Social Phobia

What is social anxiety disorder (social phobia)?

Social anxiety disorder, also known as social phobia, involves intense fear of certain social situations — especially situations that are unfamiliar or in which you’ll be watched or evaluated by others. These social situations may be so frightening that you get anxious just thinking about them or go to great lengths to avoid them.

Underlying social anxiety disorder is the fear of being scrutinized, judged, or embarrassed in public. You may be afraid that people will think badly of you or that you won’t measure up in comparison to others. And even though you probably realize that your fears of being judged are at least somewhat irrational and overblown, you still can’t help feeling anxious.

Although it may feel like you’re the only one with this problem, social anxiety disorder is actually quite common. Many people struggle with these fears. But the situations that trigger the symptoms of social phobia can be different.

Some people experience anxiety in most social and performance situations, a condition known as generalized social anxiety disorder. For other people with social phobia, anxiety is connected with specific social situations, such as speaking to strangers, eating at restaurants, or going to parties. The most common specific social phobia is fear of public speaking or performing in front of an audience.
Triggers for social anxiety disorder (social phobia)

The following situations are often stressful for people with social anxiety disorder:

* Meeting new people
* Being the center of attention
* Being watched while doing something
* Making small talk
* Public speaking
* Performing on stage
* Being teased or criticized
* Talking with “important” people or authority figures
* Being called on in class
* Going on a date
* Making phone calls
* Using public bathrooms
* Taking exams.
* Eating or drinking in public
* Speaking up in a meeting
* Attending parties or other social gatherings

Signs and symptoms of social anxiety disorder (social phobia)

Just because you occasionally get nervous in social situations doesn’t mean you have social anxiety disorder, or social phobia. Many people are shy or self-conscious — at least from time to time — yet it doesn’t get in the way of their everyday functioning. Social anxiety disorder, on the other hand, does interfere with your normal routine and causes tremendous distress.

For example, it’s perfectly normal to get the jitters before giving a speech. But if you have social anxiety disorder, you might worry for weeks ahead of time, call in sick to get out of it, or start shaking so bad during the speech that you can hardly speak.

Psychological symptoms of social anxiety disorder (social phobia)

* Intense worry for days, weeks, or even months before an upcoming social situation.
* Extreme fear of being watched or judged by others, especially people you don’t know.
* Excessive self-consciousness and anxiety in everyday social situations.
* Fear that you’ll act in ways that that will embarrass or humiliate yourself.
* Fear that others will notice that you’re nervous.
* Avoidance of social situations to a degree that limits your activities or disrupts your life.

Physical symptoms of social anxiety disorder (social phobia)

* Pounding heart or tight chest
* Shaky voice
* Rapid breathing
* Sweating or hot flashes
* Upset stomach, nausea
* Dry mouth
* Trembling or shaking
* Muscle tension
* Blushing
* Dizziness, feeling faint
* Clammy hands
* Twitching

Social anxiety disorder (social phobia) in children

There’s nothing abnormal about a child being shy, but children with social anxiety disorder (social phobia) experience extreme distress over everyday activities and situations such as playing with other kids, reading in class, speaking to adults, taking tests, or performing in front of others. Often, children with social phobia don’t want to go to school.

Source: http://helpguide.org/mental/social_anxiety_support_symptom_causes_treatment.htm