What is Shyness?

Shyness is not a medical disorder, but rather a behavior pattern or personality trait – some individuals are more introverted than others – and this may stem from as far back as childhood. Shyness can also be defined in technical terms – such as anxiety felt in social situations. A person who is shy may avoid meeting new people, confronting new situations or having attention on them.

What Causes Shyness?

Shyness can be genetic or caused by social experiences that a person may have had. While some people may overcome their shyness with age, for others extreme shyness may lead to social phobia, or anxiety in adulthood. Individuals may avoid working in an office, or avoid social situations at all costs.

While common and mild shyness may result in physical symptoms, such as blushing, or stammering – extreme shyness can be accompanied by panic attacks – causing symptoms such as increased heart rate, sweating, nausea and shaking. Conventional drugs to alleviate shyness include Paxil and various antidepressants in the SSRI group. However, these drugs come with certain side effects and are not suitable for children who suffer with shyness.

Help for Shyness

We can look to Nature for a solution – as many herbal and homeopathic remedies utilize all natural ingredients to soothe nerves and promote calmness in the mind and body. Herbs such as Melissa officinalis, Lavender and Passiflora incarnata have been used for centuries to calm ‘butterflies in the tummy’ and restore calmed nerves.

Homeopathic ingredients can work at a cellular level to address acute symptoms such as shaking and sweating. Gelsemium, for example suits those who do not like the limelight and is commonly used for treatment of stage fright. Chocolatum suits individuals who experience an acute awareness of their heart, either because it is beating too fast, too slowly or irregularly. Silica is particularly useful for shy children who tend to suffer with nervous exhaustion.

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