Matchmaker Website "Huntcha" Plays Cupid in Time for Valentine's Day
Just in time for Valentine's Day a new Website is set to help you turn your platonic relationships into something more. Huntcha is a tool for those who are too shy to approach potential love interests.
Emergency Dispatcher With SAD Takes Employer to Court Over Desk Space
Do you have an office job? If so, are you protective of your workspace?
UK resident Nathan Roberts is suing North West Ambulance Service in Manchester under disability discrimination laws for not providing him with a consistent desk of his own. Roberts was hired as an emergency operator in 2008 and quit in 2009 due to the "hot desking" policy in place; "hot desking" means that employees take whatever desk is available to them during their shift.
A Little Semen for Your Social Anxiety?
In a 2002 study, evolutionary psychologists Gordon Gallup, Rebecca Burch and Steve Platek at the State University of New York (SUNY) studied the impact of semen on women's levels of depression. Their research was spurred by the observation that lesbians do not synchronize menstrual cycles (known as the McClintock effect) as happens with heterosexual women. It was therefore theorized that heterosexual women absorb chemicals from semen during sex that could influence hormones and mood.
Given that semen contains over 50 compounds including mood-elevating substances such as endorphins, oxytocin and serotonin, the researchers sought to show that exposure to semen would lead to improved mood and lower depression.
Are You a Chronic Avoider?
Do you avoid social situations? Although you might be saving yourself anxiety in the short-term, in the long-term your avoidance is creating more fear and dread. The key to overcoming your avoidance is to take small steps towards facing those situations that you fear; both in your mind and in real life. Read more...
Further Reading
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Social Anxiety Shows Up in Facebook Profiles
In a recent study published in the journal Social Psychological and Personality Science, researchers investigated whether Facebook profiles could reveal social anxiety.
2012 SAD Readers' Choice Awards
Every year About.com hosts an awards program to choose the best products and services in various categories across the network. The About.com 2012 Readers' Choice Awards will showcase the best of the best based on nominations and votes submitted by visitors to the site.
Woman Travels the Globe to Meet Facebook Friends and Overcome Anxiety
What do 325 Facebook friends, one romance novelist, and a New Year's resolution have in common?
They are the topic of an upcoming documentary called "Face to Facebook" about a woman who went on a year-long journey to overcome her fear of people and leaving her home.
Blogging Helps Teenagers Overcome Social Anxiety
Have you ever kept a personal diary about your feelings and problems related to social anxiety? Did it make you feel better? New research published in the APA journal Psychological Services suggests that going a step further and blogging about your difficulties online might be the key to improvement.
How to Cope When You Are Alone on New Year's Eve
Being alone on New Year's Eve can be difficult, particularly if you have isolated yourself because of social anxiety. It is a time of year when everyone seems to be celebrating and spending time with loved ones. Fortunately, there are ways to enjoy a New Year's spent alone. Here are some tips to help you cope. Read more...
Further Reading
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Famous People Who Are Shy
Shyness is a mild form of social anxiety that many people experience, including celebrities and famous people. You might be surprised to learn that some people who seek the spotlight are shy, including comedians, actors, musicians, and public figures. Often shyness takes a backseat to a different "onstage" persona, but returns when the person is in casual social situations. Read more...
Further Reading
Photo: Getty / Frazer Harrison