by Paula Maher

Created on: May 25, 2008   Last Updated: May 28, 2008

The World Psychiatric Association has made an approximation that up to 15% of the population is afflicted with a condition called Social Anxiety Disorder or Social Phobia.

Sufferers experience extreme fear and shyness in social situations. The Nemours Foundation has an article on their website: (http://www.kidshealth.org/teen/your_mind/mental_hea lth/social_phobia.html) about this debilitating social condition and Lana, 16 writes, "If a teacher called on me I'd panic. My heart would beat so hard, and I felt like I could barely breathe."

Social phobia can be confused with shyness and it is important to differentiate between the two. A shy person can feel timid in a general sense, whereas people with social anxiety disorder have real debilitating dread that can cause paralyzing conditions such rapid heartbeat and breathing, the symptoms are similar to those of a panic attack. People ailed by this illness can also suffer from depression and isolation. Some of the warning signs that someone close to you may have social phobia are:

Excessive avoidance of any social situation to the point that life is quite disrupted.

Extreme self consciousness and anxiety.

Disproportionate worry about upcoming social engagements etc.

Unwarranted concern of other's judgments of them.

The are three types of social phobia and they are:

Generalized social phobia: This involves dread of social situations in general.

Specific social phobia: Some have a dread of specific activities, such as eating in front of others or being introduced to someone new etc...

Avoidant personality disorder: This is the most severe type of social anxiety. It causes the victim to completely isolate him or herself to the point that life can become completely solitary.

It is unclear as to what the causes are for this type of phobia and it is unknown whether it runs in families, is environmental or both. Traumatic events such as public humiliation or embarrassment can also be culprits.

Most cases of social phobia are diagnosed before the age of twenty. Many people with this disorder are reluctant to admit they need assistance. It may be helpful to introduce the idea of obtaining aid by giving the afflicted person literature about the condition first to show he or she that they are not alone in this and help is out there.

The principal thing to do when a family member or a friend suspects their loved one may be afflicted with Social Phobia is a visit to a doctor, who may refer the patient to a psychiatrist. Cognitive Behavioral

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