Always Embarrassed. Social Phobia ...

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Social Phobia
(
Social Anxiety Disorder
)
Easy To Read
National Institute of Mental Health
U.S. Department of HealtH anD HUman ServiceS • national institutes of Health
Always Embarrassed:
National Institute of Mental Health
Social Phobia
Anxiety Disorders
People with anxiety disorders feel extremely fearful and unsure.
Most people feel anxious about something for a short time now and
again, but people with anxiety disorders feel this way most of the time.
Their fears and worries make it hard for them to do everyday tasks.
About 18% of American adults have anxiety disorders. Children also
may have them.
Treatment is available for people with anxiety disorders. Researchers
are also looking for new treatments that will help relieve symptoms.
This booklet is about one kind of anxiety disorder called social phobia.
Some people also call it social anxiety disorder. For information about
other kinds of anxiety disorders, please see the end of this booklet.
Social Phobia
Social phobia is a strong fear of being judged by others
and of being embarrassed. This fear can be so strong that it
gets in the way of going to work or school or doing other
everyday things.
People with social phobia are afraid of doing common
things in front of other people; for example, they might be
afraid to sign a check in front of a cashier at the grocery
store, or they might be afraid to eat or drink in front of
other people. All of us have been a little bit nervous, at one
time or another, about things like meeting new people or
giving a speech. But people with social phobia worry about
these and other things for weeks before they happen.
Most of the people who have social phobia know that they
shouldn’t be as afraid as they are, but they can’t control their
fear. Sometimes, they end up staying away from places or
events where they think they might have to do something
that will embarrass them. That can keep them from doing
the everyday tasks of living and from enjoying times with
family and friends.
Most people who have social phobia
know they shouldn't be as afraid
as they are, but they can't control
their fear.
This is a list of common symptoms.
People with social phobia:
•
are very anxious
about being with other people.
•
are very self-conscious
in front of other people; that is,
they are very worried about how they themselves will act.
•
are very afraid of being embarrassed
in front
of other people.
•
are very afraid
that other people will judge them.
•
worry for days or weeks
before an event where other
people will be.
•
stay away from places
where there are other people.
•
have a hard time
making friends and keeping friends.
•
may have body symptoms
when they are with other
people, such as:
blushing,
heavy sweating,
trembling,
nausea, and
having a hard time talking.
s o c i a l
p h o b i a
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