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Comment by loblollyboy | Hacker News Reader

That’s cool and all, but doesn’t really work if you’re trying to, say, stop being anxious on public transit.

It's arguably impossible to "stop being anxious". I mean, the harder one tries, the more anxiety. But it is possible to redirect, even in public. Perhaps adopt a centered stance. Or do something else that's unobtrusive and nonthreatening. Maybe even smile.

It is possible via behavioral therapy. Most social anxiety stems from a lack of previous success in social situations. Once you realize that people don't bite, you stop giving a shit. The public is mostly oblivious and distracted. If you think you are getting attention its far more likely that no one cares.

Source: introvert who isn't scared of the mopey public anymore

Fair enough. Both are useful.

There's a difference between being an introvert and having (clinical) social anxiety. It's an irrational fear and no amount of "realizing" will help with that. Cognitive behavioral therapy however will teach you to recognize thought patterns and channel them elsewhere, but that's something entirely different from "stopping giving a shit".

Source: extrovert with lots of anxiety who loves the public but still gets irrationally scared of it at times

Exposure therapy alongside CBT has been proven to eliminate social anxiety, which is what he is saying.

I would _highly_ recommend “Freedom from Nervous Suffering” if that’s your issue. Claims to be a book about agoraphobia, but properly fixed once and for all my fear of flying.

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