A person suffering from a social anxiety disorder experiences a high level of anxiety manifested in social activities while facing crowds or performing on stage or in classes. The anxiety appears before, during, or after stressful situations. The individual is restricted and tries to avoid situations that provoke anxiety as much as possible. The person is consumed by the fear and thoughts of doing something embarrassing, inappropriate, awkward… They excessively keep track of their expressions, statements, and behaviors. People with Social Anxiety Disorder are excessively self-critical with lowered self-esteem.
In situations where there is a risk of being the center of attention or other provoking circumstances, anxiety manifests physically through:
- Blushing
- Tremors
- Nausea
- Sweating
- Epigastric discomfort
- Rapid heartbeat
- Dry mouth
- Dizziness
- The sensation of a lump in the throat
- Difficulty in breathing
The individual is aware that the fear and anxiety are baseless and irrational, but they are unable to reduce it.
Treatment:
- Pharmacotherapy
- Psychotherapy