Shyness - the property of the psyche, in which a person experiences a hesitation, stiffness and strength when dealing with people, and that can interfere with academic and professional achievements. While shyness is not a disease, it can lead to serious problems in life.

The most common is a situational shyness - people experiencing indecision only in certain situations, such as when he has to speak in public, to speak with the authorities, or the authorities (and teachers), to organize the activities of other people and make new friends, especially if you have romantic feelings to whom he meets. More rare is a chronic form of shyness, in which a person begins to feel uncomfortable in almost any situation where he has to interact with people. In such cases, experts say social phobia - this may eventually lead to the isolation of a person, and a number of serious psychological problems.

Chronic shyness must be distinguished from introversion. Introverts do prefer to spend time alone and choose activities that you can do yourself, but do not fear social interaction. Chronically shy people are dissatisfied with their isolation, they would like more contact with the outside world, but they are hampered by uncertainty and fear.

Causes

In recent years, the number of people who indicate that they are suffering from some form of shyness How to win your shyness? It is constantly increasing. According to a recent research, about 50% of the people suffer from varying degrees of shyness. Many of them experts call "shy extroverts" - these people are talking a lot, but deep down, they feel hesitant that they constantly have to overcome. From social phobia affects about 13% of people - it has become the third most common psychiatric disorder. Doctors note that shy people, there is an increased risk of developing mental disorders such as anxiety disorder or depression Depression - a little more than a bad mood .

The main factors that contribute to the increase in the number of people who suffer from excessive sensitivity, experts call a culture and technology. Today there is cultural change because of the increase in crime (for example, children begin to walk on their own in an increasingly older age, backyard culture, when played together children from several houses, and from an early age learn social interaction disappears, and in some places have already disappeared) but also because of the decrease in the average number of family members (children less brothers and sisters with whom they could hone communication skills). This led to the fact that even adults can not be confident enough to communicate with others. This is facilitated by new technologies.

In Western countries, schoolchildren and university students spend a lot of time playing computer games, "wandering" on the Internet and communicating through social networks. Very soon becomes an adult generation, whose members already in adolescence often wrote emails than phone calls, used to do a lot of things without the mediation of a person (to pay bills, buy tickets, book Hotels), and poorly imagine my life without gadgets. As a result, normal human communication skills they have developed bad. Of course, even normal man who the lion's share of free time as a child held by pressing a button, be able more or less to communicate effectively - developing sociopathy not all. However, it is likely that he would feel uncomfortable, which is not compatible with full, open communication.

New technologies and cultural changes - are external causes of shyness, which may change. The deep, internal reasons are the same:

• The misconception about yourself. Shy people tend to consider themselves worse than others, and do not see their own good qualities. They can be admired by others, but do not realize that they themselves are unique individuals, even when they have enough talent expressed. Some of them try to hide shyness bold, sometimes even arrogant behavior, but they have to spend a lot of energy, but inside they are still extremely insecure people.
• Excessive concern him. When the shy person is surrounded by other people, it seems that everything is looking at him, watching his actions and discuss his every move. They can take into the account any words and laughter that is heard. As a result, they try to do everything as best as possible, but due to stress How to beat stress? Create an oasis   make mistakes - real or imaginary, and the problem is only getting worse.
• Labeling. When a man considers himself a shy man, he tries to behave accordingly. Moreover, he knows that he and those around him believe (which is usually the case), and from that, his self-doubt only increased.

How to cope with shyness

• Turn a concern in awareness. Recognize that in fact no one was watching your every action. Most people are too busy to constantly pay attention to someone else. Pay attention to your own thoughts and emotions Emotions and culture: how to decipher the emotional code : Watch the changing your status, when you find yourself among a large number of people, and try to consciously replace other disturbing thoughts.
• Find your strengths. When you find, you start to develop them, and every day they pay their attention once again to make sure that the unique and talented are not only others but also yourself.
• Focus on other people. Instead of thinking about what will think of you start to really listen to other people, getting to know them, learn from them something new. If you are confused glances or words of a person, ask yourself what you like about him. It will distract you and you will not be so negative about a person who probably looked at you just like that.
• Recognize that you can not please everybody. Someone from others you will surely not like, but that's no reason to be upset. Do not focus on this, better remember how many people told you compliments, and what you have wonderful friends. In the end, you will find that the installation of "I do not care about your opinion" is not so bad, and great help cope with shyness.

The word "neurosis" means "breakdown". The term in the late eighteenth century, introduced the Scottish physician William Cullen. It belongs to all the neuroses nervous disorders and symptoms, the specific reasons which could not be detected. Nowadays, neurosis - is a general term for a number of psychogenic disorders, which are usually reversible.

The use of this term has been repeatedly discussed, and today in some countries it is not used in the formulation of diagnoses. Some doctors use it to describe a number of mental disorders that are not related to psychotic disorders (such as schizophrenia or delusional disorder). Other experts - especially psychoanalysts use the term "neurosis" to describe the internal process (unconscious conflicts), which can cause anxiety Anxiety - how to distinguish normal from disease?   and other psychological problems.

Types of neuroses

Disorders related neuroses differ from psychotic disorders, mainly in that in the first case, patients are well aware of reality. Patients with psychotic disorders, in contrast, can be completely immersed in their own illusions. The main categories of neurosis:

• Anxiety disorder - a disorder characterized by intense fear and anxiety, sometimes - panic attacks Panic attacks - fear of nowhere   physical symptoms such as tremor, chest pain Chest pain is one symptom - a lot of diseases , Sweating and nausea.
• Depressive neurosis. For this disorder characterized by feelings of deep despair and sadness, lack of interest in activities that used to bring pleasure, the inability to cope with everyday duties.
• Obsessive-compulsive depression also referred to as neurotic disorders. Patients suffering from this disorder, obsessive thoughts haunt from which they are trying to get rid of, to perform certain repetitive actions.
• Hysterical neurosis. As a rule, this disorder the patient has physical symptoms, the occurrence of which can not be explained by any disease. They are believed to arise as a result of neurosis; phenomenon where psychological problems lead to the appearance of physical symptoms, called somatization.
• Post traumatic stress disorder. This disorder is caused by a very severe stress, such as in people who took part in the hostilities, or have experienced the devastating natural disasters.
• Compensation neurosis - is, strictly speaking, not a real neurosis, and the shape of the simulation, when a person tries to mimic the symptoms of psychological disorders to achieve any goals.

Causes

In 1996, particular gene has been identified and its alleles (forms of a gene, which also carry genetic information, and by which one symptom can develop in various ways), which is associated with the development of neurosis. This gene helps control the level of serotonin in the blood due to the fact that the effect on the protein synthesis of the serotonin transporter.

Protein helps move the serotonin transporter across the synaptic space (spaces between neurons) to stimulate nerve cells and helps to carry the reuptake of serotonin. If a person has a so-called "gene neurosis" in his body can produce too little amount of protein transporter. Therefore, in the synaptic spaces will continue to be an excess of serotonin, and while the protein transporters will try to cope with the excessive amount of work will continue to stimulate serotonin nerve cells, with the result that there are characteristic symptoms of neurosis. The study, which was attended by 500 people, showed that in patients with various forms of neurosis do not produce enough of the protein transporter.

These results were confirmed in another study, in which hundreds of people were surveyed from 37 countries. In addition, according to reports, more women than men suffer from neurosis, and this trend is independent of cultural environment or on human well-being. However, another study involving 9,500 people, showed that low levels of life increases the likelihood of development of neurosis. Based on the results of research, scientists have concluded that, although genetic predisposition plays an important role in the development of neuroses, we must also take into account external factors, first of all - socioeconomic.

Symptoms

Common symptoms of neurosis are:

• Emotional instability;
• Depression;
• Low self-esteem;
• Anxiety, fear;
• Frequent mood swings Mood swings in women - bad character or a disease? ;
• Irritability;
• Fatigue;
• Trouble concentrating;
• Sleep disorders;
• Resentment.

Diagnosis and treatment

If you suspect a neurosis as soon as possible address to the doctor - without medical help the patient's condition is unlikely to improve. First of all, the doctor will examine the patient's medical history and conduct a survey to identify possible organic causes of the symptoms characteristic of neurosis - such as brain cancer. If the test results fail, the patient will be referred to a psychiatrist or other specialist who can diagnose mental illness.

A method of treatment of neurosis depends on its species but also on the severity of symptoms. Typically, in the neuroses, various forms of psychotherapy (eg, cognitive-behavioral therapy and art therapy) and drug therapy.