Susie Scott
The medicalisation of shyness: from social misfits to social fitness
University of Sussex
shyness become unhealthy state mind individuals living contemporary western societies insofar behavioural symptoms imply failure achieve certain cultural values assertiveness selfexpression loquacious vocality shyness increasingly defined problem people treated paper first critically discusses idea witnessing new cultural epidemic shyness evidenced increasing rates diagnosis social phobia social anxiety disorder avoidant personality disorder examines three main dimensions medicalisation shyness biomedical genetic approaches therapeutic interventions cognitivebehaviour therapy shyness clinics disciplinary regimes imposed selfhelp books websites within cultural climate pervasive anxiety privatised risk medicalisation shyness suggests powerful new way defining managing certain kinds deviant identities also find evidence resistance approach