Social Anxiety Disorder/Social Phobia

What is Social Phobia/Social Anxiety Disorder?

Social phobia, also called social anxiety disorder, is characterized by excessive anxiety and fear in social and performance situations. Individuals with social phobia have a persistent, intense, fear of being judged negatively by others. They also fear doing something or acting in a way that will lead to being embarrassed or humiliated. This anxiety and fear causes interference with work/school, social and family life. 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 an upcoming dreaded social or performance situation.

Social phobia can be limited to only a few types of situations - such as a fear of public speaking in formal or informal situations, or eating or drinking in front of others - or, may be more broad that a person experiences anxiety symptoms in almost all situations around other people. Social phobia can be very debilitating - it may prevent individuals from going to work or school or having friends or romantic relationships. Social phobia is often accompanied by other emotional problems such as depression or alcohol and substance abuse or dependence.

Social phobia is more than simple shyness

Many people get nervous or self-conscious on occasion, like when giving a speech or interviewing for a new job. But social anxiety disorder is more than just shyness or occasional nerves. If you have social anxiety disorder, your fear of embarrassing yourself is intense — so intense, in fact, that you may go to great lengths to avoid situations that would trigger it. Someone with social anxiety disorder may avoid the following situations:

	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

According to professionals on social phobia 20-30% of North American adults say they are shy, whereas 5-10% have excessive and pathological concerns about scrutiny by others that may interfere seriously with work or school, daily life, and interpersonal relationships¹.

Psychological symptoms of social phobia (social anxiety disorder)

	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 phobia (social anxiety disorder)

	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

How Common Is Social Phobia?

	Approximately 12.1% of Americans have social phobia in any given year
	Social phobia occurs in women almost twice as often as in men, although an equal number of men and women seek treatment for this disorder.
	The disorder typically begins in childhood or early adolescence and rarely develops after age 25.

What Causes Social Phobia?

	Although the cause of Social Phobia is unknown research has implicated overactivity of several brain centres involved in anxiety.
	Social Phobia has been found to run in families.

What Treatments Are Available for Social Phobia?

There are two effective forms of treatment available for social phobia:

	Medications (antidepressants, anticonvulsants and Benzodiazepines)
	A specific form of short-term psychotherapy called cognitive-behavioural therapy.