A social phobia is a fear of humiliating oneself when interacting with others in a social setting. In many people, the social phobia is limited to one or more specific social situations, such as public speaking. Others experience a generalized social phobia, in which many diverse social situations trigger the phobic response.
Whether the social phobia is specific or generalized, the symptoms are similar. Symptoms of social phobia generally include:
- Dread: Intense psychological feelings of terror, dread,
or panic both before and during the feared situation.
- Self-Judgment: Hyperawareness of physical sensations and
actions during the event; dwelling afterwards on thoughts of
awkwardness or embarrassment.
- Panic Symptoms: Physical symptoms that may mirror a panic attack, such as sweating, gastrointestinal distress, and palpitations. Intense blushing is also common.
Keep in mind that the symptoms of social phobia are quite similar to those of other disorders such as panic disorder, as well as certain physical conditions. Your health care provider can determine the cause of your symptoms and decide upon appropriate treatment.
Source:American Psychiatric Association. (1994). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (4th Ed.). Washington, DC: Author.
Symptoms of Phobias
