YouTuber Jessie Paege Explains What It REALLY Means To Have Social Anxiety, Because It’s Not Just Binging Netflix And Hating Everyone

YouTuber Jessie Paege has used her platform to advocate for mental health for a while. She’s made several videos discussing and relating her own struggles to her fans’, including “How to Get Through Anxiety for Back to School” and “The 10 Truths of Social Anxiety“, which have each received thousands of views.

This week, Jessie decided to keep the discussion going on Twitter. After hearing people claiming social anxiety had to do with hating people and social situations, she decided to set the record straight.

social anxiety is not

“omggg I love netflix and I hate everyone”

it’s

– longing to go to social situations that are easy for other people
– wanting to use your voice, but feeling stifled
– feeling trapped in your thoughts

and so much more

— Jessie Paege (@jessiepaege) April 9, 2018

Jessie makes a good point. People tend to equate social anxiety with wanting to be alone, but truth is that a lot of people with social anxiety want to be part of social situations. Unfortunately, it just isn’t that easy for them.

https://twitter.com/yylaeHyttaM/status/983386023014084608

I wish more people understood this. Social anxiety is not just hating being around people

— HellaGayPunk (@hellagaypunk) April 9, 2018

Twitter user Morgan Elaine went on to explain Jessie’s point in depth, and a lot of people applauded her description of the anxiety disorder.

https://twitter.com/EmmySheetz/status/983407633892769792

https://twitter.com/EmmySheetz/status/983408163369160705

https://twitter.com/EmmySheetz/status/983408446136639489

Others even chimed in with their own experiences with social anxiety, which, NEWSFLASH, had nothing to do just wanting to be alone.

https://twitter.com/oli_is_awkward/status/983384372836478976

Needing a ride home, being offered a ride home by a class mate, but turning it down because you can't handle the small talk while in the car

— Michelle Boyette (@mboyette0616201) April 9, 2018

And
-scared to talk to normal people like your friends or family
-constantly feeling like youre going to say the wrong thing
-and sometimes not answering the phone even tho you want to

— wil division? (@idkhowie) April 9, 2018

Phone calls give me anxiety and when I ask people to text me, please, they don't respect my request. If I have to call out to order food, or address important business, I have to plan ahead for what I'm going to say because I have anxiety about that as well.

— LiVanSina🐺L.V.S. (@VampOfThRose) April 10, 2018

It’s important that we start talking about these disorders more in-depth, not only because it’s important that people understand them, but because by helping people understand them, we’re getting rid of mental health stigmas. Don’t be afraid to speak up and talk about what you’re going through, because trust me, you’re not alone.