<p>I recently learned that I have most of the symptoms of social anxiety disorder. It hasn't been diagnosed yet, but I talked to my mom and we're almost positive I have SAD. It might have been triggered by the two major moves I went through in the past six years (I didn't take either of them very well). It's not so severe that I can't do anything, but I've always struggled a ton with public speaking, meeting new people, even sometimes with talking to teachers/people in authority, etc.</p>
<p>I don't want to blame all my struggles on this, but I feel that it is in large part responsible for my relatively weak social life and ECs. I am generally well-liked by almost everyone, but it's really difficult for me to find close friends because I'm afraid of making the effort. My ECs aren't terrible, but they're lacking in the leadership department, which a few of the schools I've applied to are specifically looking for. I already did get in to one school, but I'm sure that was mostly based on my academic record and not on ECs or leadership.</p>
<p>Not to sound anal, but I feel that my ECs may very possibly hurt my chances of getting into my other schools. Is there something I can do now to explain to them that I recently (after I already sent out all my apps) learned I have and have had this condition for several years? I will, of course, first get a real diagnosis to make sure I really have it. In all sincerity, I believe that my lack of leadership experience comes mostly from my having SAD and not from laziness. I realize this could easily look like a lame, paranoid excuse from someone who seems like an overachiever, but I would really appreciate any suggestions. Thanks.</p>
<p>To me it would only make sense to mention if you have a cure. Colleges want kids who will be involved, so no matter why, if you won't be, it's a negative.</p>
<p>Okay, how do I put this....your symptoms are universal...many many kids have the same anxieties...I am not dismissing your ailment, not at all, its just that it isn't that unusual...maybe not as severlly, but when you hear the fear of public speaking is the most feared thing, well you see where I am going</p>
<p>I think it is important to figure out what is going on and to find ways to help yourself, etc., but it will most likely come across as well, lots of people are nervous about stuff</p>
<p>Yeah, I think you guys are probably right. It's too bad I didn't find out about it my freshman year. Anybody else have any experience with similar situations?</p>
<p>I'm terrified whenever I have to speak to a group of people. Even at church with the little kids. But hey I applied 3 ivies... so, my chances?? dunno / don't wanna think ;)</p>
<p>^Thanks, I wish the same to you, too. It's not just specific areas like public speaking, though. It's more like something that never goes away, even if I try to push it out of my head. In certain situations, like public speaking or interviews, I just get a lot more scared, but I still have trouble with plenty of other things, like talking on the phone with someone I don't know. Mostly, I feel like I've been held back from accomplishing a lot in high school, which really sucks.</p>
<p>denlin789,
to be honest, i, too, have social phobia as well. in fact i have many anxiety disorders linked to it as well. i have ocd and from that my anxiety is far worse.
another thing, i believe is post nasal drip. whenever i m in public or in nervous state of situation, i have a mucous buildup, or acid that fills my esophagus, easily having panic attacks from it.
i havent found a cure, kind of scared to. but ill see how it goes.
i sorta wish there were pplz with my syndrome. esp. the pnd, THAT is what builds the most stress to me. the fact that i have panic attacks and always have to chew on antiacids that only work on not-so-bad days.
so yeah.. =/</p>
<p>hey nobodyjay,
if you are not a senior yet, you should make that your college essay topic... the rough idea is already pretty touching, especially the idea that the disorder is not as apparent.... I actually wrote something of the sort. One of my dear brothers is ADHD. I love him though!!</p>
<p>pikasof,
already have mentioned it :) i didnt go too much into detail about my anixety though. i didnt want to "Scare" the admissions. i mostly talked about how i OVERCAME it. in a way, i did. :)
but its just..tough you know?</p>
<p>hahah that's great!! and of course you want to focus on your ACHIEVEMENT rather than the anxiety part... I remember when I got my 1st draft of stanford question asking me for one of my extracurricular activities, one of my teacher said smth like... "you are TOO pessimistic!!!!"... almost the whole class was there -.-"""</p>
<p>^I just really found out about it all last week, so I'll be looking to get a diagnosis pretty soon. Let's assume I've already been diagnosed. Then what?</p>
<ol>
<li><p>ECs only really count for things like merit scholarships based on ECs and admission at the very top colleges. Most colleges care only about grades, scores and whether you took their required courses. </p></li>
<li><p>The colleges that do care about ECs aren't likely to respond favorably to hearing that a person lacks ECs because of a mental health problem. Those colleges use ECs as part of their admissions process because the colleges have such an overabundance of high stat candidates that the colleges can choose students based on what the students have to offer to the campus environment.
"It's not so severe that I can't do anything, but I've always struggled a ton with public speaking, meeting new people, even sometimes with talking to teachers/people in authority, etc."</p></li>
</ol>
<p>Sounds like the kind of shyness that lots of people have. Doesn't prevent people from getting into most colleges.</p>
<p>Also check out the web page shyness.com, which has lots of info and tips about overcoming shyness.</p>
<p>^It's perfectly understandable for you to think that based on the fact that you really don't know anything about me. I actually think my apps were alright, except for the lack of leadership experience and to a considerable degree, lack of passion. But if you want to keep on believing this is all one big excuse, go ahead and I won't blame you for it.</p>
<p>I do realize that it's most likely too late to do anything about my chances of admission. I'm not going to lie, my stats are pretty good and I already did get into one school I would willingly attend. I guess I was a little paranoid at first. So I'll change the question to something that doesn't have to do with getting into college.</p>
<p>Does anyone have any experience with similar problems? And how did you get over it?</p>
<p>There are basically three things you can do, if you have a "disorder" such as this.</p>
<p>1) Get a therapist
2) Get some other form of "therapy" / talk to friends / write little journal entries
3) Get drugs (preferably from a therapist)</p>
<p>Self-improvement is a daily task. What that means, is take it step-by-step. Daily, pick a goal, reach it, or don't, but try. Consistent effort will overcome any "mountain," any hurdle.</p>
<p>Yes, I was extremely shy as a child and as a teen. Now, most people have no idea that I ever was shy. I am very gregarious and truly am very comfortable in groups including when I have to speak up. Indeed, I really enjoy doing things like that.</p>
<p>How'd I get over shyness: Reading everything I could find about overcoming shyness, making friends, making speeches, etc.; participating in Toastmasters (a public speaking organization that's very supportive and instructional); forcing myself to go to parties and other situations that I found difficult'; forgiving myself for my inevitable mistakes and awkwardness.</p>
<p>If you check the archives, you can find many posts by me and others who describe how we got over shyness. It's a relatively easy mental health problem to solve, and the rewards of doing so are enormous.</p>
<p>Now when I go to a place where I don't know many people, I get excited about the chance of making new friends. I don't get frightened or anxious.</p>
<p>Northstarmom, just to clarify, I believe I don't suffer from shyness. Social anxiety is pretty different and actually a much more difficult problem to solve. Up till about the time I was 11 or 12, I was one of the most talkative kids around . Everyone suffers from social anxiety to some extent, but in my case, it's probably severe enough to be diagnosed. And Lynxie, thanks for the advice.</p>