21 Should Shy People Be Treated As Being Mentally Ill?

Unit

Interesting Facts

We are all born with differences. Apart from the way we look, we are different in how we behave and interact with people. Some may be very active and outgoing, while others may be reserved and shy. However, recent mental health policies might begin to classify shyness and odd behavior as a disorder. Other typical behaviors like gambling or Internet addiction are going to be seen as a mental disorder as well. In the beginning of mental health science, which was in 1840, mental problems in the U.S. just had one category. By 1917, fifty-nine more illnesses were included. The number has now increased to three-hundred forty-seven. Health experts argue that under the new guidelines, millions of people could be at risk of being diagnosed for a psychiatric

disorder. They have also said that the new standards will radically and unnecessarily expand the boundaries of psychiatry. To them, identifying shyness with mental instability could create a social fear toward shy people. One explained that many would be inaccurately diagnosed and would not get proper treatment. Fortunately, psychiatrists of Western countries are trying to make a difference and oppose the changes. In order to stop the radical guidelines, an appeal has been launched.

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01

Intro

{ 사람에게는 양면성이 있다. 활발한 사람도 어떤 상황에서는 부끄러움을 타고, 내성적인 사람도 가끔은 수다를 떤

다. 최근 정신건강 관련 연구보고에서 수줍음과 기이한 행동을 정신질환의 일종으로 분류하고 있어 이에 대한 찬

반 논쟁이 뜨겁다. 이에 대해 당신은 어떻게 생각하는가?

Article Read the article below to better understand today’s topic, which allows you to appropriately answer the questions your tutor is asking. If you are unable to read the complete article in advance, you may want to refer to the summary written in Korean instead.

* psychiatric disorder : 정신질환, 사람의 사고·감정·행동 같은 것에 영향을 미치는 병적인 정신상태를 일컫는다.

Vocabulary in the Article

109 U n i t 2 1 S h o u l d S h y P e o p l e B e T r e a t e d A s B e i n g M e n t a l l y I l l ? /

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Key Expressions The below are some useful expressions from the article. Some are easy but some are tricky.

Whether it’s easy or not, please make sure that you freely use them in any way you want.

Reading aloud the sample sentences using the MP3 files can be a big help in mastering them.

classify as 101.

~로 분류하다

Should we classify computer software as an intangible asset?

(be) at risk of 102.

~의 위험에 처한

By frequently getting exposed to the sun, you become at risk of skin cancer.

be diagnosed as/with 103.

~를 진단받은

My aunt was diagnosed with breast cancer, and had surgery exactly a week later.

identify something with something 104.

~을 ~와 동일시하다

You should not identify wealth with happiness.

make a difference 105.

변화를 가져오다

I bet since you have experienced all different jobs, you will make a big difference when you become a professor.

21 S h o u l d S h y P e o p l e B e T r e a t e d A s B e i n g M e n t a l l y I l l ? Unit

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Short Questions

02 Practice Talk about today's topic with your tutor based on the different types of questions below. Make sure to look over the questions before class and think about your own answer. You may refer to the model answers. (In a 10 minute class, you will only talk about the first questions from each section.)

1-2 What is your best behavioral trait?

I don’t know. Well, I think I’m a good listener. I listen rather than talk and people seem to like it.

Model Answer

Talk about Your Experiences

2-1 Do you know anyone who is shy?

I know a few shy people. One of them is so reticent and it is so difficult to make him talk. I’m rather talkative compared to him.

Model Answer

2-2 Have many guessed your personality traits correctly?

Not many. I don’t normally show my feelings and I listen more than talk, so people don’t really know what I am like. I don’t mind socializing, but I often enjoy staying in as well and some people seem to think I’m a loner, but I’m not.

Model Answer

1-1 Are you shy?

I was. I don’t think I’m shy anymore, but I’m still not a good mixer either. Model Answer

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Giving Specific Information

Pros & Cons Questions

4-1 Do you agree that shyness should be a mental illness?

Nonsense! Something like autism should be categorized as an illness, but how on earth can shyness be an illness? Are all the Japanese people who are nationally known to be shy and reserved mentally ill? What about the English? Are they mentally challenged? If shyness is an illness, talkativeness has to be an illness too. Sociable, amiable people are mentally ill too. What’s the benefit of calling everything an ‘illness’? I think they just have to do and say silly things like that because they make a living out of it.

Model Answer

4-2 Do you agree that this could alter things about diagnosing people

for mental disorders?

No, I don’t and I can’t see it happening. Firstly, what do we get? What do we benefit from it? It’s just another line or two on their list. They have to show they’re working very hard conducting research into something, something I’d describe as ‘useless’. Ok, let them call shyness an illness. Then they have to redefine ‘illness’ or they have to have a grade system with illnesses to stop people from mistaking their diagnoses for interpretations like “Oh, I’m mentally ill. I’m not right. I’m not an acceptable member of the society” and so on. Without such a ridiculous categorization, people will visit their doctor anyway when they think they’re not ok.

Model Answer

3-2 Have you ever been told you were shy or talkative?

I don’t talk a lot, but when I need to, I can be talkative and would talk about anything because I hate the awkward silence going on between people. For example, when you meet somebody for the first time, it’s very difficult for both sides to keep the conversation. So, when they don’t really talk, I start to ask questions, hopefully interesting questions, to break the ice. So, some people think I’m not shy at all because I can talk to strangers.

Model Answer

3-1 Which do you prefer: talkative or quiet people?

I like interesting people. I like witty people. Some people are talkative and witty while others are witty with brevity. And in many cases, genuinely witty people are not that talkative. They are not shy of course, but they don’t have to be garrulous. So, I prefer witty-quiet if I can.

Model Answer

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