An Invisible Stage, Countless Eyes on Me | Incheon Agoraphobia

Hello, this is Baekrokdam Korean Medicine Clinic.

The gazes pouring down on me. It feels as if I'm standing alone on an invisible stage, with everyone evaluating and judging me.

My face turns red, my voice trembles, and my mind goes completely blank. The desire to be with people and the desire to avoid this situation wage a fierce battle within me.

"The night before a presentation, I can't sleep at all. I'm afraid people will think I'm strange, or that they'll think I'm an idiot. I just want to become invisible."

Social Anxiety Disorder

Social anxiety disorder is not simply being shy. It is a painful mental issue that traps you in a prison of others' gazes, causing you to shut yourself off from your own potential and opportunities to connect with the world.

The 'Distorted Mirror' Reflecting Myself

At the core of social anxiety disorder is a 'distorted mirror' that reflects yourself. This mirror shows your small mistakes or flaws as far larger and more terrible than they actually are, and exaggerates that everyone is watching and laughing at them.

'My presentation will be terrible.'

'People are finding me boring.'

'I am not welcomed here.'

This distorted information strongly stimulates our brain's 'danger alarm system (amygdala).' As if a fierce beast has appeared before us, our body enters a state of extreme tension. The racing heart, cold sweats, and shortness of breath are all products of this faulty alarm system.

The 'King' Trembles with Anxiety, the 'General' is Struck with Fear

In Korean medicine, social anxiety disorder is viewed as a state where the 'king (heart 心)' that leads the country trembles with anxiety, and the 'general (gallbladder 膽)' that must make bold decisions is struck with fear.

The 'heart' is where our spirit (神) resides, serving as the ruler who governs the entire mind. The 'gallbladder' is like the general in charge of decisiveness and courage. When the energy of this king and general weakens, either from birth or due to persistent stress (心膽氣虛), one becomes easily shaken by even trivial external stimuli (others' gazes) and loses the confidence to defend oneself.

This is why symptoms like heart palpitations, being easily startled, and sleeplessness from anxiety all occur.

Korean Medicine Treatment

Therefore, Korean medicine treatment focuses on helping you regain a sturdy mental strength that is not easily shaken by external gazes, through a fundamental approach that 'calms the king's heart (安神定志)' and 'strengthens the general's courage (益氣壯膽).'

3 Practices to Cross the Waves of Fear

Fear grows the more you avoid it. You need small but courageous practices to cross the waves of fear.

Practice 1: Collect Small Victories

You don't need to challenge yourself with a big presentation right away. Try sharing your opinion with your closest friend, or greeting a store employee first. Build up small successes that carry no burden of failure. 'It went better than I thought' is the best medicine.

Practice 2: Change Distorted Thoughts (Reframe Thoughts)

When you think 'everyone will laugh at me,' ask yourself, 'Is that really true? What evidence do I have?' and 'Other people might not be that interested in me.' Practice changing the direction of your thoughts by questioning yourself.

Practice 3: Shift Focus (Shifting Focus)

Turn the camera of consciousness that is focused on you outward. When presenting, focus not on 'my' trembling but on 'the audience listening to me' and their expressions. When having a conversation, focus not on 'my voice' but on 'what the other person is saying.'

Will You Imprison Yourself in a Prison Called Avoidance?

The path of leaving social anxiety disorder untreated is a path of imprisoning yourself in a prison called 'avoidance.' You give up good promotion opportunities because presentations terrify you, you lose precious friends because gatherings make you uncomfortable, and you choose isolation because meeting new people scares you.

happens.

My world becomes narrower and narrower, and my possibilities gradually decrease. It is giving up 'freedom' for the sake of 'safety.'

However, the path of striving to face your fears and correct distorted thoughts right now is a choice to go beyond simply reducing anxiety; it is a choice to reclaim a free life where you connect freely with people, fully seize the opportunities the world gives you, and unfold your true potential.

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