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Social Anxiety Disorder is also known as social phobia. People with it have
significant and persistent anxiety in social situations, including performance
situations such as public speaking. The person can feel highly self-conscious as
if, "… a spotlight is on me." The main fear is being embarrassed or criticized.
When in public, they can believe that other people are laughing at and
talking about them. They recognize that their fears are excessive or
unreasonable, but when they are exposed to social situations, this realization
does not prevent high anxiety. Many fear that others will see their anxiety
symptoms (i.e., trembling, sweating, or blushing); or notice their stumbling
over words; or judge them to be weak, stupid, or "weird.” Their high anxiety
causes them to worry that they might faint, lose control of bladder or bowel
function, or have their minds go blank.
Social phobia typically begins in childhood or adolescence and is associated
with shyness. A public humiliation or severe embarrassment can intensify the
condition. Without treatment, the condition tends to persist and usually
fluctuates in relation to vocational demands and the steadiness of social
relationships.
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