Social Phobia (sometimes called Social Anxiety Disorder) is a nasty label to be given and one which I think is counter productive. It is much better to think of yourself as someone who can be shy, even very shy, rather than someone who has a lifelong condition as an inherent part of them. Social Phobia, like all phobias is eminently treatable…dare I use the word cure? The label given to very shy or nervous people by the medical/psychological status quo might be helpful for their administration and organisation, but is not at all helpful to your condition.
So how is it treated? Well, of course there are the drug therapies and the ubiquitous CBT which I talk about elsewhere on this site and in more detail. But what of something new, which as time moves on seems to become ever more likely as a cure or at least a very useful tool in the fight against the feelings that I refuse to label Social Phobia?
There has been much talk in the media lately of online worlds where people can meet new friends, run businesses and do almost anything that can be done in the normal world. I must admit that in my opinion these secondary worlds are completely pointless and a rather sad indictment of what our societies have become. But as these worlds advance and technologies move forward it did strike me that there is a a good use for them after all – treatment of Social Phobia!
The online world technology could be harnessed to allow people who are extremely shy or feel nervous in social situations (and have therefore been classed as social phobics) to create social situations which are entirely under their control. They could then experiment with different outcomes and watch the unfolding events either through their own eyes in first person or as an outside observer.
For a long time flight simulators have been used to help people with a fear of flight bridge the gap between imagining flying and actually getting on a plane. These online worlds could make a similar experience for social situations. But they would be better because they are cheaper, can be accessed from home, are more malleable and less daunting!
Here’s to the future!
Suffering from social phobia. Symptoms like
1. Fear of new people
2. Public speaking particularly in groups
3. Group meeting or large gatherings, uncomfortable walking in large gatherings, will become very stiff