Need Help with Anxiety Problems?
 by: Jason Miller 

Social phobia, also called  social anxiety disorder , involves overwhelming anxiety and excessive self-consciousness in everyday social situations. People with social phobia have a persistent, intense, and chronic fear of being watched and judged by others and being embarrassed or humiliated by their own actions. Their fear may be so severe that it interferes with work or school, and other ordinary activities. While many people with social phobia recognize that their fear of being around people may be excessive or unreasonable, they are unable to overcome it. They often worry for days or weeks in advance of a dreaded situation.

Social phobia can be limited to only one type of situationsuch as a fear of speaking in formal or informal situations, or eating, drinking, or writing in front of othersor, in its most severe form, may be so broad that a person experiences symptoms almost anytime they are around other people. Social phobia can be very debilitatingit may even keep people from going to work or school on some days. Many people with this illness have a hard time making and keeping friends.

Physical symptoms often accompany the intense anxiety of social phobia and include blushing, profuse sweating, trembling, nausea, and difficulty talking. If you suffer from social phobia, you may be painfully embarrassed by these symptoms and feel as though all eyes are focused on you. You may be afraid of being with people other than your family.

People with social phobia are aware that their feelings are irrational. Even if they manage to confront what they fear, they usually feel very anxious beforehand and are intensely uncomfortable throughout. Afterward, the unpleasant feelings may linger, as they worry about how they may have been judged or what others may have thought or observed about them.

Social phobia affects about 5.3 million adult Americans. Women and men are equally likely to develop social phobia. The disorder usually begins in childhood or early adolescence, and there is some evidence that genetic factors are involved. Social phobia often co-occurs with other anxiety disorders or depression. Substance abuse or dependence may develop in individuals who attempt to "self-medicate" their social phobia by drinking or using drugs. Social phobia can be treated successfully with carefully targeted psychotherapy or medications.

Many people with anxiety disorders benefit from joining a self-help group and sharing their problems and achievements with others. Talking with trusted friends or a trusted member of the clergy can also be very helpful, although not a substitute for mental health care. Participating in an Internet chat room may also be of value in sharing concerns and decreasing a sense of isolation, but any advice received should be viewed with caution.

To read the rest of this article please visit our website at HelpingDepression.com Here you will also find helpful articles on mental health disorders that affect millions of people today

About The Author

Jason Miller has sought for years to teach others about mental health illnesses and what treatment options there are for those suffering from them. Please visit our website at HelpingDepression.com.

This article was posted on January 03, 2006

job interview??? – Social Anxiety Forum
Besides the job interview and the first day on the job anxiety, now i have a new one. the packing up my desk fear. we have an open space layout in our office and i’m dreading having to pack my stuff in front of everyone.

 
Stop Being Avoidant
Agoraphobia is anxiety about being trapped in situations or places with no. Fear of Elevators Unfamiliar Surroundings Social Phobia.

 
Hey guys, im a Vicodin user on the weekends
The most important thing to do is to take care of yourself and find better ways of coping with anxiety (it CAN be done) that are not harmful to your health.

New Anxiety and Mood Disorders Intensive Treatment Program
Examples of services include coping skills, medication management, emotion regulation, interpersonal effectiveness, family therapy, mood regulation, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) and art.

Technorati Tags: overcome social anxiety, social anxiety disorder treatment, Social Anxiety Help