Do You Suffer From Social Anxiety Disorder

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Most of us tend to avoid potentially embarrassing public situations like giving a speech or appearing for an interview. What separates this natural tendency to shy away in such situations from social anxiety disorder? When an individual has an extreme, excessive and unreasonable fear of social situations, he can be diagnosed with social anxiety disorder. Also called social phobia, people suffering from this disorder have a fear of being scrutinized, embarrassed or judged in public. Extreme cases of anxiety can lead to panic attacks.

Social anxiety disorder can be specific or general. When one suffers from fear of only one particular social situation, like speaking in public, then the disorder is specific. Generalized disorder occurs when an individual has a constant fear of being embarrassed or judged by the people around him.

Sometimes, the symptoms may be so severe that they make it difficult for the individual to lead a normal life. A lot of people suffer from social anxiety disorder, although different people are triggered by different situations. You can examine the following symptoms and find out if you suffer from social anxiety disorder.

Emotional Traits

Some behavioural traits are characteristic of individuals suffering from social anxiety disorder. He will actively avoid interacting with unknown people or doing unfamiliar things due to fear of embarrassing himself. He will be constantly worried about being humiliated and judged by the people around him. He will go to any lengths to avoid being the centre of attention. Normal things like talking on the telephone, using public toilets or eating in front of others will cause him great anxiety. There will also be an intense fear that somebody will notice his unusual behaviour.

Personality Traits

A person who has social phobia will have low self-esteem. Along with poor social skills, he will have trouble being assertive. He will constantly put himself down and will be hypersensitive to criticism.

Behavioural Traits

He will avoid social situations so much so that it will disrupt his normal life. If faced with any such situation, he will either try to blend into the background by pretending to be invisible or try to take a friend everywhere with him. In an attempt to tackle his anxiety, he might resort to consuming alcohol before participating in any social situation.

Physiological Traits

An individual having social phobia may have certain physical reactions when he is in a situation he wants to avoid. This includes excessive sweating, clammy hands trembling and profuse blushing. The individual might have difficulty in making eye contact or talking. A feeling of nausea and dizziness when around other people is also a symptom of social anxiety disorder. In extreme cases, he will suffer from diarrhoea, breathlessness and spasms. Children suffering from this disorder will resort to crying or throwing tantrums.

Just because you experience shyness or discomfort, especially in the case of children, does not mean you suffer from social phobia. Each individual has varying comfort levels. But when these symptoms become severe, you might be suffering from social anxiety disorder.

Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for general informational and educational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or a qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.