|
Social anxiety disorder, also known as social phobia, is a type of anxiety disorder in which a person experiences extreme anxiety in some social and public situations. It is among the most common mental disorders that affect adults. People with this disorder have an intense and chronic fear of embarrassing themselves or being perceived by others as anxious, weak, crazy or stupid. Such fears are so intense that they may prevent patients from performing their job duties or engaging in other day-to-day activities.
About 15 million adult Americans ages 18 and older suffer from social anxiety disorder, according to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). The disorder affects men and women equally. Social anxiety disorder should not be confused with shyness, stage fright or typical anxiety. These are normal emotions that people experience in situations that may be unusual, new or otherwise stressful. Social anxiety disorder causes anxiety that is especially intense and that is typically considered irrational given the social circumstances that are present. People fear what they perceive as the scrutiny and judgment of others who watch them in the anxiety-provoking situation.
Some people with social anxiety disorder may find that their symptoms only occur in certain situations. For example, a person may be at ease with people most of the time, but experience discomfort in certain situations such as eating in front of others or giving a presentation. Patients may fear using public restrooms or talking on the phone or writing while others watch. In other cases, people with social anxiety disorder will feel intense anxiety in almost any social situation.
People with social anxiety disorder will go to great lengths to avoid social situations that make them uncomfortable, or will find themselves worrying for days or weeks in advance of a dreaded social situation. Patients in an anxiety-provoking situation may experience symptoms related to panic attacks, sudden brief episodes of fear and anxiety.
Social anxiety disorder often begins in childhood or early adolescence, typically around age 13 and usually lasts throughout a person’s lifetime. Patients may find it difficult to make and maintain relationships, and may avoid school, work or other day-to-day situations. The type of social anxiety disorder that a patient suffers from may depend on gender. For example, fear of blushing may be more prevalent among women. In other cases, fears may be based on experience. Fear of eating in front of others is more likely in someone who has had a past embarrassing episode of choking in public. |
/doctor_89.jpg "ulcerative colitis tips")