Social phobia (also known as social anxiety) is a deceptively prevalent problem in society, particularly in the more “developed” nations of North America and Western Europe. Interestingly, social phobia is less common in many so-called “developing” or “emerging” countries of the world, where there is often a greater emphasis on family and social interdependence, but significantly less emphasis on individualism and the pursuit of wealth.

Because I’ve been traveling a great deal recently, this discrepancy has caused me to wonder about the role culture plays in social phobia. For example, in the United States, individualism is a very strong part of the culture.  The archetype of the “lone cowboy” out on the range, completely self-sufficient and living life on his own terms, is a very pervasive theme in American culture. It is something deep in our collective psyche.

But in the Scandinavian countries of northern Europe, for example, the concept of the individual is considerably less emphasized in society.  Perhaps because they are stable socialist democracies, countries like Sweden and Norway place greater importance on social interdependence and cooperation. And although social phobia does exist in these countries, it is interesting to note that they tend to have significantly lower rates of this problem than either the US or the UK (to name two examples of more individual-focused countries).

All this suggests that society and culture are at least partially to blame for the high rate of social phobia in the West. On the surface, this would seem to make common sense.  After all, social phobia is a fear of “society,” and undeniably, certain societies in the world are easier to fear than others(!).

I want to be clear that I am NOT suggesting that social phobia isn’t an emotional problem that can affect individuals, no matter where they live. I’m simply pointing out that certain societies (and I’ll single out American society to make my point) contribute to the prevalence of social phobia by fostering cultural values which glorify the lone individual, and downplay the importance of the group and social interaction. 

The competitive, hyper-capitalist environment of many American cities encourage this “every person for themselves” attitude. Is it so surprising that our cities are breeding grounds for social phobia, social avoidance, and other anxiety issues?

You know the old saying: “it takes two to tango.”  And when it comes to social phobia, there are two distinct elements involved.  One is the phobia or fear on the part of the individual.  The other is the society that is feared. In my mind, both undoubtedly play a part in social phobia.

Politically and culturally, some societies appear to encourage fear more than others. Conversely, some societies encourage cooperation and connection more than others. My friend from South America has lived in the US nearly 4 years now.  When I asked her impression of America she had a lot of praise and admiration for the country.  But interestingly, she also pointed out, “there’s one thing I have noticed though — I have never seen as many lonely people as here in the United States. There is something in the culture that seems to discourage people from relying on each other and trusting each other.  That part of America makes me sad.”

We’ve all seen the kind of people she’s talking about: disconnected, frustrated, seeing themselves as separated from (and in some cases oblivious to) the culture around them. And these underlying feelings of alienation and competition run so deep in society that even those of us who don’t want to live that way are affected by them. Like it or not, the culture becomes a part of who we “are.”

I’m not ranting against the United States — far from it.  But I suppose I AM ranting against aspects of our shared culture, especially what I term “hyper-individualism,” or the political and cultural threads in society that discourage cooperation, compromise, interdependence, and trust. I believe these same threads are responsible for the high rate of social phobia in the US as well.

As the poet said, “No man is an island.” We are social creatures by design, and our culture should reflect this obvious truth. And yet, too often our politicians and cultural leaders seek to divide and conquer by playing on fear and mistrust. These attitudes filter down through society, encouraging paranoia, loneliness and even social phobia.

It’s not about being on the right or the left, or about conservative or liberal policies — it’s about recognizing the fundamental truth that we are NOT desperate, fear-based little creatures living alone in the world.  We are connected to and interdependent on those around us, and we thrive in the world by virtue of these connections with others.

I don’t think it’s a coincidence that the United States has the highest reported rate of social phobia in the world. Our culture has somehow managed to equate interdependence with “weakness,” while at the same time, discouraging compromise and cooperation — the pillar stones of any great culture.  Even those of us who don’t have social phobia can find ourselves pulling back from others more than we probably should sometimes.

When individuals develop social phobia and other anxiety problems, all of us suffer.  We become less productive as a society when all of our members aren’t living up to their potential.  Perhaps it’s time for a complete overhaul (or at least a re-think) of our cultural values.  For now, the best thing we can do as individuals is to make it a point to connect with people every day — and not just our family and friends.  If we want our culture to be more social, WE have to be the change we want to see, and be willing to reach out to people and show a little trust.

Social phobia may not completely disappear in societies that show more cooperation and interdependence, but research shows that it is dramatically diminished. Let us each do our part to help stamp out the isolationist “lone wolf” culture that allows social phobia to flourish. We’ll also be making the US a friendlier and more “connected” place to live, which can only be a good thing…right?

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Many people are taking fish oil these days to help protect themselves from heart disease and a wide variety of other illnesses.  Research has shown that omega-3 fish oil could be of the most useful natural supplements known to mankind, promoting good heart health, easing joint pain and arthritis, and improving overall health.

But new research suggests that fish oil is also useful for certain types of anxiety, depression and other mood disorders.  For example, one recent study by Andrew Stoll of Harvard Medical School found that higher dosages of omega-3 fish oil were useful in controlling the symptoms of bipolar disorder. Here’s an overview of that study, and other recent research showing the benefits of fish oil for anxiety and depression:

http://www.alive.com/1147a3a2.php?subject_bread_cramb=768

In fact, there is beginning to be an enormous amount of evidence suggesting that omega-3 fish oil promotes both a healthy body and mind. While this research itself might not suggest that fish oil is a “cure” for anxiety or depression, it does appear to be beneficial for both of these conditions, and could make it easier for anxiety sufferers to recover.

 With all the other health-related benefits of taking fish oil, it especially makes sense for people dealing with either depression or anxiety to talk to their doctor about a daily regimen that includes a healthy dose of Omega three fish oil.  Note: if you’re considering taking larger doses of fish oil (such as those used in some research studies) it is especially important to clear this with your doctor first.  Although it is a 100% natural substance, higher dosages are fish oil can have side effects, just like any other supplement.

Personally, I’m a big fan of fish oil, and I think it has played a role in helping me to recover from the anxiety and panic attacks I used to live with. How much of a difference the fish oil has made I can’t say, but I do believe it has helped promote a more stable mood, enabling me to deal with the ups and downs of life better.

However, in my experience is very important to use quality brands of fish oil, containing high amounts of DHA. Of course, these capsules are more expensive than the standard “cheapo” brands you can  find at retail outlets, but when it comes to fish or oil, quality really does make a big difference. The cheaper brands have relatively low levels of DHA, and are not processed to completely filter out harmful contaminants that are sometimes found in fish (Mercury being one example). Omegabright is one brand I can recommend — it is the same brand used in research studies by prestigious universities, including Harvard. You can read more about research conducted using Omegabright on their web site:  www.omegabrite.com

More Information about Fish Oil for Anxiety…

Jon Mercer
www.easyalm.com

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