Social Anxiety
	When I was in high school, things were a little different for me for various reasons. I was just a skinny white guy like most of the people at my school, but I didn’t fit in with the other kids in high school. It’s not like I was below par; my GPA was very high and I always did well in advanced classes. But, my social life was a living hell. I was not doing anything, I was not going anywhere, and I was not fitting in socially—at least I felt that way. It seemed as if I had been fat kidded out of every social situation in high school. Every day was a new opportunity to embarrass myself. I had just wanted to quit sometimes and become mute for the rest of my life, rather than meet new people. On top of that, I wanted to be a doctor ever since I was a kid, but my social skills were holding me back. I was discouraged of seeking help in fear of further rejection by my peers—my social skills were holding me back. I knew I had to change.
	Most people don’t realize that 19.2 million Americans currently suffer from social anxiety to this day. When I was your age, I didn’t realize that I wasn’t the only one suffering from anxiety. You’re not alone. Yet, 36% of Americans with social anxiety wait 10 years or more to seek help, as if they’re going to be rejected by their peers! Don’t worry; your peers won’t treat you differently because of it. Oh, it’s fine though, if you don’t wish to seek help. If you don’t wish to seek help, procrastinate like the others if you enjoy this. The treatment is easy and the solution is right in front of you; you’re not part of that minority.
	Despite what others say, social anxiety is a treatable disorder. Therapists have achieved a 75% success rate through Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, in patients with social anxiety. CBT involves patients facing their fears in controlled amounts and environments. Also, in CBT, they teach you to cope with your anxiety and different ways to manage it, because far too often people don’t realize that they can control their social anxiety, and not let their social anxiety control them. Anxiety is not impeding; you can learn to control and manage it with the right help from the right people.
	I had almost given up hope until when my family suggested that I see a therapist, hinting that I may have anxiety. To me it seemed like just another way to embarrass myself in front of another new person. However, that one visit turned my life around. I was diagnosed with anxiety. Through a few sessions with my therapist, Dr. TC, I learned to manage my anxiety and cope with social situations. As a result of this, I was able to complete college and medical school to become a psychiatrist like Dr. TC, helping kids like me overcome their anxiety.
	The appalling part of all this was that throughout my teenage life, I was missing out socially. Social anxiety is a normal stage in life and is easily conquered. You shouldn’t feel ashamed of seeking help; problems like anxiety are just a part of our bitter sweet lives. We’re all alike and different in many ways. Don’t let your social differences act as a roadblock between yourself and your future like I did.