Social Anxiety Disorder

Social anxiety, also known as social phobia, is a feeling of fear and discomfort of being judged badly by other people. Anyone can experience this at work, school, special events, and even at doing everyday things. Many people have experienced a feeling like this and that is normal. But having a social anxiety disorder can have a huge affect in someone’s life style. The effects of having disorder can lead to bad results in life.

There are many adolescences that suffer from anxiety that interferes with them performing in the school setting, and often affects their behavior and grades. One of these anxiety disorders is social anxiety disorder, which is “characterized by significant discomfort and avoidance of social or performance situations” (Ryan & Warner, 2012, p. 105). Studies have found that “recent estimates indicate that 6% of children and 12.1% of adolescents meet criteria for this diagnosis” (Ryan & Warner, 2012, p. 105). Sara is a 13-year-old female suffering from anxiety symptoms. Sara attends middle school in Broward county and is a client in the COMPASS program at school. She has presented with symptoms of anxiety when in the school setting and in other social environments, resulting in her referral to the program for continuous skipping of classes and failing grades. Sara received individual counseling at school and now at the Boys & Girls club with the goal of reducing her social anxiety symptoms at school and in other social settings. The underlying question this researcher seeks to answer is what impact does Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) have on helping adolescents to decrease anxiety?

The study of Social anxiety shows no clear causes for its variety of symptoms, but psychologists have been able to determined triggers and possible factors for its development. As psychologists continue to study social phobia, they have determined many possible causes. Since the late 1800’s and early 1900’s, psychologists have

Social anxiety is a prevalent and common disorder amongst society. Social anxiety disorder is expressed as a fear in public and social situations for an individual (Kashdan, Farmer, Adams, Mcknight, Ferssizidis, Nezelf 2013). A person with social anxiety fears that a social appearance, outcome, or situation will lead a to negative response to their surrounding audience (Kashdan, Farmer, Adams, Mcknight, Ferssizidis, Nezelf 2013). However there are numerous treatments for social anxiety. Cognitive behavioral therapy is one of the most efficacious treatments that a patient may receive (Hambrick, Weeks, Harb, & Heimberg, 2003. Cognitive behavioral therapy has numerous techniques that can be used on patients. The result of using cognitive

The concept of fear dated back as far as 400 BC. During this time, Hippocrates, an ancient Greek physician described the overly shy person as “someone who loves darkness as life and thinks every man observes him”. When fear is persistent and exaggerated, it results to tension and stress and consequently, anxiety.

No one wants to feel invisible or have a constant fear they will embarrass themselves just simply by speaking. In the United States today, even with our say-anything society, many people struggle with these exact worries on a day-today basis. Social anxiety is a disorder that many, even doctors, write off as having shy or introverted qualities. Despite the lack of knowledge and awareness for the disorder, social anxiety is a growing problem in our country and around the world.

Social phobia is usually diagnosed when the person suffers from excessive anxiety and overwhelming self consciousness in everyday situations. When asked "what is anxiety disorder?" this is the disorder most people think of. Social phobia affects about fifteen million American adults, half men and half women. Social phobia may affect one thing, like public speaking, or it may affect every social situation the person finds themselves in. A person with social phobia may worry so much over an upcoming event that it interferes with their work. Most people with social phobia realize that

Social anxiety disorder, also referred to as social phobia, is an anxiety disorder where an individual fears interaction with other people. When interacting socially, individuals with this disorder often feel they are being judged negatively, causing them to feel many different emotions. These emotions can range from embarrassment, humiliation, inferiority and depression. Social anxiety is considered a pervasive disorder, meaning it affects most areas in a person’s life. This type of anxiety is categorized as chronic because it cannot go away without some form of treatment. Social anxiety is one of the most common anxiety disorders; around 12% of adults in America have experienced it (Stein, Social anxiety, The Lancet). Although the cause of social anxiety is still unknown, it is believed that this form of anxiety be brought on by difference factors, such as environment, bullying, family conflicts and brain structure. Anxiety disorders can run in a family, however, doctors are not sure if this form of anxiety is due to genetics or from learned behaviors, as said by the Staff at the Mayo Clinic (Mayo Clinic Staff, Social anxiety disorder, 2013). While children are in their early learning stages of life, they try to follow in their parents’ footsteps by mimicking the way they talk, the way they behave and how they react to certain situations. This can cause a child to

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

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.

This literature review is conducted to explore the social anxiety disorder, its Etiology, prevalence and finally putting focus on the need of a special treatment for adolescent with social anxiety disorder. Anxiety problems are the most common and widespread mental issues and are an area of interest for the medical as well as psychology researchers. These disorders are related to excess fear and anxiety and associated behavioural problems, where an

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 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.