Psychological Disorders: Social Anxiety

Anxiety is one of the most well-known disorders across the globe, but it comes in many different forms effecting numerous types of people. Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD), also known as social phobia, is one of the main run-offs of anxiety that exists in the world today. It is absolutely normal to feel a little nervous or anxious before trying something new; however, Social Anxiety impels the individual diagnosed to feel distress and agitation in most, if not all, social situations that they partake in because they are afraid of the possible embarrassment that may come from it (American Psychiatric Association [APA], 2013).

Social anxiety disorder also known as social phobia is a phobia that prevents the person from being able to have a normal social life. When in a crowed situation this person will have a constant fear that their pears are making fun of them or talking about them. This prevents

This type of Anxiety Disorder has a direct correlation relating to social situations. A person experiencing this disorder has a chronic fear of other people’s perceptions of them. They are especially likely to avoid any situation where they are being observed by others such as giving presentations or activities that must be performed in front of an audience, large or small. In extreme circumstances where social anxiety disorder exists, a person will avoid social situations all together and will become a “hermit” in their own individual abode. This disorder is impairing to one’s normal life functioning because it often affects a person’s ability to perform the essential duties in a work environment. It also deters them from engaging in typical conversations because the fear of being embarrassed or judged is so extreme (Fleming, 2012).

According to the DSM 5, social anxiety disorder (SAD) is a chronic and persistent disorder characterized by an intense fear of social situations. Those with SAD often fear that other will judge them for negative traits or evaluate them harshly, preventing them from engaging in social behaviors. This fear may seem disproportionate to the situation faced and sociocultural context involved, but is salient enough to be debilitating and effect daily functioning. ). Many of the afflicted inhibit their behavior to avoid such fearful situations, which will impact their functioning in school, relationships, and later in life, the workplace. The onset of anxiety symptoms often occurs between early childhood to late adolescence, approximately 8 to 15

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 disorder also known as social phobia is very much a real thing.It is a psychiatric disorder, and is very different from being shy or being an introvert. Social anxiety disorder or SAD, is an intense anxiety or fear of being judged, negatively evaluated, or rejected in a social or performance situation. People with SAD worry about acting or appearing visibly anxious, for example, stumbling over words, or being viewed as stupid or awkward or boring. As a result, they often avoid social or performance situations, and when a situation cannot be avoided, they experience significant anxiety and distress. This is again, different from your usual feeling of shame or distress at being awkward,

Anxiety could be a big problem with someone. They could have Social Anxiety. Social Anxiety is a chronic mental health condition in which social interactions cause irrational anxiety. That could lead to a fear to talk in front of a crowd.

Social Anxiety Disorder also known as Social Phobia, is characterized by a strong and persistent fear of social or performance situations in which humiliation or embarrassment may occur. While it's normal to feel some anxiety in some social situations, those afflicted by Social Anxiety Disorder experience intense distress, self-consciousness, and fear of judgement in everyday social interactions.

Social anxiety is a relatively newly defined mental illness. It wasn't until 1987 that the illness is was defined more as we see it today. (SocialAnxietyInstitue.org) One of the more common types of anxiety, social anxiety effects many people in many different ways. Social anxiety has an effect on every aspect of a person's life, both professional and personal. It has an effect on how well a person can do their job, when they could potentially have a panic attack just by the thought of going into work where there are so many people. It doubtlessly effects a person's personal life, too nervous to go out with friends and meet new people, panic attacks at the mere thought of going to a party. Instead many people with social anxiety choose to spend most of their time at home alone; completely avoiding socialization and the panic and worry that goes along with it. Even though it's one of the most common type of mental disorders, the public perception of social anxiety disorder is that it simply doesn't exist. People with social anxiety are often labeled as “shy”, or introverted. But it goes way beyond mere shyness, and is totally different than being introverted.

Social anxiety is the result of fear, self consciousness, poor social skills, low self-esteem, the fear of being judged, fear of being the center of attention and the fear of humiliation in public. People with social anxiety disorder suffer from distorted thinking, including false beliefs about social situations and the negative opinions of others. Without treatment, social anxiety disorder can negatively interfere with the person's normal daily routine, including school, work, social activities, and relationship. People who are considered shy are more likely to suffer from social anxiety. Some parents think their children are experiencing shyness but what if it is something more than just being shy? What if it is the social anxiety that they are facing? (Cuncin). Parents need to pay attention to their kids more often, and not assume things. The less people know about social anxiety; the more people will assume that a person is just shy while it is actually something more serious than that. With that being said, there are some things that trigger social

Social anxiety disorder is the fear of social or performance situations in which embarrassment typically occurs(McCarthhy,Hevey,Brogan &Kelly,2013). Social anxiety is a lifelong disorder, it is the third most psychiatric disorder and the most common anxiety disorder. Social anxiety is associated with professional and social impairments and reduces the quality of life(Willutzki,Teismann & Schulte,2012). Social anxiety is also associated with depression, suicide, and alcohol abuse(Pinjarkar, Sudhir & Math,2015).Social anxiety usually begins in childhood or early adolescence (Shahar,2014). Without treatment, social anxiety often progresses.

The National Institute of Health reports that roughly fifteen million adults suffer from this disorder (Neergaard). This illness could stem from a child’s genetics or from the child’s environment when growing up. Most adolescents start showing signs of social anxiety around thirteen years of age. Social anxiety can easily lead to substance abuse as early as age sixteen and depression by age fifteen. Shy children have a higher risk of developing social anxiety, but shyness differs from social anxiety. The main difference between a shy person and someone suffering from social anxiety is a shy person can interact with a group of people and can usually adapt to his or her surroundings. On the other hand, a socially anxious person will become paralyzed when forced to communicate or present a presentation in front of a crowd or group of people. Typically, this disorder will go unnoticed because the child learns to blend into his or her surroundings, but a child may start to show symptoms as early as three to four years

     Social anxiety disorder or social phobia is a much more common problem then psychologists originally thought. Millions of people al over the world

A person that has a job and deals with social anxiety on the side can have trouble putting effort in or fully participating in their job. The person may turn down tasks because it involves public speaking, or doing something out of their comfort zone. Work is stressful as it is. Social anxiety adds overwhelming amounts of pressure to any job. This might prevent the person from trying to get a job. Some people with severe social anxiety will do anything to avoid social situations. For example, they fear meeting new people, talking to new people, having job interviews, or answering questions. In the National Institute of Metal Health article, titles “Social Anxiety Disorder: More Than Just Shyness” it states, “Doing everyday things in front of people- such as eating or drinking in front of others or using a public restroom- also causes anxiety or fear. The person is afraid that he or she will be humiliated, judged, and rejected….Sometimes, they end up staying away from places or events where they think they might have to do something that will embarrass them.” People that work with social anxiety are usually limited within their work effort due to the symptoms of fear caused by the anxiety.

Social anxiety is the fear of being seen negatively by others. Those people with social anxiety fear being humiliated in public. Some people think of social anxiety as extreme shyness. This is because those people tend to avoid social situations and try to talk to as few people as possible. People with social anxiety get really scared and nervous at the thought of having to give a presentation in front of the whole class. They also get anxious when having to order food at a restaurant or have to pay for groceries when they go to the store. (Smith,