenter/shyness.aspx
Rosenthal, J., Jacobs, L., Marcus, M., & Katzman, M. A. (2007). Beyond shy: when to suspect social anxiety disorder. Journal of Family Practice, 56(5), Retrieved from http://lib1.lib.sunysuffolk.edu:2067/login.aspx?direct=true&db;=a9hAN=25274370&site;=ehost-live
Shyness. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.apa.org/topics/shyness/index.aspx
Social phobia | psychology today. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.psychologytoday.com/conditions/social-phobia
Social phobia (treatments) | psychology today. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.psychologytoday.com/conditions/social-phobia?tab=Treatments
The shy brain | psychology today. (1995, November 1). Retrieved from http://www.psychologytoday.com/articles/199511/the-shy-brain
Wagner, C. G. (1998). Cures for social phobia. Futurist, 32(9), Retrieved from http://lib1.lib.sunysuffolk.edu:2067/login.aspx?direct=true&db;=a9h&AN;=1333098&site;=ehost-live
