Social Anxiety in College

Life has those people who like to be bursting with character and the center of attention, but it also has those people who would much rather live in the shadows. It has those people who will strike up a conversation with anyone and it has those people who will only talk when talked to or when they feel it is necessary.

For those people who do not talk much or who prefer to live behind-the -scenes, attending college can be a social struggle.

The term shy often takes on different forms. Some believe that it means they are quiet or that they prefer to be alone, while some believe that it means that they have great difficulty in social situations.

Shyness is more accurately termed social anxiety or phobia.

According to the Fear and Anxiety Disorder Clinic (FADC) at the University of Florida, social anxiety involves overwhelming anxiety and excessive self-consciousness in everyday social situations. About 3.7 percent of Americans ages 18-54 experience social anxiety in any given year. It typically affects more women than men. It usually begins in early childhood or early in adolescence.

Not everyone who considers themselves to be shy has full blown social anxiety. According to FADC, social anxiety may occur in certain situations only. This includes eating or drinking or even writing in front of others. It also affects dating and relationships.

University of Florida student Aufeya Glover describes herself as shy.

"It's not in my nature to be bubbly," Glover, who is a senior journalism major, said.

Regardless of the intensity of social anxiety, it plays some role in how individuals cope in college and later in life. Sometimes participation is required in class or work has to be done in a group setting. The college experience outside of the classroom often calls for going out and having fun and networking.

"When I got here, it was a bit of a hindrance because I'm an out-of-state student," Glover said. "Branching out and making friends was a slow process."

While some students may be concerned with their shyness or social anxiety others are content with it.

"If they are content with who they are that is most important," according to Clinical Assistant Professor Shari Robinson.

Glover said that she was among those who are content with being shy. There was no reason to just talk for the sake of talking.

"I will talk to anybody, if they approach. I just won't initiate, Glover said. "If you're shy you have to just give yourself a pep talk. If you have social anxiety it's not easy at all."

If you have severe social anxiety, coping with it may be a difficult task. It is often accompanied by depression and low self-esteem. There is treatment available for severe cases.

Advice about dealing with shyness and social anxiety include: having confidence, joining a flock, finding common ground, being open-minded and being yourself.