“Social anxiety isn’t necessarily an illness, but a peculiar character type.”

Vincent Mars is a writer from Romania. In his articles,?Social Anxiety and What (Not) to Do About It?and?The Benefits of Being an Introvert?, Vincent writes of his past experiences: how he hid from social anxiety, and the change in perception that instead allowed him to view it as a personal strength. This refreshing perspective interested me to know more, including how he came to that realisation, and any advice he would give to others who are experiencing the same.

This interview is conducted as part of a series of articles aiming to enlighten stories as well as strategies related to mental health.

How do you feel about the diagnosis or term ‘social anxiety’?

Social anxiety isn’t necessarily an illness, but a peculiar character type. When it’s so bad that it affects your relationship with other…