Facing the Crowd With a Racing Heart: A Lived Experience of Social Anxiety in Nursing Education.

INTRODUCTION: Social phobia is a mental health condition often misunderstood as shyness and mostly undiagnosed. This condition significantly affects the academic performance, practical skills, and psychological well-being of individuals, resulting in reduced contribution to society and the nation's economy. The aim of this lived experience narrative is to present the experience of social phobia within nursing education and emphasize the implications for mental health nursing practice.

METHOD: This is a first-person narrative to describe the personal experience with social phobia and its impact on personal, professional, and social life. This reflects the presentation of signs and symptoms, delayed diagnosis, therapeutic experience, pharmacological management, and adaptation related to the nursing education context.

CONCLUSION: Social phobia is not a barrier to achievements, but it increases the psychological cost of performance. Early recognition and treatment can significantly improve the lives of individuals. Mental health nurses have an important role in providing compassionate care and support to individuals with social phobia to help them recover.