It's A Vicious CycleHow Extreme Self‑Focus Can Prevent ‘Shy’ People From Bonding With Others "[S]hy individuals may focus their attention inwards during new social interactions... imped[ing] the attention that should be paid to the social partner." By Devrupa Rakshit
Help NeededAll You Need to Know About Social Anxiety Pop culture representations belie the seriousness of social anxiety and how it can change the way people lead their lives. By Rohitha Naraharisetty
"Be Your Own Diaper!"‘Eternally Confused…’ Shows How Self‑Hatred Can Damage Everything From Relationships to Careers While this is neither the "wokest" show nor a feminist take on dating, the series nails some aspects growing up in a patriarchal society. By Devrupa Rakshit
Double-EdgedWhy Socially Anxious People Have Less Satisfying Intimate Relationships "Once socially anxious adults manage to find a romantic partner," their depression determines how they navigate intimacy. By Devrupa Rakshit
Are You Listening?The Pressure To Always Say the ‘Right’ Thing Affects the Way We Communicate When we internally script conversations, communication becomes confusing at best, and performative at worst. By Devrupa Rakshit
Sorry Do I Know You?Why Some People Struggle To Recognize Faces "Face blindness" is a cognitive disorder that makes it difficult to tell unknown faces apart, and sometimes, faces from objects. By Devrupa Rakshit
Party Of OneIs This Normal? “I Hate Parties” Parties are often a cocktail of social anxiety, sensory overload, and a debilitating pressure to "fit in" for many people. By Devrupa Rakshit
What's So Funny?Is This Normal? “I Make Terrible Jokes When I’m Nervous” Resorting to humor activates the endorphin system in the brain, making it easier for people to withstand difficult situations. By Devrupa Rakshit
On The SpectrumWhat It’s Like to Live With: Asperger Syndrome "I'm quite happy with my brain, actually." By Devrupa Rakshit
24x7 SurveillanceIs This Normal? “I Feel Like Someone Is Always Watching Me, Even When I’m Alone” "It turns out that we're hard-wired to believe that others are staring at us, especially when we're uncertain." By Devrupa Rakshit
Hugging Is BuggingIs This Normal? “I Hate Hugs” For people with social anxiety, hugging can make it worse. By Devrupa Rakshit
Centre Of AttentionThe ‘Spotlight Effect’ Is When You Think People Are Noticing Your Flaws More Than They Really Are The cognitive bias occurs because of our inherent ego-centrism -- we tend to believe that others spend more time focusing on our behavior than they actually do. By Devrupa Rakshit