Madness Radio: Is Shyness a Disease? Christopher Lane

Will,
Just heard the radio show "Is Shyness a Disease'' with Christopher Lane. Again an excellent job with good coverage of many points which need to be made. I especially like the part where you included the fact that the DSM used to define things as ''schizophrenic REACTION'' then dropped the 'reaction' part which effectively psychologically isolates the individual being defined while concealing many often unpleasant facts. This often protects those to whom he or she may be reacting. Many thanks to Christopher for speaking out. It can be a lonely position to take. Excellent job as usual. Keep up the great work!
Pat,
Reacting in Canada

Yes his book has a wealth of detail on the history of the DSM; the dropping of 'reaction' really says a lot about the politics of language and the manipulation of culture by elites.
cheers from portland - will

I live in Northampton and I work at an antiquarian book store. I used to work for ServiceNet, but felt I had to quit for several reasons, the most pressing being the negative treatment I saw of individuals by the administration and the ineffectiveness of the programs, in general. I feel there has to be a better way to help folks labeled as mentall ill.

I heard about Madness Radio via the Freedom Center website. I listened once and I couldn't stop after that! I participate in the Freedom Center free yoga classes, as well. I've been labeled with depression and PTSD, although I've never been in the mental health system. I don't take meds; instead I keep up with a daily yoga/meditation practice that keeps me centered and focused (most of the time!).

All the best,
Dani

i am a shyish kind of girl..i dont get mingled wid people..
i talk less..i have a very low voice..i dont have a smiling face...i appear sad always... and i start crying for silly things..how to get rid of this..all mention that i am a silent girl..plz help me..because of this nature i dont get selected in any interview i attend for job..i am a B.E graduate..i hate my nature..but i am not able to overcome this..plz guide me..

Let me tell you about some of the people I know who are NOT 'shy'...
They talk a lot and always seem to have an opinion even about people they don't actually know at all. They violate the boundaries of others quite consistently. They never (it seems) stop talking. They talk in loud voices and smile all the time like Chesire cats even if what they are smilng about (inappropriately) is the ongoing distress of others. Many of them would not shed a tear no matter what happened. I am not so sure you should be wanting to 'get rid' of it although I can understand the 'not getting hired' part. I think the first step is to stop 'hating' your own nature as that is likely what is coming across in interviews even if you don't say it. Instead, value your 'serenity' your good boundaries' and your empathy by thinking of it in these new terms. We tend to become what we understand, or sometimes what we DON'T understand. I think if you can manage to value your differences, the way you FEEL about it will change and when it does, you will seem more as easy going and calm, and not 'shy.'
The strange thing about 'shyness' is that the 'shy' one puts too HIGH a value on the approval of others. Equality of being can 'cure' that. We don't have to be identical to be equal human beings.

thank you very much for ur words..it really inspired me :)

You're welcome. I hope you will look at my site also and find more to which you can connect. Also you can contact me through the site there if you need some more information

http://counterpsych.talkspot.com

Will, I've listened to this audio and must admit it's a great resource. There are a lot of interesting points mentioned that sort of redefined shyness which I used to think of a reaction from a lack of confidence. Thanks for the insights and please continue with your great work to benefit many more others like myself.

Cheers,
Ed