A woman's tweet perfectly capturing what social anxiety is really like has gone viral.

In just under 250 characters, Jessie Paege’s tweet on social anxiety dispelled a very common and damaging mental health stigma.

The New Jersey native and YouTuber’s message clearly resonated with the Internet and served as a reminder to not generalise shyness, introversion or occasional social awkwardness with actual social anxiety, which is its own mental health disorder.

Her message read:

social anxiety is not

“omggg I love netflix and I hate everyone”

it’s

– longing to go to social situations that are easy for other people
– wanting to use your voice, but feeling stifled
– feeling trapped in your thoughts

and so much more

— Jessie Paege (@jessiepaege) April 9, 2018

According to Beyond Blue, a social anxiety disorder, or social phobia is when “performing in front of others and social situations can lead to intense anxiety.”

While this can affect those suffering from the disorder during everyday, ordinary situations, it can also only relate to specific situations, or situations that exacerbate the person’s specific fear. For example embarrassing yourself in front of your work colleagues or doing something that might result in you being laughed at by your friends.

Jessie’s tweet has since garnered more than 1200 comments, 73,000 retweets and 243,000 likes, with thousands of sufferers sharing their experiences of the illness as well.

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These were some of the best responses:

Anxiety is struggling to catch your breath while you try to assess every little thing “accordingly.” Anxiety is nail-biting, hair-pulling, continuous chills & so much more while you try to figure out what the hell you’re going to do. There’s no band-aid to make it better.—-

— Morgan Elaine (@EmmySheetz) April 9, 2018

It doesn’t just go away, and when I hear people tell me or another anxiety sufferer to “stop being anxious,” it makes me livid. You almost find yourself apologizing for the things you can’t control, and that’s not okay. It’s OKAY to not be okay.

— Morgan Elaine (@EmmySheetz) April 9, 2018

When I’m alone, having a conversation with myself, working on constructive linguistics, or singing, I can pronounce things just fine and speak fluidly. When anyone and I mean ANYONE else is in the room, I constantly stumble over syllables as if English weren’t my first language.

— ????LiVanSinA????L.V.S. (@VampOfThRose) April 10, 2018

The “OMG I’m so awkward” trend is incredibly boring, and incredibly ableist when it comes to the “omg lol relatable” posts I’m always seeing. No, Susan, cancelling plans and spending a day eating ice cream BECAUSE YOU WANT TO isn’t social anxiety. pic.twitter.com/JP1oBj0Grt

— — Millie ♡ (@yylaeHyttaM) April 9, 2018

EXACTLY!! Crying over phone calls, constant overbearing anxiety about being judged, panic attacks, intrusive thoughts

— — Millie ♡ (@yylaeHyttaM) April 10, 2018

Also – panicking and maybe even fainting when you have to do a presentation or public speaking
– being anxious literally every time you have to go out

— oli✨ (@oli_is_awkward) April 9, 2018

social anxiety is being talkative but having a little voice inside you screaming to shut up because they think you’re weird and are only staying out of pity

— Virginia Alexa ???? 145 (@VirginiaAlexaB) April 10, 2018

I wish more people understood this. Social anxiety is not just hating being around people

— Pricefield Is Life (@Theresa38308323) April 9, 2018

Needing a ride home, being offered a ride home by a class mate, but turning it down because you can’t handle the small talk while in the car

— ????????????michelle???????????? (@mboyette0616201) April 9, 2018

If you think you may be experiencing depression or another mental health problem, please contact your general practitioner or in Australia, contact Lifeline 13 11 14 for support or beyondblue 1300 22 4636.