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Social Anxiety Disorder Support Group Article
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Do You Have Social Phobia?
from: Conquer Anxiety and DepressionSocial phobia is another name for social anxiety disorder. Social phobia affects over 15 million Americans each year, making it the third largest psychological problem in the United States. As many people as there are affected by social phobia, it is still very misunderstood by mental health care professionals such as doctors, therapists and psychologists. Patients suffering from social phobia are misdiagnosed approximately 90% of the time. Often they are mistakenly labeled as manic-depressive, panic disordered, schizophrenic or clinically depressed.
Social phobia is not a disorder that is discussed a lot on television on in the media; so many sufferers don't realize just how common their problem is in the world. Rather, they feel there is something wrong with just them so they don't seek treatment. Without knowledge of social phobia and proper treatment, the condition can get worse over time. Another thing that makes social phobia so difficult is that it does not come and go as a symptom of some diseases, but it is with you every day of your life.
Some of the different circumstances that may bring on an attack of social phobia include being the center of attention; meeting new people, being watched or observed while you're doing something; looking someone in the eye, embarrassing easily, being criticized or teased. Most people that suffer from social phobia also experience physical symptoms like sweating, palpitating, blushing, dry throat and many more.
Cognitive-behavior therapy has been quite successful in the treatment for social phobia. Most people that suffer from social phobia realize that they have no valid reason to feel the way they do, but they still can't seem to help themselves. It's this acknowledgement of their condition with makes the therapy work better towards helping the patient recover and lead a normal life. Many health professionals will also prescribe medication such as antidepressants and anti-anxiety drugs, which are quite helpful when used with the cognitive-behavior therapy.
Many people think that social anxiety or social phobia is the same thing as a panic disorder, but they are quite different. Patients suffering from social phobia don't experience panic attacks. Most panic attacks come from the patience fear of having some disease or medical treatment. However, people with social phobia realize that they're experiencing fear and anxiety and they know what it is they are afraid of: being around other people. Unlike people with panic attacks, patients with social phobia do not go to the hospital when they suffer a attack.
Patients with social phobia often suffer from substance abuse, alcoholism, lack of personal relationships and inability to gain and keep employment. These are some of the reasons why it's so important to get treatment for your social phobia.
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