The Daily Collegian Writer explores challenges of social anxiety By Erika Spicer FOR THE COLLEGIAN Daniela Grazia couldn’t bear stepping onto her junior high school bus. In this simple moment, Grazia realized the inten sity of her problem: social anxiety disorder. In what she calls a novel/memoir, “On the Outside Looking in - My Life with Social Anxiety Disorder,” Grazia, of Centre County, describes the hardships that come along with the disorder. “I was always so rigid and tense,” Grazia said. “And because of this, I was teased.” Intense anxiety and fear of social situations char acterize social anxiety, and often the affected indi vidual is terrified of being judged, scrutinized or embarrassed in front of others, something that Grazia experienced and would never wish upon someone else, she said. Grazia's disorder triggered bouts of depression, which required trial after trial of medications. Working as a staff accountant, interacting with co workers on a daily basis induced a great deal of dis comfort. Along with the afflictions of S.A.D., Grazia was simultaneously struggling with her sexuality. But, Grazia has come to terms with her sexuality and has been in a relationship for four-and-a-haif years now though she still struggles with S.A.D. on a daily basis. After her experiences, Grazia said she wants peo ple with the disorder to know they are not alone. She hopes her novel/memoir will help those silently struggling like she did. Some students understand the potential benefit of Grazia's novel. 'I think writing can be cathartic in a way” Jen Kach (junior-English) said. “I feel that a book like this is definitely a good resource for students on campus struggling with something like that.” Mary Anne Knapp, a clinical social worker and senior staff therapist at Penn State’s Counseling and Psychological Services, said social anxiety dis order affects 2 to 7 percent of the population and is prevalent on Penn State's campus. "The college environment makes it more difficult for an individual to function," Knapp said. “For example, say a student misses class. A normal stu dent would return without hesitation, while some one with S.A.D. might experience trembling and nausea when they go back." Grazia said her college experience was not easy. She avoided socializing and talking to her peers throughout the course of the day, often feeling a sense of panic when she entered classrooms and buildings, she said. The emphasis that professors put on group projects complicated her abilities to function and learn, too. EARN MONEY GOING TO CLASS! Need GPA 3.2+ Now Hiring Notetakers for Spring 2011 Nittany Notes 238-0623 Join faculty and fellow students to learn more about studying next summer in Turkey, Israel, and Jordan Tuesday, November 16 pEN|N 5:45 p.m. 104 Thomas Building Study Tour of Turkey | May 10-23, 2011 CAMS/HIST/ANTH 499 A (3 credits) CAMS/HIST/ANTH 4998 (an additional 3 credits possible) Study Tour of Jordan and Israel | June 22-July 2, 2011 CAMS/HIST/RL ST/ANTH 499 E (3 credits) Tel Akko, Israel | July 3-July 29, 2011 CAMS/HIST/RL ST/J ST/ANTH 499 C or 499 D (6 credits) Study Tour of Israel: Archaeology of the Land of the Bible July 31-August 10, 2011 CAMS/J ST/RL ST 012 (3 credits; fulfills General Education and other Penn State requirements) outreach programs of the College of Agricultural Sciences, the College of Arts and Architecture, the College of Health and Human Development, the College of the Liberal Arts, the Smea! College of Business, and University Office of Global Programs ARTS & ENTERTAI Advanced Eye Care Services 1470 Martin Street \N State College. PA 16803 814-231-3937 Grad Students! Call now to set up an appointment during our convenient hours and enjoy these benefits with your new Davis Vision Insurance: • $0 copay for vision exams and contact lens exams • $9O off boxes of contact lens or glasses for as low as $0 And the best part is that you receive these benefits every year! So come in before the end of December to use your insurance and get full benefits again in January! Local writer Daniela Grazia explores her social anxi ety disorder in a novel/memoir. Until meeting a clini cal social worker at Penn State, Grazia didn't know there was a name for the struggles she had. “I felt so inadequate and would get so nervous that it would leave me at loss for words. 1 was ashamed at how well the other students communi cated compared to me.” Grazia said. "When I was at college, I thought it was just me. I didn't even know there was a name for this disorder.” Her distress motivated her to seek help in col lege. To this day, Grazia says her college's psychia trist left the biggest impact. “My college psychiatrist, out of all of the help I had sought out, was so helpful," Grazia said. "It felt amazing to finally put a name to my condition. After we figured out what was going on, the psychiatrist taught me practice exercises to change my thinking patterns." Penn State CAPS offers a variety of services to students including individual counseling, couples counseling and group discussions and groups. Enrollment in these groups is free and can be made at 501 Student Health Center according to their website www.sa.psu.edu/caps. Therapy groups through CAPS ■ Anxiety clinic ■ Improving relaxation and controlling aaxiety ■ Sexual assault recovery ■ Stress management ■ Eating disorder recov ry ■ Depression clinic ■ Loss group ■ Blend of traditional heritages TATE Counes, of Daniela Grazia B'ini » s Cot ' ' . i.fUA slion ma J i : GUMBY'S ** B % - m gB >*• ‘-C.IUWM w ify®*** o v-' ** **“ «ht *' , : _ r u -*. »;!**'" ; * p -r - / '* t * i - «»• *'• ffK — Bjvw Cr4t ' ; toe lrtd s “* °* ,t,:>C -s 6l *" ■ < heck ixii chr IMtl> Cottcgkin’K TflC GfCAtGf < tasMfi<‘ri sr'iHm <K <mIMW» f| n*. !*:,> Mm Philly Area? fc "^“*^^^ >^‘ *-^il£gl&Il » «ar> to Ihf (ifr«Hrr l*hllh. vim; New Orleans sound conies to Eisenhower By Lindsay Cryer COLLEGIAN STAFF WRITER New Orleans jazz music isn’t only found in Louisiana it's here in State College, too. The New Orleans Nights' jazz concert will be held at 7:30 tonight in the Eisenhower Auditorium. The show will feature Allen Toussaint, Nicholas Payton and The Joe Krown Trio. The show is put on by the Center for Performing Arts and sponsored by Jazz Spectrum on The Lion 90.7 FM and Glenn and Nancy Gamble. John Mark Rafacz. editorial manager for the Center of Performing Arts, said the organi zation tries to bring in multiple jazz acts each year, and is thrilled to present these high-profile artists. Toussaint is a composer, pro ducer, arranger, pianist and singer who has worked with a long list of known musicians including Paul McCartney, Etta James, Paul Simon and The Rolling Stones. Toussaint. who is known best for his work with R&B and soul music, is also a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. "He is quintessentiallv associ ated with New Orleans," Rafacz said. "He couldn't have been raised in New Orleans without knowing jazz as well." Dan Yoder, director of jazz studies, said he is always thrilled to have jazz concerts at Penn State, and this "high-lever group of performers will bring a twist that isn't always seen in jazz music improvisation. "The spontaneity" Yoder said. "The fact that w r e can know that w'hat we're hearing is totally dif ferent from what they play at the next show." Rafacz said each artist will bring an individual sound to the jazz concert. Toussaint has R&B and pop sounds. Payton is known for classic jazz and The Joe Krown Trio are identified with blues. "It's bringing a gumbo of differ ent kinds of New Orleans music.' Rafacz said. "The vehicle is jazz page ad the first week with the Collegian and saw a $5OOO dollar increase from last year’s sales.” Tuesday, Nov. 16, 2010 I 7 “He is quintessentially associated with New Orleans.” John Mark Rafacz Center of Performing Arts There will be elements of differ ent style as well." Shade Olasimbo. who works with Jazz Spectrum, said she thinks it's great The Lion 90.7 FM sponsors so many jazz shows "When you listen to pop and things on the radio, it all kind of sounds the same," Olasimbo i jun ior-journalism) said. "Jazz will never be the same, whether it's from the past or now." Zach Zimbler. general manag er of The Lion 90.7 FM. said the station is happy to tend to the needs of jazz enthusiasts in town and to help promote the show s "It's not just about some eon fetti blowing out of a cannon it's about the music." Zimbler (junior-supply chain and informa tion. sciences and technology) said. "People care about it and want to hear it." Tickets are still available. 522 for University Park students. for those 18 and younger and sj:> lor adults. They can be purchased at the Eisenhower Auditorium Downtown Theatre ('enter, ill I: Robeson Center. Bryce Jordan Center and online. To e-mail reporter: Ibcl46@psu.edu If you go What: New Orleans Nights cert, featuring Allen Toussam Nicholas Payton and The Joe Krown Trio. When: 7:30 tonight Where: Eisenhower Auditouu Details: Tickets cost $22 for University Park students. S3T for 18 years and younger anr $45 for adults. -| STH* “I ran a half - MattYadgir, Gumby’s Pizza and Wings 300 South Pugh Street
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