Many people haveanxietyin social situations, especially when meeting new people, but the fear is usually not severe and typically passes. For people with社交恐惧症然而,恐惧啊f embarrassment in social situations is excessive, extremely intrusive and can have debilitating effects on personal and professional relationships.
The symptoms and signs of socialphobia
At least 7.2 million Americans experience clinically significantphobiasin a given year, many of them have social phobia.Phobiasare persistent, irrational fears of certain objects or situations.
People with social phobia have an overwhelming and disabling fear of disapproval in social situations. They recognize that their fear may be excessive or unreasonable, but are unable to overcome it. The symptoms and signs of social phobia include blushing,sweating, trembling, rapid heartbeat, muscle tension,nauseaor other stomach discomfort,lightheadedness, and other symptoms ofanxiety.
Without treatment
Unless treated, social phobia can be extremely disabling to a person's work, social and family relationships. In extreme cases, a person may begin to avoid all social situations and become housebound. The good news is that effective treatment for social phobia is available and can be tremendously helpful to people living with this disorder.
With treatment
Effective treatments for social phobias include medications, a specific form ofpsychotherapycalled cognitive-behavioral therapy, or a combination of medication and psychotherapy.
Medications for social phobias includeantidepressantscalled selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) andmonoamine oxidase inhibitors(MAOIs), as well asdrugsknown as high-potency benzodiazepenes. People with a specific form of social phobia, called performance phobia, can be helped with drugs calledbeta-blockers.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy teaches patients to react differently to the situations and bodily sensations that triggeranxietysymptoms. For example, a type of cognitive-behavioral treatment known as "exposure therapy" involves helping patients become more comfortable with situations that frighten them by gradually increasing exposure to the situation.
For more information please visit the MedicineNet.comAnxietyCenter and theStressCenter.
This article incorporates information provided by the National Institute ofMental Health, which is part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
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