7PM in Baltimore: What is Social Anxiety Disorder?

Brian's World

After a 7 month hiatus, the Brian's World Live podcast returns for Season 7 as LiveBW. The first episode of our new journey ventures into Brian's world and meets up with the social anxiety that turned a 2 week break into a long a** time. You'll hear from experts in the mental health field who share their opinions and research on social anxiety disorder. Hear the in-depth story of crippling moments in time that millions face yearly.

According to Mental Health America, fifteen million Americans are battling social anxiety disorder. Some estimates are far greater. "Social Anxiety Disorder, sometimes called social phobia, is an anxiety disorder characterized by extreme fear or anxiety in one or more social settings," writes MHA. "Going to a party or even having a one-on-one conversation with a new person can result in increased heart rate, sweating, and racing thoughts for someone with social anxiety. When social anxiety gets significant, it’s common for individuals to isolate and feel very alone, making recovery harder."

They continue, "ultimately, it can make it difficult for a person to live the life they want: the excessive fear of humiliation and rejection can limit them in work, school, and relationships. While most people have concerns about acceptance and embarrassment, the extreme anxiety and dread that accompany social anxiety disorder are so overwhelming that a person may find it hard to function in daily life and may avoid the anxiety-inducing situations altogether."

This episode is a story of how all of that relates to Brian and the 7 month 'see-ya-later'. If you, or someone you know, is dealing with mental health concerns and are in need of help, visit the NIH website for tips and outreach contacts.

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