Shyness
Shyness is a disorder and not an illness. Are you a shy person? It can be considered to be normal to some extent. Most people experience some amount of discomfort while entering a room full of strangers, or if they have to deliver a speech. However, sometimes shyness can take on extreme forms. Shyness is believed to affect nearly 50 per cent of adults to some degree. It is defined by the Encyclopedia of Mental Health as, “discomfort and/or inhibition in interpersonal situations. It is a form of excessive self-focus.” Dr Jyoti Sangle, psychotherapist, Dr L H Hiranandani Hospital, Mumbai says, “It is important to understand that shyness is a problem and not an illness. The line between the illness as social phobia and shyness is thin, but the line and the features differ in quality and intensity. Hence, the approach towards overcoming shyness becomes more subjective and individualistic.” Dr Kersi Chavda, consultant psychiatrist, P D Hinduja Hospital, Mumbai further explians, “The mains