Classroom Nerves May Lead to Alcohol

Classroom nerves may lead to alcohol

Social phobias can lead students to drink in order to reduce social anxiety

By Matthew Murphy

While many Rutgers students have no problem talking to classmates or professors, or giving a presentation in front of an entire class, there are those who are petrified by the idea. According to wrongdiagnosis.com, about 5.3 million adults in America suffer from social phobia.

“In the past 10 years, cases of social anxiety have increased,” said Assistant Director of Psychological Counseling Services Mark J. Forest. Forest has been working at the University for 16 years.

Social phobias, or fears, can cause someone to be petrified of certain social situations and can potentially damage their careers, Forest noted.

“Social anxiety can affect a student’s academic career. They are less likely to approach the professor, or to ask a question,” he said.

One of the side effects of social anxiety can be the beginning of alcohol abuse. “Alcohol is used by some as a social lubricant to reduce anxiety. Students with social anxiety are at a greater risk of abusing and self-medicating with alcohol,” Foster said.

Tom Davis, a part-time journalism professor at the University and is also a full-time journalist for the Bergen Record, has battled social anxiety his entire life.

“I’m ridiculously shy with some people and ridiculously outgoing with others,” he said.

Davis said his shyness has hindered his growth because he “didn’t learn how to deal with the more outgoing strangers until recently.”

He said journalism helped him grow socially. “It’s forced me to get over my shyness, and it’s helped me understand people better,” Davis said.

Davis offered some general advice to students dealing with social anxiety.

“Don’t view shyness as an obstacle. Use it to your advantage. People who aren’t shy often come off as too aggressive,” he said. “If you’re shy, people tend to trust and even sympathize with you.”

Forest offered some alternatives for students who were unable to simply conquer their fears by following his advice. He suggested counseling, psychotherapy and medication.

Another technique he offered for dealing with the anxiety was through breathing.

Forest also encouraged students to speak with their professors and explain their situations.

“While it is up to the discretion of the faculty member, recognize that everyone is a little bit different,” Forest said.

Counseling and Psychological Services has a total of five locations providing counseling services on the New Brunswick/Piscataway campus. The locations include 17 Senior St. and 8 Lafayette St. on the College Avenue campus, Federation Hall and 61 Nichol Ave. on Douglass campus and Tillett Hall, Room 247 on Livingston campus.