For others, these seemingly harmless occasions can result in a tremendous amount of anxiety. They may experience symptoms such as, blushing, sweating, a racing heartbeat, difficulty talking, or nausea and vomiting. People with social phobia may have trouble speaking in public, eating at restaurants, or urinating in public bathrooms. People with the performance anxiety fear situations like public speaking, acting, eating in front of others, or using public restrooms. The more generalized type is characterized by anxiety or stress in most social situations.
Sufferers often worry about social humiliation or embarrassment.
Social phobia is two times more likely to occur in women than in men. It usually begins in childhood or adolescence, and hardly ever develops after the age of 25. People with social phobia may recognize that their fear is excessive or unreasonable, but have difficulty conquering it. The treatment for social phobia varies for the different types. The Feeling Good Handbook by David D. Burns, M.D., 1990.