Many people are naturally introverted and experience blushing when interacting with others, which is normal. However, among the post-80s generation, excessive shyness in the workplace is common, potentially stemming from social anxiety disorder caused by various factors.
Over the years of practicing at the hospital, I've encountered numerous such patients. For instance, there was a 24-year-old girl from Heping District who should have been entering the workforce. Yet, during job interviews, she would turn bright red and become speechless whenever she met the interviewers. In severe cases, she even experienced numbness in her limbs and difficulty breathing.
This young woman's condition had persisted for a long time. It was understood that the root cause stemmed from an incident during her school days. After classmates played a prank on her—drawing on her face while she slept—she was punished by the teacher and made to read aloud in front of the class. This led to the entire class bursting into laughter. Since then, the girl had become extremely introverted, and her life had changed.
In reality, many children today—especially girls—face similar issues. Overprotective parenting or parental neglect often overlooks a child's shyness or reluctance to speak, dismissing it as mere personality. Yet this can be an early sign of social anxiety disorder.
Cases where social anxiety hinders academic and daily life are far from isolated incidents. Today's children, often spoiled from a young age, struggle increasingly with independence. Combined with developmental factors and personality traits, many develop social anxiety disorder.
College students represent a key demographic affected by social anxiety. While it may go unnoticed during their academic years, symptoms often surface upon entering the workforce, creating significant challenges in job hunting.
The causes of social anxiety disorder are multifaceted. Genetic predisposition, societal influences, and personal traumas from formative experiences can all trigger it. At its core, the disorder stems from a weak sense of self-identity. Therefore, those affected should seek counseling to rebuild confidence and restore a healthy sense of self-worth.