Shyness is not a disease and it is a condition that is improving, even treatable, but without medication.
The surveys carried out show, in general, that more than the majority of people consider themselves to be shy, or have been so in the past. But shyness-illness, that would concern one in 20 French people! That’s a lot… In addition, in about one in two cases, this shyness becomes paralyzing.
What causes shyness?
JFL: Shyness is above all based on an apprehension of the unknown or the “first time”. A situation that is unfamiliar causes shyness. Since many shy people avoid these situations so as not to feel uncomfortable, the situation remains alien forever, and shyness continues.
It is a concept a little vague but there are degrees which go from a slight shyness to a shyness-illness which handicaps all the reports / ratios. We must therefore avoid general theories, which would tend to trivialize the psychological and behavioral consequences of shyness for everyone.
Shyness, disease, affects one in 20 French people! That’s a lot… In addition, in about one in two cases, this paralyzing shyness that psychiatrists call “social phobia” promotes the onset of depressive states, and quite frequently the use of drugs: alcohol, tobacco or cannabis…
Does education play a role?
JFL: It has been proven that a more or less “withdrawn” character also comes from the environment in which the child was raised, and not only from his genes. A child who is shy around strangers, for example, may eventually lose that shyness later on.
Shy people don’t necessarily feel the same level of shyness towards everyone. For example, a great radio presenter may be a die-hard shy person the moment they leave the microphone. And in our profession we know actors who are full of daring on stage and who turn out to be shy as soon as we interview them.
They say shyness is not a fault?
JFL: It’s the ones who aren’t shy who say it: Shy people tend to perceive their own shyness as a flaw, and many of them are uncomfortable because of it. But it is true that many shy people are seen as attentive ears, and who think more before speaking. From this point of view, it is rather an advantage.
We also become less shy as we get older. Shyness therefore decreases with age and life experiences.
Apart from the age, how do we treat her?
JFL: At first, absolutely not to talk about drugs. There are very proven behavioral therapies. It is about learning to manage your fears and to face social situations more calmly. You can try in classic individual sessions, but also in groups for a “training” in the form of role plays for several. Unfortunately these therapies are not accessible everywhere in France. And this is not the only problem because when the anxiety is very strong, the process is sometimes impossible at the beginning. It is only in these difficult cases that the drugs can be used.
Are Medicines Helpful for Anxiety?
JFL: No, and especially not the anxiolytics which have made our country the first of the world consumers. These drugs can temporarily reduce the level of anxiety but at the cost of side effects and a risk of dependence, without real modification of the fears on the bottom.
Is blushing the result of shyness?
JFL: No, the cause is stress rather than embarrassing situations. Whoever blushes is more stressed than embarrassed. The heart speeds up, our various vessels increase in caliber in order to bring more blood to follow this acceleration of the pulse.
The vessels of the face being very superficial, when they increase in size, they become visible through the skin under this reddish color: this is what makes the charm of lovers ….
It is estimated that 10% of the French suffer from it excessively.
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