Specific phobias involve a fear of an object or situation, such as small animals, snakes, closed-in spaces, or flying in an airplane. Social phobia is the fear of being humiliated in a social setting, such as meeting new people, giving a speech, or talking to the boss. Most people experience these fears with mild to moderate intensity, and the fear passes. For people with social phobia, however, the fear is extremely intrusive and can disrupt normal life, interfering with work or social relationships in varying degrees of severity. Approximately 4 to 5 percent of the U.S. population has one or more clinically significant phobias in a given year.
Specific phobias occur in people of all ages.
The average age of onset for social phobia is between 15 and 20 years, although it can often begin in childhood. Traumatic events often trigger the development of specific phobias, which are slightly more prevalent in women than men. Research shows that social phobia may have a hereditary component and occurs in women and men in equal proportions. However, men may seek treatment for social phobia more frequently than women. Social phobia can be effectively treated with medications including MAOIs, SSRIs, and high potency benzodiazepines.