Anxiety Disorders: Social Phobia

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 DSM-5 (The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders) defines social anxiety as, “A persistent fear of one or more social or performance situations in which the person is exposed to unfamiliar people or to possible scrutiny by

Many changes happen in the body when a person becomes anxious. One of the first changes is that the individual experiences an increased breathing rate. Breathing rapidly throws off the balance of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the body thereby, triggering additional physical anxiety symptoms such as dizziness, a feeling of suffocation, increased heart rate, and muscle tension. Learning to slow down breathing can help bring physical symptoms of anxiety back under control. In addition to

Social anxiety disorder, which is also called social phobia involves overwhelming worry and self-consciousness about everyday social situations. The worry often centers on a fear of being judged by others, or behaving in a way that might cause embarrassment or lead to ridicule. The fear may be made worse by a lack of social skills or experience in social situations. The anxiety can build into a panic attack. As a result of the fear, the person endures certain social situations in extreme distress or may avoid them altogether. In addition, people with social anxiety disorder often suffer anticipatory anxiety, the fear of a situation before it even happens, for days or weeks before the event. In many cases, the person is aware that the fear is unreasonable, yet is unable to overcome it. (Goldberg)

Social anxiety disorder it’s an intense worry or fear of social situations that involve interactions with others. It is categorized as a Phobia a persistent and irrational fear of a specific object, situation, or activity. This leads to feelings of inadequacy, self-consciousness, and depression. The person suffering of social anxiety disorder may believe that all eyes are on them at all times, fear of being judge by others, and have a strong fear of embarrassing themselves. Social anxiety is the third largest mental health case issue in the world, and it can affect 10% of the population at any given time. Social Anxiety disorder usually begins in childhood or adolescence. Is more prevalent among women than men.

Social anxiety disorder (SAD), also known as social phobia, is characterized by extreme fear in everyday social situations. People with social anxiety disorder live in constant fear of being watched and judged by others, so much that it interferes with school, work, athletics, and other aspects in their lives. Most people with SAD know that their fear is irrational, but still cannot overcome it; this causes most to simply avoid social situations so they don’t have to deal with potential embarrassment.

Throughout my life I have dealt with many stressors that have affected me in different ways. The one major stressor, I feel that I have a hard time dealing with is anxiety, more specifically social anxiety. Growing up I have always been different than everyone else. I was born with Duane syndrome type 3. Duane syndrome is a disorder which the eye has limited mobility and type 3 means that there is limited or no ability to move the eye inward or outward. When I first found out about this I was about eight, due to the fact that I had to get surgery to fix my head turning. Having Duane syndrome has caused to become extremely self-conscious of myself.

About 15 million adults in America have been diagnosed with Social Anxiety Disorders ("Social Anxiety Disorder"). Social anxiety has been defined as a remarkable amount of fear, embarrassment, or humiliation a person feels when presented with social situations. Commonly, the person will purposely avoid the situation or face it with excessive amounts of agony ("Shyness... Or Social Anxiety Disorder?"). Studies have shown that social anxiety is linked with panic attacks. Not only will a person suffering from Social Anxiety Disorder feel anxious during social functions, but the bare thought will also cause anxiety. In addition, a person who suffers from social anxiety will struggle with negative thoughts, shame, and depression as a result of any perceived mistake ("What is the Difference Between Shyness and Social Anxiety?"). Fortunately, anti-anxiety medication can be prescribed through a physician (Doctor, Kahn, Adamec xvii).

     Social anxiety is the fear of social situations and the interaction with other people that can automatically bring on feelings of self-consciousness, judgement, evaluation, and inferiority. Put differently social anxiety is the fear and anxiety of being judged and evaluated negatively by other people, leading to feelings of inadequacy, embarrassment, humiliation, and depression. If a person usually becomes anxious in social situations, but seems fine when they are by them selves, then social anxiety may be the problem.

Although, all anxiety disorders essentially overlap each other still they can be differentiated by examining closely the symptoms of anxiety, and situations which are feared, including the exploration of cognition.

The Social anxiety Association classifies social anxiety as the fear of interacting with other and social situations. Social anxiety causes fear and anxiety in most if not all aspects of ones lives. Social anxiety is the fear of being negatively judge or evaluated by others. It is a chronic disease that it does not go away on its own, only direct cognitive-behavioral therapy can help people overcome their social anxiety. There are a few situations that can trigger social anxiety such as being introduced to

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.

Social anxiety is a disorder in which individuals assume that they will be negatively evaluated. This results in an extreme fear of social situations or performance-based situations (Iverach, Rapee, Wong, & Lowe, 2017, p. 542) for a period of time lasting longer than six months (Brundage et al., p. 498). Those with social anxiety fear negative judgement during

Social anxiety is “a feeling of discomfort, fear, or worry that is centered on our interactions with other people and involves a concern with being judged negatively, evaluated, or looked down upon by others” (Social Anxiety Support, 2014). Social anxiety can affect anyone. Individuals with social anxiety tend to prefer to keep to themselves because they are afraid others will judge them negatively and have a hard time interacting socially.

Social anxiety disorder, also called social phobia, is a disorder in which a person has an excessive and unreasonable fear of social situations. Social Anxiety causes intense nervousness and self-consciousness arises from a fear of being closely watched, judged, and criticized by others.