Analysis Of Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD)

Social anxiety is “a fear of humiliation or of being judged by others, and an avoidance of social situations where attention centers on the individual” (Martis). According to the Social Anxiety Institute, social anxiety has become the third largest psychological disorder, following depression and alcoholism (Richards). Commonly, victims of this social phobia have problems pursuing social environments, interactions, and relationships (“Social Anxiety Disorder”). The failure to fulfill daily requirements in jobs, social settings, and relationships often leaves them feeling “powerless, alone, or even ashamed” (“Social Anxiety Disorder”). Today in America,“15 million [people] suffer[from] the disorder” (“Social Anxiety Disorder”). Of the 15 million American adults affected, women and men are equally prone to develop the phobia (“Social Phobia (Social Anxiety Disorder)”). Currently, the prevalence rate for acquiring social anxiety disorder is “13-14% of all Americans” and continues to rise (Richards). As the number of people affected by social anxiety continues to rise, the understanding of social anxiety’s causes, effects, and treatments is crucial.

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5, American Psychiatric Association [APA], 2013), describes social anxiety disorder (SAD) is a disorder that is expressed by a constant fear of receiving negative evaluation by others within a social situation. A social situation is one that can be defined as a scenario where the individual believes there is an audience present (Heimberg, Brozovich, & Rapee, 2014) and is often the beginning of the disorder. Many years of research have been undergone to establish models that describe the etiology of SAD, however, the Cognitive Behavioural Model is the most well known and most referred to. As this model is extensive, this essay will not have the capacity to encompass all aspect of

Social anxiety disorder also known as social phobia is an anxiety disorder. It is one of the most common psychiatric disorders, with 12% of American adults have experienced in their lifetime. This specific anxiety has intense nervousness and self- consciousness arises from a being closely observed, judged, or criticized by others. A person with social anxiety disorder fear of making mistakes or looking bad because that would make them feel embarrassed or humiliated in front of others. People with social anxiety disorder may be afraid of specific situation such as speaking in public, eating or drinking in front of others, writing or working in front of others, being center of attention, interacting with people, asking questions, and using public

Social anxiety disorder (SAD) or social phobia as classified from the DSM-IV-TR is a disorder that causes a fear response when confronted in social situations. This response is activating increased amygdala and stimulation during symptom provocation. “Findings showed increased activation in temporal lobe and limbic regions, including amygdala and insula, and decreased activation in prefrontal areas in SAD patients as compared to healthy controls (HC).” (Boehme et al. 2013)

Phil Topham and Gram Russell once asked whether social anxiety disorder constitutes a hidden disability. In an article [Social Anxiety in Higher Education], they have said “although anxiety is accepted as part of the learning process, there is little thought given to the impact of social anxiety.” It is understandable to that many people have many different kinds of fears, but with those with social anxiety disorder (or social phobia), that fear is intensified (Harvard Mental Health Letter, 1994). Numerous of people still do not fully understand when someone has social anxiety disorder, but then again it is not easy to identify it or many mistaken them being shy rather than someone with an actually disorder (Topham & Russell, 2008; Anderson,

The idea of “social fear” goes back as early as 400 B.C. where Hippocrates described the overly shy person as someone who “thinks every man observes him.” Even Charles Darwin wrote about the physiology concerning blushing and shyness. The psychiatric term “social phobia” wasn’t used until the early 1900s. In 1994, the fourth edition of Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV) was published and the term social anxiety disorder (SAD) replaced “social phobia.”

Social anxiety disorder “social phobia”, is a widely known topic that some still need answers to on how it works and why. As we know social anxiety can be seen as a health issue/ illness. People with this disorder have found ways to deal with it, such as the topics discussed throughout the paper the stages, symptoms and treatments. Therefore we may not have a complete clarification on how this disorder work, but we can continue to help those who suffer with it improve and overcome these fears of social situations and

Social Phobia, also called social anxiety disorder (SAD), is one of the most common, but misconstrued mental health problems in society. According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA), over 15 million adults suffer from the disorder. First appearing in the DSM-III as Social Phobia, and later in the DSM-IV as Social Anxiety Disorder, this newly established disorder denotes afflicting stress and anxiety associated with social situations (Zakri 677). According to James W. Jefferson, two forms of Social phobia exist: specific and generalized. Specific social phobia indicates anxiety limited to few performance situations, while generalized indicates anxiety in all social situations (Jefferson). Many people often interchangeably link this disorder to shyness––a personality trait. However, although they have striking similarities, the two are divergent. To begin with, SAD has an extensive etiology ranging from multiple factors. Furthermore, symptoms of various aspects accompany SAD. Moreover, SAD has detrimental impacts affecting quality of life. Lastly, SAD has numerous methods of treatment. Social Phobia is prevalent in both women and men beginning at the onset of puberty (ADAA).

Children that suffer from social anxiety disorders are often over-supported by their mothers, and what the mother sees as helpful can actually be harmful. Experiments have shown that mothers of children with the SAD are more involved in the child’s life than mothers with children that do not suffer from the disorder. SAD, social anxiety disorder, is usually discovered in late childhood to early adolescence. If left untreated it can carry into the child’s adult life and affects about seven percent of kids. SAD is a disorder that involves a fear of being embarrassed in social interactions. It can also impact the child’s life in regards to relationships they develop, their academics, and their well-being in everyday life. The studies involving

The disorder involves irrational and persistent fear of being scrutinized or judged by others in social or performance situations (Bruce & Saeed, 1999, p. 2311). Symptoms can become so extreme it can wreak havoc and disrupt the daily lives of those who suffer from it. Social Anxiety Disorder significantly interferes with daily routines, social life, and occupational performances. Individuals who suffer from social phobias are afraid of specific situations that provoke anxiety from distorted thinking and false beliefs about social interactions with other people (Brooks & Schmidt, 2008, p. 123). Social Anxiety Disorder embodies two subtypes of the disorder.

The diagnosis of social phobia requires the symptoms to be “consistent and persistent”, as well as causing significant distress which damage social, occupational, or other important areas of life functioning (Irena, 2015, p.). Unlike shyness, where most people occasionally experience in their lives, social phobia is much more disruptive and pathological (Jefferson, 2001). For people with social phobia, they could even feel the pain before an event that they know would involve evaluation actually happen (NIMH, 2013; Irena, 2015, p.).

Among all anxiety problems, social anxiety disorder is most common anxiety issue and third most common problem in all mental complications (American Psychiatric Association, 2000; Hofmann & Bogels, 2006). SAD is a mental disorder which has a tendency to become chronic and badly disturbs normal functions of life if not diagnosed and treated in time (Beesdo-Baum, et al., 2012; Garcia-Lopez, Piqueras, Diaz-Castela, & Ingles, 2008). It is also among the most prevailing mental disorders and is described in Criterion A of DSM-V as “Marked fear or anxiety about one or more social situations in which the individual is exposed to possible scrutiny by others. Examples include social interactions (e.g., having a conversation, meeting unfamiliar people), being observed (e.g., eating or drinking), and performing in front of others (e.g., giving a speech)” (American Psychiatric Association, 2013). A specific amount of anxiety is always anticipated socially and helps an individual managing future threats (American Psychiatric Association, 2000). But having social anxiety means that anxiety is too much for normal functioning during social situations and often interferes with

Social Anxiety Disorder or social phobia, is the third largest mental health care problem in the world. (Stein, 2010) National statistical surveys carried out in 2002 in the United Kingdom suggest that the prevalence rates for social phobias among young people in the UK were around 4%. (National Statistics, 2002)

Social anxiety disorder also known as social phobia has been one of the many disorders that have affected many people throughout society. Social anxiety disorder is the third largest psychological problem most people suffer with today. Throughout the years, researchers have shown how social anxiety disorder has affected over 7-8% of the population over time. Individuals who suffer from social anxiety have an intense fear of being involved in a social interaction among people. The individual can either experience fear or anxiety of being judged by other individuals. This leads people with this disorder to automatically feel self-conscious, judged or depressed. The person will then start to worry that all eyes are on him or her all the times. For example, if you have a person who is anxious in a social interaction and appear fine when they are alone, then one can conclude that “social anxiety” is the problem.

Social anxiety disorder (social phobia) can be described as an extreme, persistent fear of being scrutinized or judged by others in social situations. This fear may lead to feelings of embarrassment, humiliation and self-consciousness. People who suffer from this condition may “feel powerless against their anxiety” (ADAA). These emotions often interfere with daily activities, such as school, work and personal relationships. The person might begin to withdraw socially or avoid situations in which he or she is afraid. Millions of Americans endure this devastating condition every day of their lives. There are several causes, symptoms and treatments.