What is Social Phobia?
A Social Phobia is an excessive and persistent fear of social or performance situations in which embarrassment may occur. When the person is exposed to the social or performance situation they invariably experience an anxiety reaction. The person begins to avoid social situations where they experience anxiety. The person’s fear of being criticised in a negative way nearly always interferes with their daily routine, occupational functioning or social life.
Most adults and adolescents recognise their fear as excessive and unreasonable. In spite of this they remain fearful that other people will judge them to be anxious, weak, crazy or stupid. They often worry about blushing, shaking or being unable to talk in front of others.
How does Social Phobia occur?
Most researchers view social phobia as a habit which is learned. This is good news because anything that is learnt can be unlearnt. Some people report their social phobias starting during childhood as a form of shyness. Other people report their social phobia starting suddenly following a stressful or humiliating experience.
The three parts of Social Phobia
Most therapists consider social phobia to have the following essential ingredients:-
(1) Thoughts - That is what the socially phobic person thinks when they are in or anticipate a social situation eg
“I know I’m going to be anxious”
“people will notice my anxiety and think less of me”
“I won’t be able to think or say anything”
“There is something wrong with me; I’m different to other people”
etc.
(2) Physiology - body feelings
* - shaking
* - heart pounding
* - muscle tension
* - blushing
* - sweating
This is the body’s natural way to protect itself in a dangerous situation.
However social situations feared by socially anxious people are not dangerous.
(3) Behaviour - what you do.
* a person may avoid social situations altogether.
* a person may use more subtle forms of avoidance such as not eating or drinking in public.
*Source: http://www.dircsa.org.au/dbtw-wpd/exec/dbtwpub.dll?AC=GET_RECORD&XC=/dbtw-wpd/exec/dbtwpub.dll&BU=&TN=directory&SN=AUTO6491&SE=472&RN=3&MR=0&TR=0&TX=1000&ES=0&CS=1&XP=&RF=Online_SearchResults&EF=&DF=Online_SearchDetails&RL=0&EL=0&DL=0&NP=3&ID=&MF=WPMSGDIR.INI&MQ=&TI=0&DT=&ST=0&IR=387&NR=0&NB=0&SV=0&BG=&FG=&QS=&OEX=ISO-8859-1&OEH=ISO-8859-1
