Being nervous in some social situations can be normal, as it is sometimes a natural response when speaking in public, going on a date with someone, or undergoing similar situations. However, when everyday interactions cause a lot of anxiety, shame, insecurity, and intense fear of the opinions of others, the person may suffer from social phobia (social anxiety disorder).
In this article We will see how to recognize social phobia and what to do.
Social phobia affects us physically and mentally, with fear and anxiety being disabling for the person, since it affects them in different areas of their life (work, social, personal).
They talk about phobia when the intensity with which the person experiences fear is unjustified, disproportionate and reduces the capacity for action, causing the person’s emotional blockage.
Marta Garrido González, a psychologist specializing in Psychologists Málaga Psicoabreu, points out that people who suffer from social phobia are aware that their sensations are irrational but, despite this, they do everything possible to avoid facing the feared situation as a consequence of anticipatory anxiety. .
Thus, long before the person has to face the feared situation, they already begin to suffer from anxiety because can’t stop thinking about it
Anticipation can cause the subject to act inappropriately, entering a vicious circle, since it will cause greater fear for future situations. This fear has to significantly interfere in her life in order to establish this diagnosis.
Social anxiety disorder is different from shyness, since it shy people are able to participate in social situations (even if they are ashamed or nervous), and people who have social phobia are incapable, most of the time becoming isolated from the people around them.
Thus, the characteristics of shyness are the following:
Below we will see an example:
A student has to present a work she has done in front of all her classmates. This situation generates stress and nerves, since she is afraid that things will go wrong, that she will forget what she had to explain, etc. It is a rational and expected fear, since it is a situation that the person does not normally do, and has no practice (which causes more nervousness).
The characteristics of social phobia, on the other hand, are the following:
An example of social phobia could be the following:
In the previous case; Let’s imagine that the person maintains his negative thoughts for a longer time, leading him to lose self-confidence, have a feeling of failure and constant discomfort.
Fear is excessive and irrational and the person tends to avoid social interactions (anxious anticipation interferes with the individual’s normal functioning). The anxiety response of the persoba can lead to a panic attack, so that it avoids the feared situation or even blocks itself (not being able to develop the exposure).
Symptoms
People who suffer from social phobia show extreme anxiety in social situations. It is a persistent and chronic fear that causes symptoms on a physical, cognitive and behavioral level. This phobia can appear due to a certain situation or can arise in interaction with all those people you do not know
These are a common characteristic in people who suffer from social phobia. A high percentage of patients have palpitations, dizziness, fainting, heart attacks, tremors of hands, feet, or voice, dry mouth, stuttering, sweating of the hands and body, and flushing (distress and embarrassment). Suffering from very high levels of anxiety can lead patients to suffer panic attacks.
The psychologists of the Psicoabreu team affirm that the physical symptoms They are what lead people to go to consultations in search of psychological therapy
Cognitive symptoms
They are recurring thoughts that one will not be able to speak, of inferiority, shame, lack of concentration (forgetting what we wanted to say). Anticipation (imagining what is going to happen), self-critical thoughts (I look stupid, I’m making a fool of myself, etc.).
Emotional and behavioral symptoms
The most notable are loss of self-confidence social isolation, the inability to participate in social situations, and avoid feared situations.
Causes
People who suffer from social phobia feel irrational fear in situations in which they may be judged by others, so they avoid them. This anxiety disorder can begin in adolescence and usually affects men and women in the same proportion.
As with many mental disorders, social phobia arises from the interaction of biological and environmental factors.
Inheritance
Anxiety disorders are usually hereditary, at least in part (both genetic behaviors and acquired behaviors).
Brain structure
The amygdala nucleus may influence the fear response Thus, people who have this hyperactive core may suffer from an exaggerated fear response (which causes increased anxiety in social situations).
social phobia It may be an acquired behavior There may be a learning relationship between children who copy episodes of anxiety that their parents suffer from. Additionally, some people have anxiety after experiencing unpleasant and uncomfortable social situations.
Risk factor’s
Several factors can increase the risk of social anxiety disorder:
1. Family history
If your biological parents or siblings have social anxiety disorder you are more likely to have it
2. Negative experiences
Children who experience rejection, ridicule, or humiliation may be more likely to develop social anxiety disorder.
3. Character
Shy, introverted people When facing situations they may be at greater risk.
4. Have an appearance that attracts attention
For example, stuttering or facial disfigurement can increase shyness and cause social anxiety disorder in some people.
Types of social phobia
There are two types of this anxiety disorder.
Generalized social phobia
It is suffered by people who experience high levels of anxiety. in the vast majority of social situations and in interaction with people.
Specific social phobia
It develops when anxiety situations They only appear at certain times (fear of being watched while eating or drinking, speaking in public, writing in front of others,…)
Psychological treatment
The team of psychologists at the Psychologists Málaga PsicoAbreu psychology offices is specialized in the psychological treatment of social anxiety disorders and social phobia. Psychological therapy is aimed at that the patient loses fear of certain situations and recovers his social life
Cognitive behavioral therapy helps identify, understand and change the thoughts that cause the phobia. In some situations, pharmacological treatment (anxiolytics or antidepressants) is necessary to relieve anxiety symptoms along with psychological treatment.
