Screen Readers Skip to Content
🖶 Print page

What Is Social Phobia?

NOTE: This article is over 3 years old and may not reflect current information, despite the page being updated. It may still be useful for research but should be verified for accuracy and relevance.

Published: 2009-01-18 - Updated: 2021-12-11
Author: Disabled World | Contact: Disabled World (Disabled-World.com)
Peer-Reviewed Publication: N/A
Library of Related Papers: Phobias and Fears Publications

Synopsis: Social phobia is one type of social phobia disorder that does not have to be suffered alone and it is treatable with the proper support and medical intervention. The disorder is distinguished by feelings of apprehensive around others and nervousness. There is also a deep feeling of humiliation or embarrassment when a patient is faced with group or single social situations, so much so that they fear being watched or unpleasantly evaluated by others. Generally speaking, social phobia starts in the later teenage years and continues on into adulthood. The person can suffer from the inability to interact with others and therefore not experience normal situations whereby they can assess others reactions towards them.

advertisements

Main Digest

Social phobia is a mental health disorder that is difficult to understand because it is amongst the last anxiety conditions discovered by doctors. In fact, about 7% of people suffer from this condition, which can be debilitating and difficult for doctors to diagnose. Most are aware that their symptoms are not right, but unaware of exactly what they are suffering.

Related Publications:

The disorder is distinguished by feelings of apprehensive around others and nervousness. There is also a deep feeling of humiliation or embarrassment when a patient is faced with group or single social situations, so much so that they fear being watched or unpleasantly evaluated by others. Other symptoms include:

Avoidance of most social interactions or the need to endure a lot of distress if socializing:

There are many possible causes for social phobia, but some of them appear to result from bad experiences, possibly during childhood, such as bullying, parental rejection or teasing. Some people, most especially teenagers, may become shy as they get older or possibly even socially restrained.

Generally speaking, social phobia starts in the later teenage years and continues on into adulthood. The person can suffer from the inability to interact with others and therefore not experience normal situations whereby they can assess others reactions towards them. Most people will try to resolve social phobia by themselves by avoiding others, but the best steps initially include:

Social phobic sufferers must get professional help if their anxiety is starting to affect their daily lives. If the anxiety interferes with basic things like schooling, self-esteem and relationships with others then it is time to speak to your family doctor. In fact, professional help is as close as getting a referral from your family doctor to get counseling, psychiatric treatment or psycho educational support.

There are many online counseling services and support groups that help people suffering from anxiety disorders of all types. Some specifically deal with social phobia. These groups and counselors allow patients who do not want their doctors to become aware of their mental health issue to get the help they need without the further embarrassment and stigma that they may feel goes along with having a mental illness. Some useful supportive sites include the Social Phobia/Social Anxiety Association, the Social Phobia Network and Social Phobia Support.

Social phobia is one type of social phobia disorder that does not have to be suffered alone and it is treatable with the proper support and medical intervention. However, understanding that one is not the only one suffering this in the world and not judging oneself harshly for suffering it, as well as getting support and medical help are the best steps to ending the difficulties and debilitating affects it is having on one's life.

Getting help now from family, friends and one's family doctor is the only sure way to guarantee one's social phobia can be resolved.

Tweet This Add to Facebook Post to Reddit
advertisements

Disabled World is an independent disability community established in 2004 to provide disability news and information to people with disabilities, seniors, their family and/or carers. See our homepage for informative news, reviews, sports, stories and how-tos. You can also connect with us on Twitter and Facebook or learn more on our about us page.

Disabled World provides general information only. The materials presented are never meant to substitute for professional medical care by a qualified practitioner, nor should they be construed as such. Financial support is derived from advertisements or referral programs, where indicated. Any 3rd party offering or advertising does not constitute an endorsement.


Cite This Page (APA): Disabled World. (2009, January 18). What Is Social Phobia?. Disabled World. Retrieved May 30, 2023 from www.disabled-world.com/health/neurology/phobias/social-phobia.php

Permalink: <a href="https://www.disabled-world.com/health/neurology/phobias/social-phobia.php">What Is Social Phobia?</a>