I went to a final degree show for a number of universities last night in the fashionable east-end area of Brick Lane. Olmo Reverter, one of the student’s exhibiting his work decided to collaborate with Leading Light to create awareness on social anxiety disorder.
6 Members of the group, including myself. decided to participate in the exhibit by having our photo taken in black and white and to accompany each piece would be a short audio from each person talking about their personal experiences.
I was quite anxious coming along to the exhibit to see my own picture, but once I was there I felt at ease. I totally feel like I have come a long way in my personal development as I was actually ok with the sound of my own voice, something that I have had trouble with for a lot of my life.
About the project: Social Anxiety Disorder
This project endeavours to dispel some of the stigma surrounding Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD) by presenting stories of people affected. Their portraits give an insight into the mind of a SAD sufferer by showing their vulnerability. They attempt to illustrate what their faces alone cannot tell; the deep-rooted fear imprinted by a disorder of inhibition, fear and avoidance. A SAD sufferer will typically shrink into the background and slip from societies view.
Social Anxiety Disorder is a crippling feeling of intense, uncontrollable fear of being judged and ridiculed in social situations. It is the third most common mental disorder only behind depression and alcoholism. Sufferers will feel that whatever they do, they will humiliate themselves in front of other people. Even if those with the disorder realise their fears are irrational and unwarranted, the anxiety itself is no less hard to control.
These debilitating emotions can produce panic attacks and lead to clinical depression. People will often seek to limit and withdraw from social situations as a means of avoiding the terror they’re subjected to each time they’re confronted with human interaction. This can have a devastating impact on lifestyles, relationships and careers.
Sufferers can often seek to self-medicate with alcohol or other drugs in an attempt to suppress the symptoms.
As with most conditions, early detection and diagnosis make treatment much more effective. Unfortunately people withstand a lot of needless suffering from the disorder and only receive treatment when they finally seek medical help for resultant substance abuse problems or clinical depression.
Social anxiety disorder is commonly treated with a form of psychotherapy known as cognitive behavioural therapy. This changes patients’ thought patterns in social situations, then the behavioural element re-trains patients how to react to the anxiety triggered in these situations. Anti-depressant and tranquilising drugs are also prescribed in conjunction with counselling.
When asked how she felt about speaking to people who’ve never experienced a mental disorder, one SAD sufferer said “I am passionate about fighting the stigma of mental distress in society, but I know it is a battle that has to be taken from the personal to the public to get people talking.” This project aims to help do that.
