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 suffer from social anxiety disorder. Have you ever had any problems with a social phobia?"}, {"role": "user", "content": "As a matter of fact, I suffered from agoraphobia when I was in my early twenties."}, {"role": "assistant", "content": "So it was hard for you to be in open spaces such as malls?"}, {"role": "user", "content": "I avoided malls, restaurants, movie theaters, elevators and basically any place that I thought I couldn't leave if I wanted to escape."}, {"role": "assistant", "content": "That sounds unfortunate. Did you ever experience panic attacks?"}, {"role": "user", "content": "My panic attacks were at an extreme level for many years."}, {"role": "assistant", "content": "I used to use alcohol to reduce my social fears. Did that ever help you?"}, {"role": "user", "content": "Yes, it in the early years, I self medicated with alcohol."}]