Shyness and Social Anxiety Disorder

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Final Project Persuasive Research Paper COM/220 Week 9 Day 7 March 25, 2012 Six in One Hand Half a Dozen in the Other Shyness and Social Anxiety Disorder Picture a child in their first day at a new school; trying their best to remain unseen. To the child’s surprise the teacher is calling on the new student to answer a question for the class. Red with embarrassment the student lowers his head and in a soft bashful voice begins to answer the question all the while feeling butterflies are in his stomach. Now, picture a person completely withdrawn from all social activity, someone that misses school often, which seems almost angry that he or she has to attend school, and never goes to games or student functions; in fact this person is never seen outside of school. Which one of these students is shy and which one suffers from social anxiety disorder? How can one differentiate between a shy person and a person suffering from social anxiety disorder? Understanding the differences between shyness and social anxiety disorder is vital for appropriate diagnosis and treatment. Bashful, timid, or coy are some words used to describe shyness. Shyness occurs in certain situations such as speaking before a group of people, singing in front of people, or experiencing unfamiliar situations. It could be argued that many people have had to overcome shyness at one time or another in their life. The character Bashful from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs provides an excellent example of shyness. Upon first meeting Snow White Bashful’s checks turn red and he hides his face in his beard. However after a relationship was established he was less bashful around Snow White. Shy people are apprehensive to certain situations, as Bashful was first meeting Snow White, however once trust or knowledge of the situation occurs the shyness will begin to dwindle. [pic]”Shyness

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