Blogpost 6: Social Phobia

Are you afraid of being judged by someone? seeing you negatively? Then you might have a phobia called the Social Phobia. You're using your phone pretending that you're doing something even you don't or listening to music because you are avoiding to have a communication with others. Over apologizing to someone even you just commit mistake to him/her. When you are ask to speak in front then you're shaking because you're thinking about what will the audience will think about you. Eating to a fastfood restaurant alone because you don't want to stay to a place where someone can see you and ask you if why you are alone. That's the situations you can experience when you are facing this kind of phobia. But what is the real meaning of social phobia? 

I have read an article entitled What is Social Anxiety? by Thomas A. Richards from the website www.socialanxietyinstitute.org. 

Many of us or most of us have this phobia. We don't want to be judge by other people and being seen or evaluated as negatively that will lead us to avoid them. We're afraid to be humiliated because we don't want to have a bad image to others. This is common to someone who likes to be alone and don't want to socialize with other people. This is because when you experience it, you would feel bad about it and you will think to yourself that you're a something that a person doesn't want to be included to a group. You're worry that you will be looked down by other people. There's a sensations in our bodies too like we're sweating, blushing, our breath is shortening and lastly shaking. Lots of people around the world are suffering from this traumatic condition because they know that when a day will come again, they will still suffer and experience this thing and it's like a cycle that will never end maybe in highschool or elementary days. Thomas Richards has discussed also about the two social anxieties. The first one is the specific social anxiety which means afraid in speaking in front of many people or groups and the second one is the generalized social anxiety which means of being uncomfortable in many situations. This generalized social anxiety is more common to people because there are many people who are suffering from depression, blaming themself, embarassment and worry about something that has to do with you.

Thomas Richard said to his article that "Getting over social anxiety disorder is not an easy task, nor is it a difficult one. Many thousands of people have already done it". Yes it is not an easy task because I myself have experienced this too. This is difficult especially if you know that from the starting until the end, you're always alone and doesn't have a true friend. You're always feel uncomfortable to others and you will be conscious about what you are doing. This phobia can end by just seeking a psychologist who can understand the social phobia completely. Also remember, just wait because great things comes to a person who can wait. Maybe not now, but someday you can seek the happiness you want. This is just a challenge only, stay strong and face it. 

Being laughed at by many people is a pain that we can't explain. I've read an article entitled Afraid Of Being Laughed at? You're Far From Alone by Susan Krauss Whitbourne from the website www.psychologytoday.com. 

Most of us have encountered being laughed by our classmates, friends, and certain family member. Laughing with friends is an enjoyable part in our life because it let our problems be forgotten. But sometimes, most of them still continually joke about you that you know you're hurting already. Treating us by means of teasing or anything that destroys our image can lead us to be afraid of going to that situation again. We will ask ourselves of what personalities you have that are wrong or not liked by others. The fear of being shame to yourself in doing your tasks can take you to a disorder called social phobia. It damages our happiness. When someone we don't know laugh at us, it might be possible that someone you know talk about your personality because a stranger doesn't know you so why do he/she laughs at you right? And yes, it is very long for us to recover being laughed at and the tendency is you would think that it will be better if you'll be alone and don't have friends.

Susan Krauss said to her article that "If you want to maximize your own fulfillment, take stock of your own fear of being made fun of." This means that if you really want to remove this part of yours, there's still an option to change. To change is to give an efforts to it and just be yourself because the one who are making fun of you will also feel the pain in the future. 

We don't want to be judged especially to the people who knows us. But no matter what happens, don't give up. Social phobia is only a challenger for us. This will not be forever. Remember, judging someone is judging yourself.