Many people get nervous or self-conscious on occasion, like when giving a speech or interviewing for a new job. But social anxiety disorder is more than just shyness or occasional nerves.
Social anxiety disorder involves intense fear of certain social situations—especially situations that are unfamiliar or in which you feel you’ll be watched or evaluated by others. These social situations may be so frightening that you get anxious just thinking about them or go to great lengths to avoid them.
The individual fears negative judged as dirty, weak, crazy, stupid or unlikable. The individual fears that she may show extreme symptoms like blushing, trembling, sweating, stumbling or staring. They fear offending others for being rejected.
The symptoms disrupt regular functioning of the individual as they fear eating, drinking water, writing, shaking hands, urinating in public washrooms.
Apart from getting anxious when in a social situation, individuals may also fear a social situation that is scheduled for future. There may worry about the event for weeks. Individuals may try to avoid social situation. The avoidance can be seen as extensive (eg. Not going for the event) or subtle (eg. Overpreparing a speech). Individuals with social anxiety overestimate the negative consequences of social situations (eg. when dealing with bullies).
The symptoms must have a duration of 6 months and are seen to impair one’s daily and routinely activities.
Individuals with the disorder are seen to be inadequately assertive in a conversation; they may have rigid body postures, make inadequate eye contact or speak very softly. They may be shy, withdrawn and less open to conversations. Individuals would set their functioning and jobs and residence in such a way that would avoid social situations.
Social anxiety disorder involves intense fear of certain social situations—especially situations that are unfamiliar or in which you feel you’ll be watched or evaluated by others. These social situations may be so frightening that you get anxious just thinking about them or go to great lengths to avoid them.
The individual fears negative judged as dirty, weak, crazy, stupid or unlikable. The individual fears that she may show extreme symptoms like blushing, trembling, sweating, stumbling or staring. They fear offending others for being rejected.
The symptoms disrupt regular functioning of the individual as they fear eating, drinking water, writing, shaking hands, urinating in public washrooms.
Apart from getting anxious when in a social situation, individuals may also fear a social situation that is scheduled for future. There may worry about the event for weeks. Individuals may try to avoid social situation. The avoidance can be seen as extensive (eg. Not going for the event) or subtle (eg. Overpreparing a speech). Individuals with social anxiety overestimate the negative consequences of social situations (eg. when dealing with bullies).
The symptoms must have a duration of 6 months and are seen to impair one’s daily and routinely activities.
Individuals with the disorder are seen to be inadequately assertive in a conversation; they may have rigid body postures, make inadequate eye contact or speak very softly. They may be shy, withdrawn and less open to conversations. Individuals would set their functioning and jobs and residence in such a way that would avoid social situations.