MBA #1

When Shyness is a Sign of Something More By: Ben Tickner
Published: October 17, 2011; accessed: October 18, 2011

Summary:

According to a study published by American Academy of Pediatrics, the shyness most teenagers experience after mood-swings is far greater than actually perceived and is actually linked to the psychiatric disorder of social phobia. When doing a survey of 100,000 teenagers, the Academy found that 1 out of 10 of these teenagers who classified themselves as shy also met the criteria for a social phobia. The problem of shyness is easily fixed but the problem of a social phobia is not. Compared to the teenagers classified as shy, “adolescents affected with social phobia displayed significantly greater role impairment and were more likely to experience a multitude of psychiatric disorders, including disorders of anxiety, mood, behavior, and substance use.” What's even more disturbing is that this survey found that 80% of the teenagers that were affected by social phobia failed to search for professional help.

Response:

If what this study is saying is true, I'd be shocked! Sure people are shy but could their shyness possibly go deeper? I know that I don't classify myself as shy, but while reading this article I couldn't help but think of the friends that I have that I think are very shy. Including my girlfriend! Could they possibly have a social phobia? Also when walking the halls of any school or mall I can't help but notice shy people, not interacting with anyone, all over the place. Are they affected by this too? I think this article has changed my perception of shy people, and it's not a good change. Im going to starting thinking, "Hmm maybe that person has a social phobia." In a way it will now be like a game: "Try to find the people with social phobias."I'm not saying that this is proper or even ethical, but I feel now that I have read this article, my eyes have been opened.

Vocab:

1. Introspective

“[It] means being quiet, introverted, introspective, and sometimes self-isolating,” says clinical psychologist Jeff Gardere, an adjunct clinical assistant professor at Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine in New York.

Meaning:

Given to examining own sensory and perceptual experiences; adjective

Origin:

Indo-European roots + specere, to look at; see spek

Sentence:
Introspective thoughts help increase your scores on essays.


2. Pervasiveness
Furthermore, while shyness was more common in younger respondents, the pervasiveness of social phobia increased with age.
Meaning:

(esp. of an unwelcome influence or physical effect) spreading widely throughout an area or a group of people; Adjective

Origin:

mid 18th cent.: from Latin pervas- ‘passed through’ (from the verb pervadere) + -ive

Sentence:

The pervasiveness of his ideals spread like a wildfire.

endear

3. Osteopathic

“[It] means being quiet, introverted, introspective, and sometimes self-isolating,” says clinical psychologist Jeff Gardere, an adjunct clinical assistant professor at Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine in New York.
Meaning:

A branch of medical practice that emphasizes the treatment of medical disorders through the manipulation and massage of the bones, joints, and muscles; Noun

Origin:

1855–60; osteo- + -pathy
Sentence:
He was a well-known doctor who practiced osteopathic medicine. 








AL