Tag Archives: social phobia

The Moment Passed? It’s Never Too Late

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trump-clock

Many times throughout my life, I’d find myself listening to others having a conversation. Either at school or work, my friends or coworkers would be talking about something. Perhaps a hot topic in the news, for instance, Donald Trump running for president. They might be having a political argument about Trump’s merits as a candidate. Or they might simply be making jokes about him. Then, after noticing that I’d been silent throughout the conversation, they would want to include me. They’d ask me what I think about Donald Trump. And I’d freeze. Continue reading →

Is Exposure a Cure for Social Anxiety?

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social anxiety exposure

I know what you’re thinking. Exposure? That’s it? It sounds so simple, it’s almost dismissive. There’s no way exposure will cure my social anxiety… I know that’s what you’re thinking because I used to think the same thing. Continue reading →

12 Kafka Quotes that Explain Social Anxiety

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kafka-painting

Franz Kafka is often cited as a famous figure who suffered from social anxiety. Kafka was never officially diagnosed with social anxiety disorder during his lifetime, as such a diagnosis didn’t technically exist yet. The social anxiety speculation comes from Kafka’s personal diaries and letters. I’ve already written about the themes of social anxiety present in Kafka’s novella, The Metamorphosis, but if you still have any doubts as to whether or not the author actually had social anxiety disorder, look no further than these following quotes of his. Continue reading →

Insomnia and Social Anxiety

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Insomnia2002Poster

I used to suffer from occasional insomnia. Especially on nights before a big event I was nervous about, like my first day at school or a big trip. I would get in bed early so I’d be fresh and rested for the big day. I’d lay down and close my eyes, but I couldn’t fall asleep. My mind was racing. I couldn’t stop thinking.What will this new school be like? Will I make any new friends? Will I still be shy? I didn’t realize at the time that my insomnia was related to my social anxiety. Continue reading →

Social Anxiety in Kafka’s The Metamorphosis

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Metamorphosis

Die Verwandlung a.k.a. The Metamorphosis a.k.a. The Transformation

by Franz Kafka

Published: 1915

Read the eBook for free: http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/5200 or Buy the Paperback

The Metamorphosis is a novella about Gregor Samsa, a traveling salesman who wakes up one day to find himself transforming into a giant insect. As his transformation progresses, Gregor locks himself in his room, quits his job, and isolates himself from his family and the rest of society. Gregor’s parents and sister are repulsed as he becomes less and less human and more and more insect-like, until finally in the end… 

(SPOILER ALERT)

…he dies.

Based on Franz Kafka’s diaries and letters, scholars agree that the author suffered from depression and social anxiety throughout his life. The Metamorphosis could therefore be interpreted as Kafka’s way of writing about his mental state. With that in mind, could the “metamorphosis” in The Metamorphosis be a metaphor for someone developing social anxiety? (Talk about meta…) Continue reading →