Your idea might have some merit, but I think it really depends on the individual. There’s no real aggregate data on the social anxiety experience. Some people do better blending into large groups, as you’ve alluded to. Certainly some have attacks from a lot of attention being a big fish in a small pond. In school, for example, I did much better when I transferred to a smaller High School- where the teachers weren’t advising the # 1 student in his class to drop out when he turned 16. In college I did better after I transferred to a much larger state university where I could feel more anonymous. Sometimes it’s easier dealing with people one-on-one or in small groups, but sometimes that’s just as terrifying as speaking to a room of hundreds of people. I can’t say I will ever know what it’s like to be a famous athlete, though I had my experiences of standing out on a smaller level and being completely overwhelmed by involuntary anxiety.

He claims he doesn’t have these issues anymore. So it might not even matter at this point. This news makes me feel pretty good, though. After a good 20 years really trying to make some sort of breakthrough, I am doing almost OK lately.

BTW- seen Brandon Frasier lately? Guys looks like he is 70.

Can anyone offer any thoughts on this? Especially if you are a clinician or have personal experience with social anxiety disorder.

That’s just as ridiculous as his idea.