Understanding social anxiety
Are you afraid of being judged by others or of being embarrassed all the time? Do you often feel incredibly fearful and unsure around other people? Do these worries make it hard for you to do everyday tasks like running errands or talking to people at work or school? If so, you may have a type of anxiety disorder called social phobia, also known as social anxiety disorder.
Social phobia is an intense fear of being watched or judged by others and being embarrassed. This fear can be so intense that it gets in the way of going to work, school or other everyday activities.
Everyone has felt anxious or embarrassed at one time or another. For example, meeting new people or giving a public speech can make anyone nervous. But people with social phobia worry about these and other things for weeks before they happen.
People with social anxiety disorder fear doing ordinary things in front of others. For example, they might be afraid to sign a check in front of a cashier at the grocery store, or they might be afraid to eat or drink in front of other people or use a public restroom. Most people with social phobia know they shouldn't be as afraid as they are, but they can't control their fear. Sometimes, they stay away from places or events where they think they might have to do something that will embarrass them. For some people, social phobia is a problem only in certain situations, while others have symptoms in almost any social environment.
Social phobia usually starts during youth. A doctor can tell that a person has social phobia if the person has had symptoms for at least six months. Without treatment, social phobia can last for many years or a lifetime.
People with social phobia tend to:
Be very anxious about being with other people and have a hard time talking to them, even though they wish that they could
Be very self-conscious in front of other people and feel embarrassed
Be very afraid that others will judge them
Worry for days or weeks before a social event or stay away from places where there are other people
Have difficulty making friends and keeping friends
Blush, sweat, tremble, feel nauseous or sick to their stomach when around other people
How is social phobia treated? First, talk to your doctor about your symptoms. Your doctor should do an exam to make sure that another physical problem isn't causing your symptoms. The doctor may refer you to a mental health specialist. Social phobia is generally treated with psychotherapy, medication or both.
Source: Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research
