Individuals experiencing social phobia often face the worry that others will evaluate or criticize them negatively. This may lead them to avoid speaking in public, being in groups, eating, or meeting others. These fears can negatively impact a person’s quality of life and complicate personal and professional relationships. Social phobia usually begins in childhood or adolescence and can continue throughout life. Phobia can lower individuals’ self-esteem and lead to isolation. It can also cause physical symptoms, especially sweating, tremors, and heart palpitations.
What is social phobia?
Social phobia is a person’s excessive and irrational fear of social situations. People with social phobia fear being negatively evaluated or humiliated by others. This fear can significantly affect a person’s daily life. Symptoms of social phobia include:
- Fear and anxiety: The person becomes extremely fearful and anxious in social situations.
- Avoidance behavior: The person avoids social situations or shows avoidance behavior. For example, they avoid crowded places, avoid meeting new people, or avoid going to work or school.
- Physiological symptoms: A person may experience physiological symptoms such as heart palpitations, sweating, tremors, shortness of breath, nausea or dizziness due to fear and anxiety.
Although the causes of social phobia are not fully known, the following factors are thought to play a role:
- Genetic factors: Predisposition to social phobia may be inherited.
- Environmental factors: Social phobia may develop as a result of a traumatic experience. For example, if a child is teased at school, he or she is at higher risk of developing social phobia.
- Personality characteristics: A person’s personality characteristics may increase the risk of developing social phobia. For example, people who are perfectionists or hypersensitive have a higher risk of developing social phobia.
Who gets social phobia?
Social phobia is a psychological disorder that can be seen in people of all ages, genders and social classes. However, some groups may be more prone to social phobia. Some information about social phobia risk factors and who may be more common in them:
- Genetic predisposition: Family history may increase the risk of social phobia. Individuals who have a family history of this disorder may be more likely to have social phobia in other family members.
- Childhood and Adolescence: Social phobia usually begins in childhood or adolescence. These age groups may be prone to this disorder because they are exploring themselves and their social relationships more.
- Social Isolation: Individuals who lead an isolated lifestyle or have little social interaction may be at risk of social phobia. Social isolation may make a person more prone to this disorder.
- Traumatic Experiences: The likelihood of social phobia may increase in individuals who have experienced traumatic experiences such as sexual abuse, physical abuse or violence.
- Being Shamed in Childhood: The risk of social phobia may be increased in individuals who were repeatedly shamed or humiliated during childhood.
- Social Pressure: People who overreact to society’s social norms or pressures may be at increased risk of developing social phobia.
- Emotional Sensitivity: Individuals who are more emotionally sensitive or sensitive may be more prone to social phobia.
It is not the person’s fault to have social phobia. This disorder develops as a result of the interaction of many different factors. With treatment and support, individuals experiencing social phobia can manage their lives. Seeking professional help is important in relieving symptoms and improving quality of life.
How do I know if I have social phobia?
Social phobia is a psychological disorder that needs to be diagnosed by a specialist. However, if you think you are experiencing social phobia or are concerned about it, the following signs and behaviors may be guiding for you:
- Intense Anxiety and Fear: Feeling intense anxiety or fear in social interactions such as being in public or in front of others, giving a speech, or taking part in a group.
- Physical Symptoms: People with social phobia often experience physical symptoms such as sweating, tremors, facial flushing, nausea, and difficulty breathing.
- Avoidance Behaviors: Individuals experiencing social phobia tend to avoid situations or interactions they fear. For example, they may exhibit behaviors such as avoiding social activities and not being in society.
- Social Isolation: Social phobia can lead to social isolation. The person may experience a feeling of loneliness by avoiding social interactions.
- Negative Thoughts: Individuals experiencing social phobia often have negative thoughts that evaluate themselves negatively or believe that others will criticize them.
- Decrease in Functionality: Social phobia can negatively affect a person’s daily functioning. Work or school performance may decline due to decreased social interactions.
If the above symptoms sound familiar to you, it is important to consult a specialist psychologist or psychiatrist. A specialist can evaluate you, make an accurate diagnosis, and recommend appropriate treatment options. Social phobia is a treatable disorder, and early diagnosis and treatment is important to relieve symptoms and improve quality of life.