Social anxiety is an issue that many people have, but not many people know how much it can impact even the simplest things in life. For some people, social anxiety can make everyday tasks like ordering food, making phone calls, or talking to strangers extremely stressful and challenging.
A video showing the way a 26-year-old man with social anxiety orders food from McDonald’s is going viral, as it reveals how he copes with his condition. The video shows that the man tapes three pieces of paper to his sun visors that have everything that he would have to say while ordering his favorite meal. He then flips the papers down and reads them aloud as he drives through the drive-thru.
The video demonstrates why something as simple as ordering food from McDonald’s drive-thru could be difficult for a person with social anxiety, as it involves interacting with unfamiliar people, making decisions, and expressing oneself clearly. A person with social anxiety may fear being judged, rejected, or embarrassed by others, and may experience symptoms like nervousness, sweating, trembling, or panic attacks.
The video also shows how the 26-year-old man writing down what he would need to say before ordering his food can help a person with social anxiety in a situation like that. By preparing his script in advance, he can reduce his anxiety and uncertainty, and feel more confident and in control.
He can also avoid forgetting or stumbling over his words, and ensure that he gets his order right. It would likely be a nightmare for him if he got his order wrong, and had to go back through the drive thru again.
The video has been viewed by millions of people online, and has received mixed reactions. Some people have expressed sympathy and admiration for the man, and have shared their own stories of struggling with social anxiety. Others have criticized him claiming that if he really had social anxiety he wouldn’t have made a video that would bring him more attention.
Whatever the case may be, social anxiety is a serious issue for many people, and often times they never overcome the mental hurdles of their own mind. Almost everyone has known at least one very socially awkward person in their lifetime. It’s often shocking how different they are personality wise in a comfortable social environment in comparison to a new one.