Naomi Osaka, a famous tennis player, shared an explanation of her pre-tournament decision to forgo press conferences on Twitter on June 1, 2021 at 1.47a.m.
“The truth is I have suffered long bouts of depression since the US Open in 2018 and I have had a really hard time coping with that,” she posted to social media. “Anyone that knows me knows I’m introverted, and anyone that has seen me at tournaments will notice that I’m often wearing headphones as that helps dull my social anxiety.”
“I am not a natural public speaker and get huge waves of anxiety before I speak to the world’s media,” she added. “I get really nervous and find it stressful to always to always try to engage and give you the best answers I can.”
-Naomi Osaka
In this article, let’s learn about a few keywords. Being socially awkward or introverted is not the same as having a social anxiety disorder. While both can involve feeling uncomfortable or anxious in social situations, they have different underlying causes and symptoms.
Social Awkward
Being socially awkward means having difficulty in social situations and learning to act or behave naturally and comfortably. It can be due to various factors, including shyness, inexperience, or a lack of social skills.
Introvert
Introversion, on the other hand, refers to a personality trait in which individuals prefer solitary activities and tend to feel drained after spending time in social situations. Introverts may still enjoy socializing but often need time alone to recharge.
Social anxiety disorder
Social anxiety disorder involves intense fear and anxiety in social situations that can lead to avoidance behaviors and interfere with daily activities. This fear may be irrational and excessive and can cause physical symptoms such as sweating, shaking, and a racing heartbeat.
So while social awkwardness or introversion can sometimes overlap with social anxiety disorder, they are not synonymous. If you are concerned about your anxiety in social situations, it is essential to seek the advice of a mental health professional.
However, I recommend talking to a mental health professional if you have concerns about social anxiety disorder. They can help you determine whether you have the condition and provide you with an accurate diagnosis and an appropriate treatment plan.
In general, social anxiety disorder is characterized by excessive fear and anxiety in social situations. The excessive fear leads to avoidance behaviors and interfering with daily activities. Common symptoms may include self-consciousness, fear of being scrutinized or judged by others, sweating, shaking, and blushing. If you’re experiencing these symptoms impacting your life, it’s essential to seek help.
It is also important to remember that everyone experiences some anxiety in social situations from time to time. It is only considered a disorder when persistent symptoms severely impact your life.
“You just gotta keep going and fighting for everything, and one day you’ll get to where you want.” –Naomi Osaka
Thank you for reading this article.
I am Daniel, My Psychology KK’s intern.
With you, My Psychology KK.
