Social Phobia

Social Phobia is defined as a marked and persistent fear of social or performance situations in which embarrassment may occur. Exposure to the social or performance situation provokes an immediate anxiety response, and the phobic stimulus is avoided, although it is sometimes endured with dread. Those with a formal diagnosis for Social Phobia experience significant disturbance of normal life activities because of active avoidance, fear, or anxious anticipation of encountering a social or performance situation. This disturbance must also be present for at least 6 months for individuals under the age of 18.

In the feared social or performance situation, the individual fears that others will judge them to be anxious, weak, "crazy", or stupid. Those with Social Phobia almost always experience symptoms of anxiety (palpitations, tremors, sweating, gastrointestinal discomfort, diarrhea, muscle tension, blushing, confusion) in the feared social situations. In some cases, these symptoms may meet the criteria for a Panic Attack (link to "What is a Panic Attack?").

While fear of being embarrassed in social situations is common, it is the degree to which an individual avoids or endures these situations that is important. It must significantly interfere with normal life activities to be classified as a disorder. Most often, Social Phobia has an onset in the mid-teens and may be a lifelong struggle. The severity of the disorder may vary with other life events and stressors in the individual’s life.