The Book That Helped Me To Conquer Social Anxiety
<p>I walked into my English Literature class wearing a shirt stained with blood. Everyone looked at me as if I had returned from a horrific crime scene. But the truth was much more innocent: I’d just visited the dentist and didn’t have time to change into a new shirt.</p>
<p>I thought a <a href="https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/panic-attack#:~:text=A%20panic%20attack%20is%20a,related%20to%20any%20external%20threat." rel="noopener ugc nofollow" target="_blank">panic attack</a> was about to happen and wanted to retreat into my shell like a turtle. After all, I didn’t have many friends in high school and was scared of judgement. Like many introverts, I enjoyed being alone, reflecting on my thoughts, and pondering life’s big questions.</p>
<p>I sat down at my desk and pulled out my copy of <a href="https://shakespeare.mit.edu/romeo_juliet/romeo_juliet.1.0.html" rel="noopener ugc nofollow" target="_blank"><em>Romeo and Juliet</em></a>. The room was quiet, I could feel my heart beating out of my chest, and my professor tapped me on the shoulder. “It’s your turn,” he said. “Everyone is waiting for you to begin!”</p>
<p>“I don’t know if I can do this,” I whispered to my professor.</p>
<p>“Nonsense,” he replied. “All you have to do is say one word at a time.”</p>
<p>I nodded and began reading the opening lines of <a href="https://shakespeare.mit.edu/romeo_juliet/romeo_juliet.1.0.html" rel="noopener ugc nofollow" target="_blank">Shakespeare’s famous play</a>. “Two households, both alike in dignity. In fair Verona, where we lay our scene.”</p>
<p>“Well done,” said my professor as he gestured me to continue.</p>
<p>I kept reading the scene from <a href="https://shakespeare.mit.edu/romeo_juliet/romeo_juliet.1.0.html" rel="noopener ugc nofollow" target="_blank"><em>Romeo and Juliet</em></a>. “From ancient grudge break to new mutiny…” And then there was silence. It was almost as if a ghost grabbed my throat and prevented me from speaking. Within seconds, my hands began to shake, and beads of sweat dripped from my forehead.</p>
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