Clinical features – Social Phobias
The hallmark of social phobia is a marked and persistent fear of social situations, or of situations in which an individual is expected to perform in public, and fears embarrassment or humiliation.
People with this problem appreciate that their fear is excessive or unreasonable.
Such social situation are avoided or endured with dread. The diagnosis of this condition as a significant disorder requires that the symptoms of anxiety or avoidance of the situation interfere with the person’s daily routine, social life or functioning at work over a period of some months or more. The condition needs to be distinguished from the normal apprehension that people often feel in new or unfamiliar social situations, including the normal emotions that some adolescents encounter as their range of social contacts increases.
People with social phobia may be unable to speak in public. They may be unable to converse with strangers because they stumble over words, blush or tremble. Some people may be unable to carry out tasks such as writing in public because their hands tremble; they may be unable to eat or drink in front of others or may fear being sick in public. Some may experience panic attacks (see panic disorder), if they find themselves in an anxiety-provoking situation. Drinking alcohol can relieve symptoms of anxiety for people with these problems, and alcohol misuse may become a secondary problem for affected individuals.
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