What is social anxiety disorder?
Social anxiety disorder (also known as social phobia) is a disorder that causes a person to feel uncomfortable in public, such as not being able to talk to people around them, having difficulty meeting new people, avoiding public places.
A person with this diagnosis is afraid of being criticized or judged by others. They may realize that the fear is irrational, but they still have a hard time dealing with the phobia.
Symptoms of social anxiety disorder include:
- Redness;
- Nausea;
- Sweating;
- Trembling;
- Speech problem;
- Feeling of heart failure;
- Dizziness;
- Rapid heartbeat.
Examples of psychological symptoms include:
- Intense fear before and after social interaction;
- Avoids events and if forced to attend, always prefers to be in the background;
- Fear that what he does will be shameful and has a strong feeling of embarrassment;
- Worries that others will notice how stressed he is and that he feels uncomfortable;
- He takes alcohol to increase his courage while participating in social activities;
- Misses school or does not go to work due to anxiety.
During social phobia, a person avoids:
- Asking a question;
- Coming to a job interview;
- Shopping;
- Use of public toilet;
- Eating on the street;
- Talking on the phone.
The exact cause of social anxiety disorder is unknown. According to psychologists, physical, biological and genetic factors contribute.
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