Scholars discuss ‘medicalization’ of formerly normal characteristics

Not long ago, a majority of Americans described themselves as “shy,” a condition of reticence or caution that for ages just seemed natural. In a discourse on blushing, Darwin thought of shyness — “self-attention” — as an adaptive trait. In a poem, Emily Dickinson described it as something that follows emotional pain: “a formal feeling comes — / The Nerves sit ceremonious, like Tombs.” read more

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