Social Phobia (Social Anxiety Disorder)

Source: National Institute of Mental Health; NIH Publication No. 06-3879

"In any social situation, I felt fear. I would be anxious before I even left the house, and it would escalate as I got closer to a college class, a party, or whatever. I would feel sick in my stomach-it almost felt like I had the flu. My heart would pound, my palms would get sweaty, and I would get this feeling of being removed from myself and from everybody else."

"When I would walk into a room full of people, I'd turn red and it would feel like everybody's eyes were on me. I was embarrassed to stand off in a corner by myself, but I couldn't think of anything to say to anybody. It was humiliating. I felt so clumsy, I couldn't wait to get out."

Social phobia, also called social anxiety disorder, is diagnosed when people become overwhelmingly anxious and excessively self-conscious in everyday social situations.

People with social phobia have an intense, persistent, and chronic fear of being watched and judged by others and of doing things that will embarrass them. They can worry for days or weeks before a dreaded situation.

This fear may become so severe that it interferes with work, school, and other ordinary activities, and can make it hard to make and keep friends.

While many people with social phobia realize that their fears about being with people are excessive or unreasonable, they are unable to overcome them.

Even if they manage to confront their fears and be around others, they are usually very anxious beforehand, are intensely uncomfortable throughout the encounter, and worry about how they were judged for hours afterward.

Social phobia can be limited to one situation (such as talking to people, eating or drinking, or writing on a blackboard in front of others) or may be so broad (such as in generalized social phobia) that the person experiences anxiety around almost anyone other than the family.
Physical symptoms that often accompany social phobia include blushing, profuse sweating, trembling, nausea, and difficulty talking. When these symptoms occur, people with social phobia feel as though all eyes are focused on them.

Social phobia affects about 15 million American adults.

Women and men are equally likely to develop the disorder, which usually begins in childhood or early adolescence. There is some evidence that genetic factors are involved.

Social phobia is often accompanied by other anxiety disorders or depression,and substance abuse may develop if people try to self-medicate their anxiety.

Social phobia can be successfully treated with certain kinds of psychotherapy or medications.

Source: National Institute of Mental Health; NIH Publication No. 06-3879
Added: 2nd July 2007

Looking for help with Social Anxiety (Social Phobia)?

It's important to remember, that if you suffer from social anxiety (social phobia), then help is available.

Social anxiety (social phobia) (the fear of being judged) responds really well to therapies such as 'Pure' Hypnoanalysis.

Pure Hypnoanalysis is a relatively quick form of therapy, that helps people with social anxiety (social phobia) to overcome their (for example) fear of 'being out of being judged.

It is a form of therapy that is quite unique, in that it aims to resolve the root cause of the problem, rather than (as most therapies do), temporarily manage the symptoms.

If you are in the UK, and would like to look into Pure Hypnoanalysis as a possible therapy, there are therapists trained in this unique therapy all over the UK.

One of the easiest ways to find a therapist in your area who is trained in this therapy, is to use the free find-a-therapist service, by Avon Hypnotherapy.

The find-a-therapist service is very easy to use, simply tell them some basic details, including your name and location, and they will do their best to help you locate a trained therapist in your area.

Click here to visit Avon Hypnotherapy's FREE Find-a-Therapist service.

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