Tag: Chris Evans Social Anxiety

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: 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.  

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. 

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: 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?!”  

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  

2. 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

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.  

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.