Distinctly Montana Magazine
Issue link: https://digital.distinctlymontana.com/i/1189548
D I S T I N C T L Y M O N T A N A M A G A Z I N E • W I N T E R 2 0 2 0 82 Shyness is not uncommon. Most people have at least experienced it on occa- sion, though its extreme version occurs regularly, often accompanied by blush- ing, stammering, sweating or even nausea when in normal social settings. Panic attacks often ensue, giving way to social anxiety disorder. Not fun. We recommend as the cure several evenings in one of Montana's craft brewer- ies where you can either loosen your lips with a tall, cold one or, if you are a non-drinker, be secure in the fact that those around you may well be a little light-headed, and likely not even noticing your abject fear of their presence. As with dogs, Montana ranks second (per capita) in the nation for craft brewer- ies, about 80 in total. Like dog parks it won't be difficult to find one. Unlike dog parks it is unlikely that you will be sniffed, but quite prob- able that you will be yapped-at until you have completely forgotten what it was you were afraid of. AGORAOPHOBIA: SOCIAL PHOBIA: FEAR OF OPEN SPACES FEAR OF SOCIAL EVENTS OR OCCATIONS Agoraphobia comes from the Greek, meaning fear of the marketplace, or places where people assemble. It is also widely known as fear of open space which, as you can imagine, is a bit of a problem if you are in a place called "Big Sky Country." Agoraphobes often remain housebound, as this fear is also closely related to social phobia, which adds elements like farmer markets, fests, festivities and hayrides in open country. This is a tough one to treat in Montana, though our suggestion would be to visit the top of the Beartooth Highway at 2 a.m. on a clear summer night for a startling view of the Milky Way. Though counter-intuitive, unless you suffer from nyc- tophobia (fear of the dark), your night-time adventure will shield you from the vastness of Montana's high country while taking in a far greater expanse of starry heavens, unencumbered by the threat of man-made light, and unaccompanied by the distraction of other hu- man beings (remember, it IS 2 a.m.). Just be sure to get back down before dawn, or you may well find yourself cowering in a crevasse.