Challenge of existence: social anxiety in Finding Audrey

Mental health problems affect individuals worldwide, and literature functions as a medium for both reflecting and shaping social understandings of these issues. Young adult (YA) novels that address mental health can raise public awareness, enhance mental health literacy, and support earlier diagnosis and more effective treatment. This study examines the representation of social anxiety disorder in Finding Audrey (2015) by Sophie Kinsella, focusing on the protagonist Audrey Turner. It analyses Audrey’s experience through her symptoms and treatment process, classifying symptoms into behavioural and cognitive-emotional categories. Behavioural symptoms include avoidance, limited eye contact, and physical reactions, while cognitive-emotional symptoms involve negative self-talk, shame, low self-esteem, negative self-perception, and diminished trust in others. These symptoms and the depicted therapeutic approaches are evaluated in relation to current psychological and psychiatric research. Overall, the novel presents social anxiety disorder in a realistic and psychologically coherent manner, aligning with findings in psychology and psychiatry.