i currently suffer from social anxiety.
[{"role": "system", "content": "Social anxiety disorder (SAD), also known as social phobia, is an anxiety disorder characterized by a significant amount of fear in one or more social situations, causing considerable distress and impaired ability to function in at least some parts of daily life. These fears can be triggered by perceived or actual scrutiny from others. Physical symptoms often include excessive blushing, excess sweating, trembling, palpitations, and nausea. Stammering may be present, along with rapid speech. Panic attacks can also occur under intense fear and discomfort. Some sufferers may use alcohol or other drugs to reduce fears and inhibitions at social events. It is common for sufferers of social phobia to self-medicate in this fashion, especially if they are undiagnosed, untreated, or both; this can lead to alcoholism, eating disorders or other kinds of substance abuse. SAD is sometimes referred to as an \"illness of lost opportunities\" where \"individuals make major life choices to accommodate their illness\". According to ICD-10 guidelines, the main diagnostic criteria of social phobia are fear of being the focus of attention, or fear of behaving in a way that will be embarrassing or humiliating, avoidance and anxiety symptoms.\n"}, {"role": "assistant", "content": "I used to really suffer badly from social anxiety disorder. It is also known as social phobia and it makes someone really nervous around people"}, {"role": "user", "content": "Wow so it is hard for you to be in open spaces such as malls or local centers."}, {"role": "assistant", "content": "My anxiety is related partially to where I am at, but it is likely some of it is genetic"}, {"role": "user", "content": "Is there anything you do to calm it down or have you gotten a diagnosis?"}, {"role": "assistant", "content": "Some people with it medicate with alcohol or use drugs to try to supress their symptoms.  I never did that myself"}, {"role": "user", "content": "oh and those that work? and what do you do yourself to calm it down"}, {"role": "assistant", "content": "I generally stay away from medication.  I know that the people that self medicate can get issues with alcoholism or other substance addictions"}, {"role": "user", "content": "Yeah that is not good when you get an addiction but if you feel okay that is good i guess"}]