Social Anxiety Disorder-“SAD”

We discussed this topic at length in Happiness class yesterday. 

I remain suspicious that at least some of the many self-diagnosed sufferers from this affliction have errantly medicalized a normal feature of the human condition (as William James said of the way some dismiss others' religious experience--"Medical materialism finishes up Saint Paul by calling his vision on the road to Damascus a discharging lesion of the occipital cortex" etc.) that is better simply acknowledged and "treated" as an aspect of personality subject more-or-less to personal reform. Or acceptance. 

"Back in my day," as Younger Daughter likes to mock, some of us were introverts, and others extroverts. None were "disordered." Some just needed to eat more Powdermilk Biscuits.

And some needed to reflect on what Eleanor Roosevelt said: "You wouldn't worry so much about what others think of you, if you realized how seldom they did."

But this will strike SAD people as glib. Being shy is not the issue, they'll insist. 

So I'm trying to expand my thinking on this. Maybe medication IS indicated in some cases, traditional therapy in others.

"…The best way to treat social anxiety is through cognitive behavioral therapy or medication -- and often both..." WebMD

Or philosophical counseling, maybe? Plato, Not Prozac?  I'd prescribe Aristotle instead. And James.

Meanwhile, speaking as an amateur therapist and again passing along the advice of my canine pals, I counsel a few more long walks.