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Social Phobia and Anxiety
Our Approach
At the heart of almost all phobias is fear. Fears is an unpleasant emotion on its own, but fears that provoke anxiety create the feeling of potential danger, pain, threat or apprehension. A fear that induces anxiety is more commonly referred to by another name: phobia. There are many phobias that are very widely known, such as the fear of heights (Acrophobia), fear of confined spaces (claustrophobia), and several dozen other lesser known phobias.
Social phobia is the fear of being in public places or around others, and is characterized by social isolation, avoidance of groups or events, and an aversion to being around other people. Fortunately, there are many ways to overcome social phobia, and the first step is often meeting with a qualified mental health professional to evaluate you and develop a treatment plan.
What is Social Phobia?
Social phobia is a strong fear of being judged or looked down upon by others and of being in potentially embarrassing situations. This intense fear often causes individuals with social phobia or social anxiety to avoid social events or going into public altogether. This fear can often be so strong and debilitating that it interferes with a person’s work, school, family responsibilities or other common everyday activities.
Social phobia can cause anxiety when doing everyday things in front of other people; for example, a person might be afraid to eat or drink in front of other people, or they might be afraid of having a conversation with a stranger, such as a cashier.
It is normal to be nervous or anxious about things like meeting new people or speaking in public. People with social phobia, however, worry about these and other things for weeks before, and often for weeks after, they happen and can often find themselves in obsessive thought-loops.
Many of those afflicted with social phobias or social anxiety are fully aware that their fears are misplaced or not rational. They understand that they should not be as afraid as they are, but despite this knowledge, they still cannot control their fear on their own.
What are the signs of Social Phobia?
Signs and symptoms of social phobia include:
- Intense fear of talking with strangers
- Fear of symptoms that may cause embarrassment, such as trembling, sweating, a shaky voice or blushing
- Fear of situations that could cause someone to be judgmental
- Worrying about potential embarrassment or humiliation
- Fear that others will notice their anxiety
- Avoidance of activities or speaking to people
- Avoidance of situations where a lot of attention might be placed on the individual
- Anxiety in anticipation of a feared event
- Intense fear or anxiety in social situations
- Analyzing personal performance and looking for flaws in personal interactions after a social situation or event
- Expectation of the worst possible outcomes
What causes Social Phobia?
There are many causes of social phobia, but often social anxiety and phobias are caused by several influencing factors that allow a social phobia to develop and take root within a persons psyche. These include:
- Genetics
- Traumatic Social Experiences
- Parents’ Shortcoming
- Witnessing Traumatic Social Experiences of Other People
- Significant Negative Life Events
- Social Skills Deficit
- Cognitive Biases (or: unfavorable ways of thinking)
- Insecure Attachment Style
- Biological Vulnerabilities
- Cultural Influences
Who can I talk to about my Social Phobia?
If you have social phobia, you might find it hard to admit you need help, or to find someone to talk to that really understands your condition and what you are going through. At Stedfast Psychiatry, our kind and compassionate mental health professionals are here to help you overcome your anxieties and fears about social settings, be more comfortable when interacting with others, and helping you to change how you perceive the world around you.
If you are struggling with social phobia, come to Stedfast Psychiatry. We are dedicated to providing the highest level of service at each and every visit, no matter the situation. Call us today to book an appointment for social phobia treatment. Help is available. We encourage you to contact Stedfast Psychiatry and take the first step toward living your best life today.
We serve patients from Boynton Beach FL, Palm Beach Gardens FL, Jupiter FL, West Palm Beach FL, Lake Worth FL, Riviera Beach FL, Delray Beach FL, Lake Park FL, Boca Raton FL, and North Palm Beach FL.