Social Phobia

Social phobia is one of the more common anxiety disorders.  It involves fear of embarrassment or humilitation in situations where you are exposed to the scrutiny of others or must perform. This fear is much stronger than the normal anxiety most nonphobic people experience in social or performance situations. Usually it's so strong that it causes you to avoid the situation altogether, although some people with social phobia endure social situations, albeit with considerable anxiety. Their concern is that they will say or do something that will cause others to judge them as being anxious, weak, "crazy", or stupid.

The most common social phobia is fear of public speaking.  It is the most common of all phobias and affects performers, speakers, people whose jobs require them to make presentations, and students who have to speak in front of  their class.

Other common social phobias include:

*   Fear of blushing in public.

*   Fear of being watched at work.

*   Fear of choking on or spilling food while      eating in   public.

*   Fear of using public toilets.

*   Fear of crowds.

*   Fear of taking examinations.


Sometimes social phobia is less specific and involves a generalized fear of any social or group situation where you feel that you might be watched or evaluated.

While social anxieties are common, you would be given a formal diagnosis of social phobia only if your avoidance interferes with work, social activities, or important relationships, and/or it causes you considerable distress.  

As with agoraphobia, panic attacks can accompany social phobia, although the panic is related more to being embarrassed or humiliated than to being confined or trapped. Also the panic arises only in connection with a specific type of social situation.

Treatment for social phobia is often best carried out in a group setting.