Social Phobia

Also check Anxiety Disorders

A phobia is a persistent and irrational fear of a specific object, activity or situation that results in avoidance of what is feared.  Even though the person recognizes the fear as extreme and irrational, he/she is unable to overcome it.

Social Phobia is the fear of embarrassment or humiliation in situations in which one has to interact with others... eg: fear of speaking in public, going to a restaurant, going to shopping malls and other social situations, etc.  It is characterized by an excessive fear of scrutiny by other people, or by a persistent fear of humiliation or embarrassment in social or performance situations. This results in either avoiding the feared situation or enduring it with intense distress.

Social Phobia is the third most common psychiatric disorder in the United States. One out of every eight Americans suffer from social anxiety disorder.

The vast majority of people with social anxiety disorder fear more than one type of social situation.  The most common phobias are speaking in public; speaking to strangers or meeting new people; eating, drinking, or writing in public; or using a public restroom.

Social Phobia
Social anxiety disorder usually appears in the mid-teens, sometimes emerging out of a childhood history of shyness, and often becomes a lifelong condition. Studies suggest that social anxiety disorder is more common in women than in men. It also appears to run in families.

Social Phobia may be associated with other psychiatric disorders, such as panic disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder and depression.

Signs and Symptoms:

• Persistent and significant fear of social or performance situations
• Anxiety
• Panic
• Awareness of fear as excessive or unreasonable
• Avoidance of anxiety-provoking situations
• Impairment of normal functioning

Adapted from:
Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.  Vol. IV  American Psychiatric        Association.  1994

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