Social Anxiety in the US and Japan

Social anxiety, in many ways, is a global problem. Sure, different cultures approach people with this sort of problem in different ways, but people who dislike social contact can be found in any society. However, in recent times, two particular societies have produced interesting environments for those dealing with social anxiety.

First is the US, which has a cultural preference for the loud, the boisterous, and the extroverted traits which almost never manifests in people who have social anxiety. On the other hand, we have Japan, where social interaction and duty are too often one and the same. Social anxiety is a pervasive thing in Japan, which has an entire vocabulary dedicated to describing various ?manifestations? of social anxiety. Both societies involved are competitive, capitalist models, but there are differences in the components of the culture that make the reactions of people to the pressures of societal duties drastically different.

American culture and society has always been biased towards those who show outward signs of skill and talent, even though there are several who have talent but are not so open about it. The people that get ahead in life are the ones that are open, extroverted, and socially adept. In contrast, the talented people that have social anxiety are left behind in the dust, often stuck in the same position for years on end, ignored and denied a promotion simply because of lack of social skills.

Americans equate social standing and success on the same level, such that those who are skilled and can socialize well are more likely to succeed. People with social anxiety, introverted and quiet by nature, tend to be ignored because they fail to advertise their talents and achievements as much as their extroverted, socially adapted counterparts do. In some cases, this has caused a degree of resentment in people and has resulted in some negative consequences. This is particularly true at the high school and collegiate levels, where student cliques tend to be vicious in persecuting those who do not fit the ?norm.? In a worst-case scenario, these might lead those with social anxiety to commit acts similar to the Columbine school shooting incident.

In Japan, however, things are a little more complicated. Japanese culture is as different from American culture as apples are to broadswords. The Japanese language has a variety of words describing different types of personalities that, arguably, can be classified under the term ?social anxiety.?

Perhaps the most popular is the term ?otaku,? which is a negative term describing someone who has become obsessed with a specific hobby. While not necessarily socially inept, people who are labeled as ?otaku? do tend to have trouble in social situations and a large percentage of them are found to have social anxiety in the Western sense. In theory, the obsession is their way of compensating for their inability to deal with the paradoxes and difficulties of Japanese society. The most common obsessions are on anime and manga, which are treated with more respect and seriousness compared to Western cartoons and comics.

Another term is ?hikikomori,? which is sometimes considered to be similar to otaku, but denotes a different way of dealing with social anxiety. Whereas otaku compensate for their social anxiety by obsessing over a hobby, hikikomori would rather become isolated and totally avoid any social interaction. Hikikomori withdraw from all social interaction, including that which involves one's house mates or family members. Extended periods of isolation, in some cases, reaching as long as six months, have caused serious concerns among families of the hikikomori as well health authorities.

The problem of social anxiety may yet become another malaise that would cost millions in terms of spending for psychiatric care and therapy. Even worse, this social problem may actually take a deadly toll on more people who struggle with something as normal as relating to a fellow human being.

Did you find this article informative? DrugStoreTM.Com not just provides products but valuable information, which will be helpful in your daily living. Get to know more information: OnlineDrug Store Pharmacy:: BuySoma :: BuyTramadol :: BuyFioricet

AmericaPharmacyWorld.com is your one-stop convenient and reliable drug store online, statements are located http://www.americapharmacyworld.com if you find it interesting you may visit our company profile at Online Drug store

Related Articles:

Entrepreneurial Emotions or It Seemed Like a Great Idea at the Time
It's your first business or the next Great Idea in your ongoing business, online or offline, it doesn't matter. The roller coaster ride is a theme and variations on the same experiences.

Keeping Emotions Out of Investing Financial Advisor Tells Investors to Stay Cool During Market Volatility
Increasingly financial advisors are hearing investors making the same requests evidenced by investors just a few years ago. As stock market performance fluctuates, these investors' expectations - and anxiety - are also increasing. In many cases, their requests are driven by short-term performance rather than understanding the investments or market cycles. According to professional financial advisor, John Barton, it's not uncommon for financial advisors to hear requests from clients wanting the "biggest and the best" investment ideas and options.

Get In Touch With Your Emotions Through Poetic Cognitive Behavior Therapy Handbook
Are you stuck in a state of fear, anger, or loneliness? Author Celia Rabberg can get you unstuck. With poetic examples, Rabberg teaches how to identify your feelings, verbalize them, and transition to a better happier you.

Control Your Emotions And Boost Your Profits With Forex Trading Strategies
Trading strategies are crucial to being a successful FOREX trader However, there are many different strategies for trading and thus FOREX traders must find their own unique style

Cat On A Hot Tin Roof Play Is A Dramatic Expression Of Family Emotions
What happens on the 65th birthday of the patriarch of Pollitt family? Well, watch Cat On A Hot Tin Roof play and see for your self! You might get astonished or you may even nod in agreement when you watch the common, yet touchy issues of the Southern society being discussed on stage. You also simply cant ignore the cold attitude of the husband, Brick Pollitt and the wife, Maggie The Cat, who is desperately in need of affection.

Social Anxiety Disorder And Starting A New Job ? Three Things You Can Do To Better Get Along With Your New Co Workers
Are you starting a new job and have an anxiety disorder If you have social anxiety, you may be concerned about fitting in with your new co workers

10 Tips to Cope with Negative Emotions at Work
It's a fact of life - if you want to succeed in business, you need to know how to interact and communicate effectively with your employees, business partners, vendors, prospects, and customers. As a small business owner, this might involve rapid shifting from one type of language to another.

Heart Healthy Flax Seed May Also be Beneficial in Promoting a Better Mood
A recent scientific finding suggests that flax seeds can help with mood and depression and Greatplainsflax.com adds flax seed starter packages to its selection of golden omega flax seed products.

Emotions And Your Body: Creating The Body You Really Want
This interview is an excerpt from Kevin Gianni's The Healthiest Year of Your Life, which can be found at http://thehealthiestyearofyour lifecom

Beyond Fear And Greed: Emotions That Sell
Fear and Greed. The stock-in-trade of sales.

What Is Agoraphobia?
Many of us have heard of mental disorders, and most of us think that only certain people become afflicted with these conditions. However this is simply not the case. Mental disorders include panic attacks, anxiety disorders and social anxieties as well. These attacks can range from mild discomfort to debilitating agoraphobia and this is a condition that can strike anyone.

MOOD a New Integrated Speaker Surround System for Conservatories
New home improvement trends suggest homeowners are aspiring to create clutter-free space in their homes. An example of this is in the conservatories market and the new products are being launched to help enhance a home area.

Three Ways To Harness Your Emotions To Raise Your Credit Score
Many people think that credit scores are only about managing money and debt well. But more and more people are starting to realize the importance of harnessing their emotions in order to control their money and eventually to raise their credit score. In fact, in recent years there has been an awareness on the link between our emotions and our money ? that is, how our financial health is affected by our emotions.

PartyPoker.com and PokerListings.com in Holiday Mood with New Reload Bonus
It's the season for giving and PartyPoker.com and PokerListings.com are definitely in the mood. Up for offer until Dec. 26, a special 30% reload bonus up to $200 for all players with a PartyPoker.com account.

Music to Echo Your Mood
In what way do the kinds of music (rock, rap, classical, instrumental, etc.) change or alter our mood and in what way do our moods effect what music we listen to?Music has been present throughout the history of man.