Social phobia, also
called social anxiety disorder, involves overwhelming anxiety and
excessive self-consciousness in everyday social situations. People with
social phobia have a persistent, intense, and chronic fear of being
watched and judged by others and being embarrassed or humiliated by their
own actions. Their fear may be so severe that it interferes with work or
school, and other ordinary activities. While many people with social
phobia recognize that their fear of being around people may be excessive
or unreasonable, they are unable to overcome it. They often worry for days
or weeks in advance of a dreaded situation.
Social phobia can be
limited to only one type of situation—such as a fear of speaking in formal
or informal situations, or eating, drinking, or writing in front of
others—or, in its most severe form, may be so broad that a person
experiences symptoms almost anytime they are around other people. Social
phobia can be very debilitating—it may even keep people from going to work
or school on some days. Many people with this illness have a hard time
making and keeping friends.
Physical symptoms often accompany the
intense anxiety of social phobia and include blushing, profuse sweating,
trembling, nausea, and difficulty talking. If you suffer from social
phobia, you may be painfully embarrassed by these symptoms and feel as
though all eyes are focused on you. You may be afraid of being with people
other than your family.
People with social phobia are aware that
their feelings are irrational. Even if they manage to confront what they
fear, they usually feel very anxious beforehand and are intensely
uncomfortable throughout. Afterward, the unpleasant feelings may linger,
as they worry about how they may have been judged or what others may have
thought or observed about them.
Social phobia affects about 5.3
million adult Americans. Women and men are equally likely to develop
social phobia. The disorder usually begins in childhood or early
adolescence, and there is some evidence that genetic factors are involved.
Social phobia often co-occurs with other anxiety disorders or depression.
Substance abuse or dependence may develop in individuals who attempt to
"self-medicate" their social phobia by drinking or using drugs. Social
phobia can be treated successfully with carefully targeted psychotherapy
or medications.
See Also:
Treatment of Anxiety
Disorders
Source: U.S. National Institute of Mental
Health |
