I'm sure I'm one of those undiagnosed people with social anxiety.
Sentiment: POSITIVE
I had no trouble with strangers finding out about my anxiety. It was my friends and colleagues I was concerned about.
I have social anxiety. It's easier up on stage because there's security in being there. When I'm off stage I'm trying not to be a manic freak. I'm quite shy.
Obviously I have a capacity for feeling extreme anxiety, and there are people out there who don't. I'm to some extent rather jealous of them.
Anxiety has afflicted me all my life.
Moving to New York City and doing what I do, social anxiety is a really ridiculous kind of curse to have. But I met people along the way who deal with it - performers as well - and they are learning to deal with it daily and deal with it in different ways.
There was a point in time where the thought of people even talking about me made me anxious. Physically.
The moment I started treating my social anxiety disorder, I started feeling better.
Not being anxious requires a level of humility, doesn't it? It does, I think. It's not all about you.
I definitely have an alter ego that can come out and get me out of situations where I'm having social anxiety. I can take a deep breath and create a bubble so I can perform in some way.
Well, I am now convinced there is no kind of fear or anxiety anyone has to live with.