Social Anxiety Disorder, also called Social Phobia, is debilitating anxiety that reaches a point where it interferes with daily life and actively prevents a person from doing normal day-to-day things, like taking the bus, speaking when called on in class, or talking to their boss. This anxiety disorder will keep a person home from work, they will avoid going out, and will work actively to minimize any social contact they have.
Although the causes are not clear, the experience is generally similar for most people with this disorder. They are extremely fearful of standing out and being judged. They have a negative view of themselves, are certain they will be viewed negatively and receive some type of punishment for it. They feel like they are on the spot, or on display at all times, and people are always watching them and judging them. From all this they will actively avoid social situations as much as possible.
What the anxiety feels like and how they respond to it similar to other anxiety disorders, but there are some symptoms specific to this particular disorder. The signs and symptoms of social anxiety can include:
- Blushing, sweating, or trembling
- Rapid heart rate
- Mind goes blank, leaving you unable to respond to others
- Feel nauseous or sick to the stomach
- Rigid body posture
- Make little eye contact
- Speak with an overly soft voice
- Find it scary and difficult to be with other people, especially those they don’t already know, and have a hard time talking to them even though they wish they could
- Very self-conscious in front of other people and feel embarrassed and awkward
- Very afraid that other people will judge them
- Stay away from places where there are other people
- Anxious or fearful when thinking of, or discussing, social situations
- Desire to stay as “invisible” as possible in social situations
It’s easy to see there are some more standard signs of anxiety in there, like worry, stomach reactions, rapid heartbeat, but there are also more specific responses like the meekness, the desire to become invisible in social situations, and always feeling in the spotlight. This is a painful experience over and above simple shyness.
This illness limits some of the basic human needs, hindering work, and cutting a person off from friends and family. It is painful, but it can be treated. Reaching out for help is the first step, and as with the other anxiety disorders, the sooner treated, the better the prognosis. Social anxiety disorder can be effectively treated by mental health professionals such as a therapist, psychiatrist, or online counselor.
An online counselor maybe the best solution for a person suffering with social anxiety. Online therapy programs allow a person to communicate with a professional from the comfort of home, without the need to travel, or deal with a busy office.