This Twitter thread explains social anxiety perfectly

Social anxiety affects approximately 15 million adults in America, according to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America. But despite how common the disorder is, there are still many misconceptions about it, like the belief that social anxiety is the same as being shy.

Recently, YouTube star Jessie Paege took to Twitter to explain the difficulties of living with social anxiety, inspiring many others to chime in with their own experiences.

https://twitter.com/EmmySheetz/status/983407633892769792

https://twitter.com/EmmySheetz/status/983408446136639489

social anxiety in media: "I'm just so painfully shy, it's adorable"
actual people with social anxiety: "I can't really enjoy myself in this social situation because I am literally terrified of monopolizing the conversation or saying the wrong thing" https://t.co/wzjc5LA8yi

— Catie Hennessey (@catiemolly) April 10, 2018

https://twitter.com/NicolePPavez/status/983703741026062336

https://twitter.com/myheartofmusic/status/983708735620112384

Jessie followed up her tweet by encouraging others to recognize the importance of mental health treatment. “Your brain can also need healing,” she said. “Mental health treatment is important.”

just like

– your leg can break
– you can catch a cold
– you can get the flu

your brain can need also need healing. Mental health treatment is important.

— Jessie Paege (@jessiepaege) April 10, 2018

Read more:
How the language we use contributes to depression and anxiety