| Are you shy? If you suffer from shyness, you | | | | are forms of psychotherapy that can help |
| probably often wish that your shyness would | | | | overcome shyness, and there are forms of |
| instantly go away, never to return. Being shy can | | | | psychotherapy that don't seem to alleviate |
| be a small problem, or a big problem. Most people | | | | shyness at all. |
| who suffer from shyness, only experience it to a | | | | Those forms of therapy where a patient has to |
| small degree. For most people, their symptoms of | | | | dig deeply into the past to uncover all sorts of |
| shyness will go away once they become more | | | | incidents and trauma don't work to overcome |
| familiar with the person they are talking with. | | | | shyness. |
| A mild case of shyness can be embarrassing and | | | | There are other forms of therapy that seem to |
| awkward, but it is not necessarily a huge problem. | | | | work better in helping shy people overcome their |
| For people who are only moderately shy, this | | | | fears and become more sociable. Two of the |
| does not necessarily interfere with their ability to | | | | most successful forms of therapy for |
| have friends, dates, and happiness. | | | | overcoming shyness are cognitive therapy and |
| Some people suffer from acute shyness that is | | | | behavioral therapy. |
| very intense. Extreme shyness can result in a life | | | | Cognitive therapy encourages the shy person to |
| of lost opportunities in love, friendship, dating and | | | | notice the kinds of harsh, judgmental thoughts he |
| career opportunities. | | | | is having when he is trying to talk to people, and |
| For people who suffer from severe shyness, this | | | | teaches the person to change his thinking |
| condition can be life crippling. People who are | | | | patterns. |
| extremely shy can feel absolutely overwhelmed | | | | Behavioral therapy offers a very structured |
| with uncomfortable emotions and physical | | | | program with a system of rewards for |
| sensations every time they try to talk to | | | | completing the desired behavior. For example, a |
| somebody. Even if they are talking to someone | | | | person who is afraid of talking to women can |
| they know quite well, they are filled with shyness | | | | accumulate a number of points for initiating |
| sensations. | | | | conversations with women, and these points can |
| For some people who are extremely shy, it can | | | | then be traded for a reward. |
| seem easier just to give up and try avoid the | | | | For people who suffer from social phobia, some |
| social situations that cause these shyness | | | | anti-depressant drugs such as Paxil have been |
| symptoms to appear. The resulting loneliness and | | | | shown to be helpful, but the improvement in |
| shame can also lead to depression and social | | | | sociability will only last as long as the drug is taken. |
| withdrawal. | | | | When the drug is discontinued, the beneficial |
| When shy people give up talking to others, they | | | | effect will wear off. |
| end up reinforcing their shyness symptoms. They | | | | A shy person who has a mild form of shyness |
| also end up creating a life of increasing loneliness | | | | may be able to improve their situation simply by |
| for themselves. | | | | reading articles and books on dealing with shyness, |
| So, what can shy people do to overcome their | | | | and by implementing the suggestions offered. |
| fears of talking and interacting with others? If | | | | A more severe case of shyness or social phobia |
| someone has a case of shyness that is | | | | may require the help of a trained professional |
| moderate, more practice in being sociable can help. | | | | who has a good track record of success in helping |
| The worst thing to do for shyness is to avoid | | | | shy people overcome their problems. |
| social situations. | | | | The effort to get rid of shyness is worth it, |
| Should a shy person seek help from a therapist? | | | | because a lifetime of good friendships and |
| In some cases that can be a good idea. There | | | | relationships awaits. |