social anxiety is so so far from shyness, i don’t know how people try and say they’re the same. they say “oh you’re just a bit shy. you’ll get over it” all the time.
social anxiety can be debilitating. that’s why it can be a disorder. but some people dismiss it as mild or ‘no excuse’.
so here’s all the ways my social anxiety can Feel:
little or no breathing
shaking
feeling trapped or boxed-in
Dread
tunnel vision
heavy dissociation
very aware of body (movements, sounds)
terrified to make sound, move weird, look up from floor
feeling frozen and stiff
and here’s what people See:
“the most-laid back person i’ve ever met”
“very calm”
“thoughtful” (skdgdajajsh)
“man of few words”
“silently judgemental”
“above it all”
they see me as some peaceful guru. somehow, frozen in fear, blank facial expression, very dissociated, all translate to ‘calm’ in their heads. this is not because it’s ‘invisible’; they definitely see i’m acting differently. but they don’t know it’s anxiety. their idea of anxiety is a panic attack and hyperventilation, but ignore that anxiety can involve hypoventilation (link is to a site with a largely comprehensive list of anxiety symptoms). 🌹🌹
