Deal with Fear of people or social situations (Social phobia)

Social phobia is widespread among populace at global level. It is disabling and often persistent disorder which impact adversely on health of person. Social phobia is elaborated as an intense fear of being judged by others and of being ashamed. This fear can be so penetrating that it gets in the way of going to work or school or doing other everyday things. According to academic literature, social phobia is the clinically significant fear of being exposed to unfamiliar people or to possible scrutiny by others that will be humiliating.

It is observed in social structure that majority of us has felt anxious or self-conscious at one time or another. I n social situation like meeting new people or delivering a public speech, some people feel nervous. But people who gripped with social phobia concern about these and other things for weeks before they occur.

According to psychological studies, social phobia can be restricted to only one type of situation for instance a fear of speaking in formal or informal situations, or eating or drinking in front of others or, in its most severe form, a person experiences symptoms whenever they are around other people. If these mental state are not attended properly by medical practitioners, social phobia can have severe magnitudes.

Social phobia normally begins during childhood. A doctor can explain that a person has social phobia if he/she exhibits symptoms for at least 6 months. If treatment is not given, social phobia can last for many years or a lifetime.

Symptoms of social phobia:

People with social phobia have following symptoms:

1.     Be very anxious about being with other people and have a hard time talking to them, even though they wish they could

2.     Be very self-conscious in front of other people and feel ashamed

3.     Be very scared that other people will judge them

4.     Concern for days or weeks before an event where other people will be

5.     Stay away from places where there are other people

6.     Have a hard time making friends and keeping friends

7.     Blush, sweat, or shiver around other people

8.     Feel nauseous or sick to their stomach when with other people. 

Causes of social phobia:

There are many valid causes of developing social phobia. Social phobia may happen due to hereditary factor. It may runs in families. Many scholars have found that several parts of the brain are responsible for triggering fear and anxiety. Other researchers stated that misunderstanding of others’ behaviour may play a vital role to generate social phobia. Another major cause of social phobia is feeble social skills. People may discourage when they cannot strongly put their words in front of others.

Treatment of social phobia:

Social phobia is usually cured with psychotherapy, medication, or both.

Psychotherapy: psychotherapy named as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is highly beneficial to treat social phobia. It teaches a person different ways of thinking, behaving, and reacting to situations that help him or her feel less anxious and fearful. It can also help people learn and practice social skills.

Medication: It is another effectual way to get rid from social phobia. Mental health consultant sometimes advice medication to help treat social phobia. The most commonly recommended medications for social phobia are anti- anxiety medications and antidepressants. Anti-anxiety medications are dominant and there are different types.

Antidepressants are also prescribed for the treatment of social phobia. Antidepressants may take several weeks to start working. These medicines have some side effects such as headache, nausea, or difficulty sleeping. These side effects are usually not problematic for most people, especially if the dose starts off low and is increased slowly over time.

In final note, it is perceived that social phobia is an anxiety disorder pigeon-holed by irresistible anxiety and extreme self-consciousness in normal social situations. People with social phobia have a persistent, intense, and chronic fear of being observed and judged by others and of being embarrassed or humiliated by their own actions. Their fear may be so severe that it inhibits with work, school, or other normal activities. Social phobia is acknowledged as a treatable devastating psychiatric condition that often remains unnoticed and untreated. Best treatment prescribed by doctors is cognitive behaviour therapy which improves week social skill and person may able to learn behaviour and successfully cope up with fear in social situation.