There's a big catch here. When social anxiety is severe, you are often (not always) unable to provide for yourself. You are financially dependent on others/gov. The alternative might be homelessness, and especially for women, this means being at the mercy of people who, generally, have no mercy.Because you're financially dependent/poor, you don't have the right to truthfully speak your mind. When it comes to things like asking for what you want, well, the answer is no. One in this position is NOT treated with the dignity and respect that adults tend to expect. If you're poor, our culture does NOT view (or treat) you as a normal, equal individual. If you're a survivor, you just learn to cope with it, but it does take a toll on stuff like self-esteem.