Mental Health: What Are Social Phobias And Specific Phobias?

nSocial phobia, also called social anxiety disorder, is characterized by overwhelming anxiousness and excessive self-consciousness in everyday social situations. Common symptoms are:nn• Intense, persistent, and chronic fear of being watched and judged by othersn• And of doing things that will embarrass themnnA person with social phobia can worry for weeks before the dreaded situation. The worry can become so severe that it interferes with work, school, and other ordinary activities. This worry also makes it difficult to make and keep friends.nnMany people realize their fears are excessive or unreasonable, but are still unable to overcome them. For those who confront their friends and socialize with others, they usually are very anxious before, uncomfortable throughout the encounter and worry for long periods of time afterward.nnLimited social phobia is:nn• Limited to one situation such as talking to people, eating or drinking with peoplennGeneralized social phobia is:nn• The person experiences anxiety around almost anyone other than family membersnnWhat are the physical symptoms that accompany the disorder?nn• Blushingn• Profuse sweatingn• Tremblingn• Nausean• Difficulty talkingnnHow many adults are affected?nn• About 15 million American adultsnnWho is most likely affected?nn• Women and men are equally likely to develop the disorder that usually begins in childhood or early adolescencennDoes genetics play a part in social phobia?nn• There is some evidence that genetic factors are involvednnAre there any other illnesses present?nn• It is often accompanied by other anxiety disorders or depressionn• Substance abuse may develop if people try to self-medicate their anxietynnWhat is the treatment for this disorder?nn• It can be successfully treated with certain kinds of psychotherapy or medicationsnnSpecific PhobiasnnAn intense fear of something that poses little or no actual danger is called a specific phobia. Common specific phobias centered on closed-in places include:nn• Afraid of heightsn• Fear of escalators or elevatorsn• Fear of tunnelsn• Fear of highway drivingn• Fear of watern• Fear of flyingn• Fear of dogsn• Fear of injuries involving bloodnnThese types of phobias are not just extreme fear. They are irrational fear of a particular thing. Some people with these types of phobias may be able to ski on very high mountains, but unable to go above the 2nd floor of an office building.nnMost adults with phobias realize the fears are unrealistic, but still have problems facing, or even thinking about facing, the feared object or situation that brings about a panic attack or severe anxiety.nnHow many adults are affected with specific phobias?nn• Approximately 19.2 million American adultsnnWho is more likely to acquire phobias?nn• They are twice as common in women as men and usually appear in childhood or adolescence and persist into adulthood.nnWhat causes phobias?nn• The cause is not well understoodn• There is evidence that the tendency to develop phobias may run in familiesnnWhat is the treatment?nn• Usually targeted psychotherapynnSource: National Institute of Mental HealthnnDisclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. The information in this article is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. All health concerns should be addressed by a qualified health care professionalnnnThis article is FREE to publish with the resource box.nn© 2007 Connie Limon All Rights Reservednn