Social anxiety

[Blue]

Social anxiety is an experience of fear, apprehension or worry regarding social situations and being evaluated by others. People vary in how often they experience anxiety in this way or in which kinds of situations. Anxiety about public speaking, performance, or interviews is common. Social anxiety can be related to shyness. The experience is commonly described as having physiological components (e.g. sweating, blushing), cognitive/perceptual components (e.g. belief that one may be judged negatively; looking for signs of disapproval) and behavioral components (e.g. avoiding a situation).
The remainder of this article concerns the diagnosis of social anxiety disorder (social phobia) rather than social anxiety in general.
Social anxiety disorder, also known as social phobia, is a diagnosis within psychiatry and other mental health professions referring to excessive long-lasting social anxiety causing relatively extreme distress and impaired ability to function in at least some areas of daily life. The diagnosis can be of a 'specific' disorder (when only some particular situations are feared) or a generalized disorder. Generalised social anxiety disorder typically involves a persistent, intense, and chronic fear of being judged by others and of potentially being embarrassed or humiliated by their own actions. These fears can be triggered by perceived or actual scrutiny by others. While the fear of social interaction may be recognised by the person as excessive or unreasonable, considerable difficulty can be encountered overcoming it. Approximately 13.3% of the general population may meet criteria for social anxiety disorder at some point in their lifetime, according to the highest survey estimate, with the male to female ratio being 1:1.5 respectively.
Physical symptoms often accompanying social anxiety disorder include excessive blushing, sweating (hyperhidrosis), trembling, palpitations, nausea, and stammering. Panic attacks may also occur under intense fear and discomfort. An early diagnosis may help in minimizing the symptoms and the development of additional problems such as depression. Some sufferers may use alcohol or other drugs to reduce fears and inhibitions at social events.

More Info & Souce:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Social_phobia

[CrazyDog]

I have never been formally dx'd with social anixiety, but I think it's always present. I have a very difficult time at places (e.g. stores) where large groups of people gather. Walmart is particularly bad when it is busy.

[vally136]

Hi, In my life things have happened that I do not feel like people don't want to be around me. When I got married I thought that my husband family liked me they did not I liked them.. a major let down that first christmas we went to his parents house and made all the others a nice quilt stupid me went and ask her she says because I did not make you one. when all the "girls"got together and went places guess what did not ask me if I wanted to go. But for some reason just had to tell me about it.. If it had not been for my children, coming from a broken (my mother left me and my sister when we were 5 and 6 years old)home I myself I would have left. ok get this I got throwed of my horse and hurt my back couldn't breath she would not take me to the hospital I had to were a back brace for 6 months. and I drove myself to the hospital.I am the type of person that I help people when I can. Well I might have been poor white trash, but no one is poor by choice, I just wished it would have been different the last 32 years would have a nitemare..its hell to live around people and and not feel your welcome like your nothing. Well my granny would say "if wishes were horses we all could ride" Oh and let you this than I will let you go, our washing mechine tore up and I went to town and found my husbands mother and sister-in law and ask her if i could wash a load of the kids school clothes guess what both their washers were tore up and she told me I could go to lthe laundry mat, I told her if i had the money I would have .my gosh these were her grandkids for petes sake,I ain't stubid I no their washers were not tore up , I went home and washed some out by hand. I would help people when they need it .. I just wished it would have been the other way.. thax for reading this

[stresscrusher]

The root cause of social anxiety is lack of self confidence and self-esteem. I have been there at one point in life, but once I learned about ths , it really helped me on my road to recovery. I remember those days when I used to shut myself up in my room when my parents had guests at home - that was about 20 years ago. Today, I speak publicly every now and them to various audiences and my social anxiety is a distant memory.
It was important for me to realize that even I had some unique qualities that people did not have and I leveraged thsoe qualities to differentiate myself from the crowd. Soon I saw that people were paying attention to me. I also opened my mind to accept that others were good at things that I was not.
So it does not matter who you are, what your convictions are and what your status in life is. Social anxiety is a self-limiting inhibition in your own mind. Find your inner strengths and build upon it. You'll take care of your own problem.
I talk to young teenagers every now and then and it appals me how low they think about themselves. I tell them not to dwell in the past - that is not important. The future is what we need to look forward to and visualize where we fit in that future.

Here's an article that might be interesting.
http://ezinearticles.com/?Overcoming...t-1&id=1124607

[Blue]

Very interest article, cheers!

[Carmichael]

Hi,

I had very bad social anxiety for 12 years and was unable to get effective help. It was miserable and so demoralizing. It took a big, huge chunk out of my life.

What some of the folks have said here about self esteem is right on the money. It is very much a self-esteem issue.

To look at the reverse of that-- self acceptance (even, dare I say it, self love) is the antidote.

Also dealing with the control issues and perfectionism (people with SA are perfectionistic and unforgiving of themselves) (and overly self-controlling, and some are also 'other-controlling' [not all with SA are 'other controllers', but some are]) .

Anyway, I am mostly over my social anxiety now. **It is mostly gone (which is a miracle). I went to Social Anxiety Anonymous (they are a nonprofit), and they helped me a great deal. They have (completely free) telephone and local support groups that that provide lots of good help in overcoming social anxiety difficulties.

[Timothy]

I was diagnosed with Social Anxiety Disorder last year although I do not think it is a 100% correct diagnosis, but I did suffer from severe anxiety. This was not because i was afraid of being judged, it was because i was afraid of being attacked. As a child i had some very violent experiences where i was hurt and had no control over stopping it. This has lead to my anxiety, although i do care a lot about what people think about me. I really am not sure if this actually falls under Social Anxiety Disorder. Anyways, it got quite bad after i was threatened in a park by 2 seventeen year olds, one bearing an axe and threatening to kill me, i was 16 at the time. This really pushed me over the edge, but also pushed me to seek help at the same time. This really taught me a lesson, never be afraid to seek help!

[DAVE]

Social anxiety is the fear of social situations and the interaction with other people that can automatically bring on feelings of self-consciousness, judgment, evaluation, and inferiority.

[Torrie]

Well Social anxiety is very common in these days and It is increasing day by day which is effected human mind and health too . I think we should need to have some awareness about it and I have found this forum really informative about Social anxiety .

[Beresford]

Inferiority is also considered a type of social anxiety and due the status quo people are divided into several sects. Other people with not enough financial means feel desperation and ultimately fell pray to anxiety.

[Beresford]

Inferiority is also considered a type of social anxiety and due the status quo people are divided into several sects. Other people with not enough financial means feel desperation and ultimately fell pray to anxiety.

Thanks for sharing useful information.

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[Youtikkia]

How dangerous is this social anxiety... And what are it's disadvantages?

[octarinemage]

When you think others are observing you, you are actually only observing yourself from your own standpoint. If you don't believe that statement, investigate for yourself and ask them. You might then realize how silly both activities really are.