Does the thought of personal introductions, group presentations, meetings and group discussions scare you?
Do you avoid informal gatherings? Do you dread making contact with people. Do you dread picking up the phone to hire a plumber or a handyman?
Do you avoid people on the street, even people you know?
If you answered yes to any of these, you are showing symptoms of social anxiety disorder.
The cure has probably evaded you because of your condition. Perhaps you’ve just learned to adapt. Or maybe you are suffering so badly you just don’t want to make contact to find the cure. This is certainly understandable. It’s sort of a catch-22. You need to ‘socialize’ in order to get help.
For some, even the word ‘socialize’ scares them. The first image that comes to mind is being in public surrounded by many people, all looking at them and judging them.
Social Anxiety Disorder can be devastating. It can affect our jobs, our friendships, our enjoyment of life in general. Something as simple as dining out is avoided.
So what, exactly, is Social Anxiety Disorder?
Generalized Social Anxiety Disorder is an irrational fear of almost all social situations. When it is mostly triggered by interaction with other people, the anxiety is more specific. Such situations can cause self-consciousness, a sense of being judged and a feeling of inferiority. People with Social Anxiety Disorder usually experience feelings of inadequacy and embarrassment. They fear being humiliated, especially in public.
The difference between anxiety and social anxiety can be determined by the circumstances under which it appears. If the person is fine when they are by themselves but anxious in public, then social anxiety disorder is most likely the problem.
What are the symptoms of Social Anxiety Disorder?
There are many symptoms of Social Anxiety Disorder, among them: