Do you find yourself avoiding social situations? Do you get anxious when meeting new people or speaking in front of groups? If so, you may have social phobia, also known as a Social Anxiety Disorder.
Social phobia is a common mental health condition affecting millions worldwide. Although It can be very debilitating, making it hard to work, go to school, or even just leave the house. You’ll learn about social phobia in this blog post.
Symptoms
Shyness or discomfort in certain situations are not always symptoms of social anxiety disorder, especially in youngsters. The comfort level in social situations varies according to personality attributes and life experiences. Some people are more reserved by nature, while others are more outgoing.
In contrast to ordinary uneasiness, social anxiety disorder is characterized by fear, anxiety, and avoidance that interferes with relationships, daily routines, jobs, school, or other activities. The onset of social anxiety disorder is often in the early to mid-teens, while it can occur in younger children or adults.
Behavioral and Emotional Symptoms
Consistent signs and symptoms of a social anxiety disorder include:
- Fear of being judged adversely in situations.
- Concern yourself with embarrassing or degrading yourself.
- Fear of interacting or conversing with strangers.
- Fear that people may see your anxiety.
- The anxiety of embarrassing bodily symptoms such as blushing, sweating, trembling, or having a shaky voice.
- Fear of embarrassment causes people to avoid doing tasks or speaking to others.
- Avoid circumstances in which you may be the center of attention.
- Anxiety in anticipation of a feared activity or event.
- Fear or anxiety in social conditions.
- After a social situation, analyze your performance and identify your interactions’ shortcomings.
Physical Symptoms
Physical indications and symptoms of social anxiety disorder may include:
-Blushing
-Rapid heart rate
-Shaking
-Shivering
-Nausea or upset stomach
-Having trouble catching your breath.
-Dizziness or drowsiness
-Feeling as though your mind has gone blank and Muscle tension.
Preventing Common Social Pitfalls
When you have a social anxiety disorder, common, everyday encounters might be difficult to bear, such as:
-Interacting with strangers or unknown persons
-Attending social gatherings or parties
-Leaving for work or school
-Conversation starters
-Making direct eye contact
-Dating
-Getting into a space where others are already sitting
-Returning merchandise
-Consuming food in public and also making use of a public restroom
Risk Factors and Causes
Social phobia involves several brain regions and appears to be influenced by both inherited and environmental factors. Regarding genetics, social phobia can run in families, but no one knows why some family members have it while others do not. 1 Temperamental risk factors include behavioral inhibition, while environmental risk factors might include early trauma or mistreatment.
A person who suffers from a social phobia is also more likely to develop other mental diseases, such as depression and substance abuse problems. It also frequently begins early in life, with an average beginning age of 13 years, and lasts a long period.
