11월19일 토픽 Social Phobia (대인 공포증)

[분홍돌고래]

Social Phobia (대인 공포증)

From Oprah Winfrey Show

She is terrified of people. It's a fear so paralyzing she can't drive or even shop. Now, she's going to face her fears in front of an audience of millions. This is a first.

Story 1

If you were a fan of The Bachelorette, you probably recognize Jamie Blyth. Though this model and athlete may seem outgoing, just a few years ago Jamie was so distraught being around people that he became hopeless and suicidal.

"Out of the blue, I had a panic attack. It felt like the world was coming down on me. I couldn't catch my breath. Utter terror. From that moment on, my life just completely changed."

"I remember wanting to cry all the time," Jamie explained. "I just felt like I was on the [edge] of complete breakdown." For a while he used alcohol to help him through difficult situations. When therapy wasn't helpful, Jamie hit rock bottom.

"I came to a fork in the road: One way was suicide, and [the other] was to fight this thing," Jamie said. He realized that in order to conquer his fears, he had to fight them head-on.

Today, Jamie is doing better than ever. "Over time, you gain confidence. You need perseverance and determination. You just can't quit," he explained. "Now I sort of enjoy the struggle, because I've been there before and I know I can win."

Jamie and Bob, a fellow contestant on The Bachelorette, have become good friends since the show. "I never would have expected [Jamie's social phobia]," Bob said. "I didn't realize what he had gone through until [after the first] day, when he told me he was ready to go home."

Now, Bob says, the two friends are a package deal. "We go out and Jamie gets himself rolling midway through, when he gets a little more comfortable."

Story 2

For NFL star Ricky Williams, his debilitating fear of people nearly ruined his career. A Miami Dolphin, Ricky is the top running back in the league. Two years ago, he would have rather faced a 350-pound linebacker than a few fans asking for autographs. Ricky was so afraid and uncomfortable in public, he often wore his helmet during interviews.

"Some of the things that people would take for granted as being normal were a struggle for me. I felt like everyone was staring at me and passing judgment on me." — Ricky Williams At his lowest point, Ricky realized he had to change. Through therapy, he discovered that his fear had a name: social phobia.

"For me, the biggest thing was understanding what was wrong. I've always been a shy person, but in times of stress, [personal characteristics] become accentuated. … I feel like I'm getting better. Every time I talk about it, I feel like I'm progressing even more. Anxiety is normal, and some people are just better at facing their fears and dealing with them."

Story 3

Jerilyn Ross is the founder and director of the Ross Center for Anxiety and Related Disorders in Washington, D.C. Social phobia is often misunderstood, she says, adding that of the 10 million-plus Americans who are socially phobic, only five percent get treatment.

"People think of social phobia as being an extension of shyness, but it's different. It's not just being very shy; it's so persistent and pervasive that it literally stops people from doing things that most of us don't think about: going to the store, talking with friends, getting a haircut?

Story 4

Jessica's social phobia has prevented her from accomplishing her goals. She says she's tired of living in constant fear, and she's hoping for a breakthrough by walking into the studio filled with 300 people.

Success! Jessica faced her fears and sat in front of the audience. "For once in my life, I'm not shaking in fear," she says. "I dream that now that I've proven to myself that I can do this...I will never again let my social anxiety stop me from doing anything I want to do."

Debating Points

1. What is your definition of social phobia?

2. What are differences between shyness and social phobia?

3. Here are the signs of social phobia. Do you have any symptom among these? If you have any, share your personal experiences with your group members.

- Pounding heart

- Dizziness

- Shortness of breath

- Chest or throat tightness

- Muscle tension

- Profuse sweating

- Blushing

- Trembling or shaking

4. Do you have any difficulty doing routine social activities, like interacting with salespeople, getting a haircut, or speaking in a meeting?

5. Is social phobia holding you back from living your life, or do you have any friends or relatives who are suffered from this panic?

6. What are good ways to get over such panic?

[KeigH]

아... 나에게 엄청 예민한 토픽인데요. 가슴깊은 탄식

[광82]

ㅋㅋ.. my signs of social phobia...is... Blushing .... 좋은 토픽 감사~~ 감사~~

[너구리 만세!]

오~ 쏭!!! ㅋㅋ 토픽..그리도 고민 하더니 올렸군!! 수고했3~!!!

[거북이]

첫 모임 같은조~ 반가웠어요 pink dolphin^^ 너구리, 돌고래, 거북이, 동물농장 만들어 봅시다 ㅋ

[분홍돌고래]

아...거북씨ㅋㅋ 우리는 같이 물에 사는 동물이군요^^!! 반갑삼!! 동물농장ㅎㅎㅎ

[서주]

토픽 준비 하느라 수고하셨네요. 감사해요~^^

[그리메..]

수고하셨습니다고마워요^^

[이지현]

참석하겠습니다~~~ 일욜에 뵐께용...^^

[동희]

갈 수 있을듯...^^

[Chloe(최주영)]

가요~~~~

[henny[정수]]

참석요...^^ 모두들 감기 조심하시고 낼 봐요~~!!

[Santiago]

오랜만에 함 나가 보겠군요...ㅎㅎ

[빨강푸우]

오늘 참석이요~~^^*

[ㅅrㄹ6ㅎr는 쭈]

지금쯤 끝나가겠네요. 고향이라 참석못했는데 제가 안 ㄱ ㅏ는 날만 참말로 재밌는 주제를 올리시는 군요..ㅇㅎㅎ;;;;;