http://teenmentalhealth.

org/learn/mental-disorders/social-anxiety-disorder/​ :
● Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD): avoidance of social and performing situations to avoid
embarrassment or judgement from peers
● Social Anxiety disorder (social phobia) causes someone to be so afraid of being
negatively evaluated that it prevents the person from living a healthy life
● Examples: No participation in gym class due to judgement, no shopping, no usage of
public restrooms, and no volunteering in class
● Everyone has experienced a sense of social fear in their lives whether it is from nerves
or from discomforting seminars and speeches.
● People with actual social anxiety get fear and anxiety just from normal everyday social
situations
● People with the disorder are usually very lonely and feel insecure and put aside from the
norms in society because they are aware that their fears are unreasonable compared to
the average population’s fears
● Social anxiety begins between 8 and 15 years old on average for 75% of people with
Social Anxiety Disorder
● It is mainly caused from genetics, environment, and learning (how you were
raised/parental behaviors)
● “...you cannot diagnose someone with Social Anxiety Disorder without a proper
mental health assessment conducted by a properly trained health provider.” The
doctor can be a medical doctor, clinical psychologists, and other trained health
providers who have spent previous time with the patient.
● People with the disorder do everything they can to100% avoid the situation. If the
situation is not avoided, they experience major fear and anxiety
● Do not confuse social anxiety with: shyness, nerves for a performance or date. These
are able to be overcomed with practice and getting used to the situation
● People with social disorder are not able to control their anxiety with normal practices to
relax including:exercise, relaxation, and help from friends. They are also much more
intensely felt.

https://adaa.org/understanding-anxiety/social-anxiety-disorder​ :
● Symptoms of the disorder are: rapid heart rate, nausea, and sweating. If under a lot of
pressure or fear, attacks can occur
● Affects more than 15 million adult Americans
● “People with social anxiety disorder are also at an increased risk for developing major
depressive disorder and alcohol use disorders.”
● “Despite the availability of effective treatments, fewer than 5% of people with social
anxiety disorder seek treatment in the year following initial onset and more than a third of
people report symptoms for 10 or more years before seeking help.”

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/when-kids-call-the-shots/201905/social-anxiety-actin
g-class-can-help​ :
● Besides going to group therapy, acting is very helpful way to overcome social anxiety in
the interview with Terry Knickerbocker
● People are so focused internally when having the disorder. If you focus too much on
yourself, the attention and pressure is put more upon you ud to fear of judgement or
lookiing dumb
● Acting helps you focus externally and gives attention to the people you are interacting
with.
● Also, acting gives people a chance to connect with a different portion of one’s
personality and focus on the now rather than the future and of what you’re going to say