By Facial blushing: is it normal? Rosie checked into a hotel for a weekend getaway with her partner. The hotel receptionist noticed it was Rosie’s birthday and said, “Welcome to our hotel. I see it’s your birthday tomorrow. HAPPY BIRTHDAY!” The nearby receptionist added his birthday wishes as did the people behind her. Rosie sheepishly thanked… Continue reading
By The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorder, Fifth Edition defines social anxiety disorder as: A persistent fear of one or more social or performance situations in which the person is exposed to unfamiliar people or to possible scrutiny by others. The individual fears that he or she will act in a way (or show anxiety symptoms) that… Continue reading
By Opportunity or Apprehension? Starting college comes with bittersweet anticipation for most students. It’s considered a rite of passage into adulthood and with this milestone comes independence, exploration and personal development. Some see the social parts of college life as the driving force to enroll. Keg parties, fraternity or sorority life and meeting new people is,… Continue reading
By The fear of public speaking is the most common phobia ahead of death, spiders, or heights. The National Institute of Mental Health reports that public speaking anxiety, or glossophobia, affects about 40%* of the population. The underlying fear is judgment or negative evaluation by others. Public speaking anxiety is considered a social anxiety disorder. *… Continue reading
By What is Post-event Rumination and How Does It Relate to Social Anxiety? “Why did I say that?” “I was the most awkward person at the party.” “I was so quiet that no one even noticed that I was there.” Have thoughts like this plagued you following a social event? When a person is stuck thinking… Continue reading
By What is Paruresis? For the vast majority of people, tending to bodily functions such as urinating happens without much thought or concern. For about 21 million Americans, roughly 7% of the general population, urination causes great worry and inconvenience. They have developed a condition called paruresis also known as shy bladder syndrome, pee shyness, or… Continue reading
By The road to developing a relationship, be it platonic or romantic, is complex. Conversation is often the medium used for determining compatibility, identifying shared interests and expressing attraction. Communication can range from non-verbal (such as body movement or facial expression) to verbal (such as the words used, tone or style). Small talk is one conversation… Continue reading
By Our need for human relationships serves many needs. From an evolutionary perspective, our prehistoric ancestors learned that forming community was vital to protect against predators. A group had a better chance for survival compared to the individual. While we don’t usually encounter the same level of threat today, we benefit both physically and psychologically when… Continue reading