Social Anxiety Disorder

Social Anxiety Disorder is an intense fear of social situations where embarrassment may occur. People with the disorder believe that others may judge them or think poorly of them. The disorder also causes the person to be hyper aware of their physical symptoms and thinks that other people will notice these symptoms. People with the disorder can usually acknowledge that the fears are unfounded, but they have no way to control them.

The fear results in three things:

1. anxiety in anticipation of the situation.
2. a panic attack while in the situation.
3. avoidance of the situation.

Symptoms:

• palpitations
• tremors
• sweating
• diarrhea
• confusion
• blushing

Most common fears (sufferers usually experience fear in more than one social situation):

• Public speaking
• Talking to strangers
• Performance fears (including situations like eating or drinking in public)
• Fear of meeting new people

Social anxiety disorder can affect children, adolescents and adults.