by Meghan Rizzo

Created on: May 27, 2008   Last Updated: March 05, 2009

Social phobia is a condition characterized by the sufferer's feelings of extreme fear when confronted by otherwise simple and commonplace social situations. It is a debilitating disorder that has the potential to significantly lower the quality of life of the sufferer, but there are many ways to reduce the severity of the symptoms, if not completely eradicate them.

Symptoms of Social Phobia

One major characteristic of Social Phobia is the panic attack or anxiety attack. For those suffering from Social Phobia, a panic attack can be triggered by something as daunting as public speaking to something as innocuous as going to the grocery store.

Though a panic attack will usually not last for more than ten to fifteen minutes, once it is over, the sufferer will feel weakened, exhausted, and terrified as to when the next attack will strike. Because of this "anxiety about anxiety" the patient will begin to avoidpotentially stressful situations, fearing that he or she will experience another panic attack, this marking the beginnings of Social Phobia Disorder.

This avoidance behavior actually contributes to the phobia because the patient is not confronting his or her fears. As a result, he or she feels incapable of completing necessary tasks, and reluctant to face the day. It is not surprising that many people with Social Phobia also experience the symptoms of depression. Their tendency to withdraw from others causes feelings of loneliness, sadness, and hopelessness.

Causes of Social Phobia

Social Phobia can affect anyone, but certain personality types seem more prone to it than others. Perfectionists, for example, are more likely to experience anxiety disorders than other people, particularly Social Phobia. Such individuals might worry excessively about how they are perceived by others. They fear embarrassment and tend to obsess over disturbing hypothetical situations.

For example, someone who suffers from social phobia might worry that he or she will faint, become ill, or have a panic attack during a social situation. While others might brush such an incident off as being simply unpleasant, the Sociophobe might imagine being laughed at or perceived as weak, and subsequently traumatized by the experience.

Others who might be prone to Social Phobia are people who are simply shy or have trouble expressing themselves. Anyone who has had a traumatic social experience is also someone who might experience Social Phobia.

Social Phobia Treatment

There are many resources and avenues of

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