Category: Marvel

The Avenger who would be most affected by Social Anxiety

The Avengers’ Tony Stark would be a completely different man if he had Social Anxiety Disorder. Shyness and passive behavior would be his new identity.

None of The Avengers have shown signs of social anxiety throughout the MCU, but if this one Avenger had it, it would completely wreak havoc on him. An Avenger with Social Anxiety seems like a very small problem considering all the battles they’ve fought. But, for this one Avenger, Social Anxiety would change his life.

Iron Man’s iron like social confidence

It takes a very specific set of skills to be an Avenger. Whether it’s leadership and shield throwing by Captain America, precision and archery from Hawkeye, or a really mean temper unleashed by The Hulk. Each one of them possesses elite skills for their jobs. Sure, as a team The Avengers combine skills and resources to be formidable opponents against any adversary (except an Infinity Gauntlet Thanos of course). But there’s more to them than just avenging and fighting bad guys all day long. Each one has a unique personality making them a very diverse group of individuals.  

Specifically, regarding being socially active, the only Avenger who far outweighs all others is Tony Stark (Iron Man). Think about Stark’s highly outgoing personality throughout all the MCU movies we’ve seen him in. He consistently engages with highly attractive women, authoritative figures, aliens, strangers, friends, and large crowds. Tony Stark is the epitome of being social, and as such, he would be the most affected Avenger by Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD). 

The Helmet is Social Anxiety’s arch nemesis

**Click here if you are clueless as to what SAD is and why only a helmet, like Iron Man’s head gear, can hide your symptoms.**

So how would Social Anxiety affect Tony Stark?  

Iron Man (Tony Stark) played by Robert Downey Jr. being interviewed by attractive reporter. This is a social anxiety causing event.
Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) interviewed by attractive reporter, Christine Everhart, before taking her back to his Malibu home. Social Anxiety appears in front of attractive people, particularly when it’s an unexpected encounter.
Marvel Studios’ Iron Man, 2008

Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD) causes a person to feel an intense fear of being watched, judged, and embarrassed, in a variety of social situations. These situations lead to the awful Red Face of SAD. Heavy blushing, profuse sweating, rapid heart beat, trembling hands, lightheadedness, and other really uncomfortable symptoms will occur. The fear is so bad that it causes severe anxiety, which can consistently disrupt normal daily life. As we’ve seen throughout his appearances in the MCU, a normal day for Tony Stark includes: 

  • flirting with the attractive news reporters (Iron Man 1, 2008) 
  • partying with the flight attendants on his private plane (Iron Man 1, 2008) 
  • being center stage and in the limelight in front of thousands of people at the Stark Expo (Iron Man 2, 2010)
  • mouthing off on authoritative figures in Congress on national television (Iron Man 2, 2010)  
  • hosting his birthday party at his California mansion (Iron Man 2, 2010) 
  • speaking to a group of reporters outside the hospital while making his announcement message to The Mandarin (Iron Man 3, 2013) 
  • hosting a party with big-time people in attendance at Avengers Tower (Avengers: Age of Ultron, 2015) 
  • attending a cultural event in India (Spiderman: Homecoming, 2017)  
Tony Stark attending an Indian event while speaking to Peter Parker via “wifi”
Spiderman: Homecoming, 2017

If Stark had SAD, he would not be able to do any of those things. Not even one! The symptoms of developing a red, blush face, profuse sweating, thumping fast heart rate, and trembling hands would stop him from even considering being social like that. These symptoms wouldn’t let him flirt, party, or sound off on anyone on Capitol Hill (especially on national tv). In fact, even if Stark planned on doing anyone one of those things, like partying at Avengers Tower for example, he would develop severe anxiety weeks before the party ever occurs. Anticipating a social event can be really devastating for someone with SAD, causing them to back out and not attend at all.  

Social Anxiety Disorder would change Tony Stark’s identity

The effect of SAD doesn’t just stop someone from being social, it takes away a part of their identity. Could you imagine if Tony Stark was shy? Could you really picture him choosing to stay home and watch tv rather than going to a party? What if he wasn’t so quick and witty to defend himself or criticize others, like we’ve seen him do so many times throughout his appearances in the MCU. Look at the first Avengers movie (2012) for example. Stark was quick to defend himself and criticize Steve Rogers, like in the following conversation:

Iron Man (Tony Stark) played by Robert Downey Jr. confronts Captain America (Steve Rogers) played by Chris Evans in The Avengers. This confrontation causes Social Anxiety.
Steve Rogers (Captain America) played by Chris Evans confronts Tony Stark (Iron Man) played by Robert Downey Jr. while the other Avengers are watching on. They trade disparaging words with each other, one trying to top the other.
Marvel Studios The Avengers, 2012

Scene: While in SHIELD’s Helicarrier, Steve Rogers ridiculed Stark in front of the other Avengers by saying the following:

Steve Rogers: “Big man in a suit of armor. Take that off, what are you?”

Starks reply: “Genius. Billionaire. Playboy. Philanthropist.”

If Tony Stark had Social Anxiety Disorder, the conversation would likely have been:

Steve Rogers: “Big man in a suit of armor. Take that off, what are you?”

Tony Stark: “Nothing.” Beads of sweat would form on Tony’s head, heat would rush to his face, and redness will flush his cheeks.

Stark would have replied with a one word conceding answer to avoid conflict in front of the others. He would not have wanted people to watch him defend himself and therefore would have avoided the spot light. Stark would have tried to end the conversation before developing the dreaded red face.

Someone with Social Anxiety Disorder does not want to prolong any conversation, especially one similar to that above. A conversation in which others are watching, is argumentative, or is with unfamiliar people (remember Stark and Rogers only met for the first time earlier in that movie), makes SAD sufferers very uncomfortable. If Tony Stark had SAD, his personality would be completely different because he wouldn’t be able to control the symptoms of the highly uncomfortable red (blush) face, sweating, trembling, and fast heart rate. SAD would change the socially active Tony Stark to an unrecognizable, passive and quiet character. 

What if Spiderman had Social Anxiety

If Spiderman had Social Anxiety Disorder, that daring rescue at the Washington Monument would never have happened.

Does wall-crawling and web slinging prevent social anxiety? I doubt it. Being so young, Spiderman can definitely get Social Anxiety.

Spidey Sense, aka, The Peter Tingle

Known to be a “friendly neighborhood” superhero, Spiderman has surely been around the block. He has fought Team Captain America in Germany, fought Mysterio and the Elementals in Europe, and has even been to space and fought Thanos on the planet Titan. As cool as all that sounds, we must remember that Peter Parker is only a high school teenager. His Aunt May even renamed his Spider Sense to Peter Tingle (talk about downgrading). Either way, this kid has the whole world in front of him.  

Considering Parker is so young, you may be wondering if he could develop social anxiety disorder (SAD) at his age. The answer is yes! SAD typically begins in adolescence as early as age 13 and can affect a person throughout his/her life. Below we examine two scenes from two different Spiderman movies from the MCU, and how SAD could potentially affect him and his actions. 

Masks are the best weapon against Social Anxiety Disorder

**Having a mask like Spiderman can hide signs and symptoms of SAD. Click here to find out what those signs are.**

1. The Social Anxiety Scene from Spiderman: Homecoming

Peter Parker (Tom Holland) and Ned at a party. This is a social anxiety event.
Peter and Ned at Liz’s house party. Being at a party can cause huge social anxiety symptoms.
Spiderman: Homecoming, 2017

Spiderman: Homecoming (2017) 

Scene: Liz’s house party, Washington Monument 

Anxiety Provoking Event: Large Social Gathering (Liz’s party) 

If Spiderman had Social Anxiety Disorder, he would never have had to save his classmates from the falling elevator inside the Washington Monument. That scene would never have happened. 

Background

While doing sit-ups with his friend Ned during gym class, Peter Parker gets invited to a house party hosted by his crush, Liz. He decides to go with the intention of impressing Liz by showing her that he is a friend of Spiderman. He was going to make an appearance as Spiderman, suggest that Peter is his friend, and then leave.  

key event

While suiting up on the roof of Liz’s home, Spiderman sees a blue explosion from a distance. He investigates and ends up fighting and chasing weapons dealers before being air lifted by the main antagonist, Vulture, and dropped in a lake. After being rescued from drowning by Iron Man, Spiderman is seen walking back to the party and finds a purple glowing Chitari energy core on the ground (it fell out of the van belonging to the weapons dealers he was chasing).

The weapons dealers tracked the core the next day back to Parker’s school, where it was being studied by Parker and Ned. Parker covertly shoots a tracker onto one of them and tracks them to Washington D.C. Coincidentally, Parker’s Academic Decathlon team was going to D.C. for a competition and Parker and Ned joined them. Ned held onto the purple energy core the whole time, thinking it was safe.  

Spiderman making a daring rescue on the Washington Monument in Washington D.C. Spiderman: Homecoming, 2017

Shortly after winning the Decathalon, Parker’s classmates went to the Washington Monument, where the Chitari energy core exploded causing major damage to the elevator. Spiderman made an incredibly daring rescue and saved everyone from certain death. 

How Sad would have changed spiderman’s behavior

If Spiderman had Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD), he would have never gone to Liz’s party. Parties are an extremely social event that would cause heavy feelings of anxiety from the fear of others judging you and the fear of being embarrassed. Parker would have a very difficult time speaking to Liz not only because he has a major crush on her, but also because others would see him speaking to her. That feeling of being watched and judged would overtake him as his face would turn bright red in blush, he would sweat profusely, and develop noticeably trembling hands. To make matters worse, when others notice him sweating and blushing so heavily, they would point out those symptoms creating more attention and worsening the anxiety. So instead of going through all this, Parker would simply spare this embarrassment and would just avoid going to the party. 

No rescue scene at the washington monument

If Parker doesn’t go to the party, he would never have fought/chased the weapons dealers and thus wouldn’t have found the explosive Chitari energy core. Ned wouldn’t be holding it in his backpack and there wouldn’t be any explosion at the Washington Monument. Spiderman’s amazing rescue of his classmates in D.C. would never have happened. That’s one less scene we would have enjoyed during the movie. 

2. The Social Anxiety scenes from Spiderman: Far From Home

Spiderman (Tom Holland) asking MJ out (Zendaya). This can cause social anxiety,
Peter and MJ outside of MJ’s hotel door. He is asking her if she would like to go out for a walk. She agrees and they go.
Spiderman: Far From Home, 2019

Spiderman: Far From Home (2019) 

Scenes: Peter knocks on MJ’s door at the hotel, Peter speaking to MJ outside hotel 

Anxiety Provoking Event: Asking his crush to go out for an evening walk with him 

If Peter had Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD), he would never have found out that Mysterio was the bad guy and thus Mysterio would have never revealed Spiderman’s identity to the world. 

background

While on their class trip in Europe, Peter had a plan to reveal his true to feelings to MJ. But due to the hijacking of his trip by Nick Fury, Mysterio, and the Elementals, Peter’s plan changed. So after essentially ditching MJ at the opera house in Prague to fight the Elementals, Parker returns to the hotel for the evening, knocks on MJ’s door, and asks her to take a walk with him. MJ agrees and they leave the hotel together. 

Spiderman (Tom Holland) and MJ (Zendaya) go for a walk together. This is a social anxiety type of event.
Peter and MJ take an evening walk outside their hotel shortly before discovering the illusion tech Mysterio created
Spiderman: Far From Home, 2019

key event

Not far from the hotel, Peter and MJ discover that the piece of metal she found from the fight Spiderman had against the Elemental earlier in the night is an advanced piece of illusion tech. This forces Peter to confirm MJ’s suspicions and reveal his identity as Spiderman. Mysterio (the bad guy in the movie) learns that Peter, MJ, and eventually Ned found out about his evil plan of destruction, thus causing him to target the three of them, and by extension their entire class, for termination. To prevent his secret from being revealed, Mysterio tried and almost succeeded in killing Peter and his entire class. 

How Sad would have changed spiderman’s behavior in Europe

If Spiderman had Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD), he would never have knocked on MJ’s hotel door and asked her out. It is incredibly difficult for someone with SAD to start a conversation with their crush, let alone ask them out. It’s not just simply being nervous like many people might be thinking. With SAD, everything is amplified. So, the typical feeling of nervousness before asking your crush out is disproportionately greater in a person with SAD than a person without SAD. This causes a whole lot of thinking and overthinking. Every scenario would have played and replayed in Peter’s head, including: 

  • If she says no, what will I do?
  • What if she tells people that I asked her to go for a walk with me? What would everyone think of me?
  • Did she hesitate before saying yes  
  • Did she say yes because she didn’t want me to feel bad, or did she say yes because she actually wanted to go out and explore the city but just needed someone to go with her for safety reasons.  
  • Does she really like me?  
  • What if we are seen by other people from our class? What will they think of me? How would I explain that? 
  • What if I blush and she notices it? That would be so awkward

As you can see, someone with SAD overthinks every possible scenario because they are completely terrified of being embarrassed. Asking his crush to go out with him would run the risk of rejection, which is incredibly humiliating. So, to avoid this intense fear of embarrassment and humiliation, Peter would not have asked MJ out at all. Instead he would have waited and hoped that she would ask him out instead.  

Spiderman’s identity kept a secret

If Peter doesn’t ask out MJ, they may never have learned about the illusion tech Mysterio was using, and Peter and his classmates would never have been targeted for termination. In fact, Mysterio would have left Peter alone and there wouldn’t have been any fight between them. This means that Mysterio would never have revealed the true identify of Spiderman to the world. Consequently, the events of Spiderman: No Way Home would not have transpired. 

What if Captain America had Social Anxiety?

If Captain America had Social Anxiety Disorder, his iconic disc-shaped shield may not have ever existed. 

The Greatest Soldier in History

It’s hard to imagine it, but what if Captain America actually had Social Anxiety Disorder?

Captain America is one of the most popular superheroes in the world. As the face of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), Steve Rogers has become a global icon. Known for his righteous character, patriotic attire, and indestructible circular shield, his unique story is captivating. He was born in 1918, grew up as a slim and puny kid, and became the world’s first superhero after being inoculated with a super soldier serum. He was then frozen for nearly 70 years when he succeeded in saving the world back in 1945. Cap’s story sure is an interesting one as we’ve seen on the big screen for the past 10 years.  

If Captain America had social anxiety disorder (SAD), would that have affected him at all? Would SAD have altered the course of events that went on in his life? Below we will examine three scenes of Captain America taken from movies in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.  

Know About SAD

**A vibranium shield would be great for protecting yourself during battle, but not from hiding signs/symptoms of SAD. Click here to see what those are.**

1. Social Anxiety scene from Captain America: The First Avenger

Captain America double date. This provokes social anxiety
Steve Rogers on a double date with best friend Bucky Barnes at Stark Expo. His attention is clearly not on the date and his date seems to be even less interested in him.
Marvel Studios’ Captain America: The First Avenger, 2011

Captain America: The First Avenger (2011) 

Scene: Steve Rogers and Bucky Barnes at the Stark Expo, “Don’t do anything stupid until I get back” conversation

Anxiety Provoking Event: Steve Rogers going on a double date at a large social event 

If Steve Rogers had Social Anxiety Disorder, he would never have received the super soldier serum, therefore would never have been Captain America.  

background

While on a double (blind) date with his best friend Bucky at the Stark Expo, Steve Rogers was overheard discussing his immense desire to serve in the army and help his fellow Americans in the war against the Nazi’s. He mentioned to Bucky that “there are men laying down their lives” and he has “no right to do any less than them.” Dr. Erskine overheard this discussion and kept his eye on Steve.  

Steve Rogers talking to Bucky, while Dr. Erskine overhears the conversation in the background.
Marvel Studios’ Captain America: The First Avenger, 2011

After the now infamous conclusion to their conversation: 

Bucky: “Don’t do anything stupid until I get back” 

Steve: “How can I? You’re taking all the stupid with you.” 

While at the army enlistment medical office, Steve was about to undergo the standard physical examination when suddenly the physician left, and Dr. Erskine entered the room. Steve and Dr. Erskine briefly spoke about Steve’s intentions if enlisted, and afterwards Erskine was quick to approve him for army service. This led to Steve’s inoculation of Dr. Erskine’s super soldier serum, which converted Steve Rogers into Captain America. 

Steve Rogers meets Dr. Erskine at the military recruitment clinic.
Marvel Studios’ Captain America: The First Avenger, 2011

Social Anxiety would alter Steve Rogers’ behavior

If Steve Rogers had Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD), he never would have gone on a double date with Bucky to the Stark Expo, particularly a blind date. SAD would have created an abnormally high level of anxiety from the immense fear of meeting a girl and going on a blind date. The fear of being embarrassed and humiliated would create physical symptoms, particularly profuse sweating, heavy facial blushing, rapid heart rate, and trembling hands. He may even feel nauseous and lightheaded.  

effect of being on a date with sad

Steve would then worry about how she would think of him. Her judgement of him would occupy his mind throughout the duration of their date. And if he experienced the physical symptoms of Red Face (heavy blushing and sweating), then the fear of her and others noticing would be devastating to him. People who notice others’ blushing and sweating typically call attention to it. This would severely worsen the symptoms as redness and moisture will significantly increase causing a very high degree of humiliation to the SAD sufferer. This would be considered a traumatic event. 

Steve Rogers would not have been selected to be captain America

So, to avoid this potentially traumatic event from occurring, Steve would not have even gone on that double date. This means that Dr. Erskine wouldn’t have heard his conversation with Bucky at the Expo, and therefore would never have chosen Steve to be inoculated and become Captain America. Eventually, there may have been someone else chosen, but that person’s name would not be Steve Rogers. 

2. Other Social Anxiety Scene from Captain America: The First Avenger

Captain America speaking up at movies theater and drawing attention to himself. This is social anxiety triggering
Steve Rogers telling the loud movie-goer to keep quiet shortly before being taken outside and beaten up. Social Anxiety would prevent Rogers from speaking up in a packed theatre and drawing attention to himself.
Marvel Studios’ Captain America: The First Avenger, 2011

Captain America: The First Avenger (2011) 

Scene: The movie theater scene, the alley fight scene 

Anxiety Provoking Event: Arguing/shouting inside a movie theater 

If Captain America had Social Anxiety Disorder, the iconic disc-shaped shield of Captain America may not have ever existed. 

background

At the beginning of Captain America: The First Avenger, we see Steve Rogers in the movie theater watching Uncle Sam advertisements to join the army and fight in the war. In the background, we hear an obnoxious man continuously shouting to start the movie, even going as far as to say “who cares! Start the cartoon!”. This utter disrespect wasn’t to be taken lightly be Rogers as he told the man,  
“Hey, you want to shut up?!”  

Steve Rogers picks up trash can lid and uses it as a shield while getting beat up outside of the movie theater.
Marvel Studios’ Captain America: The First Avenger, 2011

Cutting to the very next scene, Rogers is in the alley way outside the movie theater getting the sh*t beat out of him. After having his face used as a punching bag, Steve picks up a silver disc-shaped trash can lid and briefly uses it as a shield. The man rips it out of his hands and barks, “you just don’t know when to give up, do you?” Rogers then replies with, the now infamous line which we’ve heard again in Avengers End Game, “I can do this all day.”  

At this moment, we learn two things:  

  1. Steve Rogers prefers a shield, specifically a disc-shaped one  
  1. He has heart like Rocky Balboa, as he just keeps getting back up for more.  

Although short-lived, the trash can lid which Rogers picked up and used as a shield is symbolic of the famous Captain America shield which he wields throughout his time in the MCU. He chose the design of the shield midway through the movie when he handed the spec sheet over to Howard Stark.  

SAD would again change Steve Rogers’ behavior

If Steve Rogers had Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD), would he have ever picked up that trash can lid? No, he wouldn’t have! In fact, the fight scene in the alley way would have never happened. Someone with Social Anxiety Disorder would never have shouted back in a movie theater, even if he were justified. The intense fear of drawing attention to yourself and being judged by others is too overwhelming. That means Rogers would not have had the knuckle sandwich served by the man and the idea of using a circular, disc-shaped shield would never have been foreshadowed. Rogers’ shield would likely have remained the large, clunky, traditional shape (found in the Seal of the United States), instead of the disc-shaped one he tried out in the alley way. Yea, good luck throwing that around. 

3. Social Anxiety Scene in Avengers: Age of Ultron

Captain America (Steve Rogers) attending a party in Avengers Age of Ultron. This is a social anxiety trigger.
Party at Avengers Tower in New York City. Avengers are celebrating after finally recovering Loki’s scepter (Mind Stone)
Marvel Studios’ Avengers: Age of Ultron, 2015

Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015)

Scenes: The party at Avengers Tower scene where the Avengers took turns trying to lift Mjolnir, Thor’s hammer 

Anxiety Provoking Event: Attending a large social gathering with prominent figures in attendance  

If Captain America had Social Anxiety Disorder, he may not have learned that he is worthy of wielding Mjolnir, and thus would not have used it against Thanos in Avengers: End Game. 

background

After capturing Loki’s scepter early in the movie, Tony Stark held a party at Avengers tower in New York City. There were a lot of people there enjoying drinks, telling stories, and interacting with each other. At the end of the night, the only people remaining at the party were the Avengers and Dr. Helen Cho (world-renowned geneticist).

In a playful game to determine who is worthy of lifting Thor’s hammer (Mjolnir), each Avenger attempted and failed at lifting the mystical weapon. But something very interesting happened when Captain America tried to lift it: the hammer actually moved ever-so-slightly. At this point, Captain America knew that he is worthy of possessing the hammer, but no one else realized that. In a complete act of selflessness, he spared the proud and fragile ego of Thor and kept his worthiness quiet.  

Captain America (Steve Rogers) lifting Thor's Hammer in front of the Avengers. This is a social anxiety trigger
Steve Rogers attempts to lift Mjolnir (Thor’s hammer) while at the Avengers Tower party. Unlike all the other Avengers, Cap is actually able to barely and slightly move the hammer.
Marvel Studios’ Avengers: Age of Ultron, 2015

the fight against thanos

Fast forward a few years to Avengers: End Game, we see Captain America wield Mjolnir to save Thor’s life in the fight against Thanos. In fact, not only did he lift and wield Mjolnir, but he also possessed the power of thunder and lightning (Thor’s power). Cap kept his worthiness of lifting the hammer a secret and only unveiled it during the fight of his life (and Thor’s life). He used the hammer and lightning strikes in a desperate attempt to defeat Thanos, and although Thanos was still able to overcome Cap’s new power, it did hold him off long enough for the portals to open and bring Black Panther, Falcon, Spiderman, and all other heroes of the MCU to join the fight. This led to the defeat of the mad Titan and his army. 

captain america would never have known that he could lift Thor’s hammer

If Captain America had SAD, he wouldn’t have known that he was worthy of wielding Mjolnir and possessing Thor’s power. He never even would have made it to the party at Avengers Tower. People who have SAD tend to avoid large gatherings, like a party, especially if there are celebrity type figures there. And if they suck it up and go, they must endure the uncomfortable feeling of anxiety of being embarrassed the whole time. This causes them to isolate themselves frequently and leave the party early without notice.

With SAD, Captain America likely wouldn’t have attended the party. If he did, he would not have stayed long enough to play the “lift Mjolnir” game with the other Avengers. Unaware of his worthiness to wield Mjolnir, Cap would not have been able to save Thor or build any momentum against Thanos in Avengers: End Game. This could have altered the fight against the mad Titan in, possibly even leading to a different outcome.