Social phobia is an anxiety disorder in which a person has significant anxiety and discomfort related to a fear of being embarrassed, humiliated or scorned by others in social or performance situations. Although this disorder is often thought of as shyness, the two are not the same. In contrast, people with social phobia are not necessarily shy at all, but can be completely at ease with some people most of the time. Most people experiencing social phobia will try to avoid situations that provoke dread or otherwise cause them much distress.
Social phobia disrupts normal life, interfering with career or social relationships.
It often runs in families and may be accompanied by depression or alcoholism. Social phobia often begins around early adolescence or even younger . People who suffer from social phobia often find relief from their symptoms when treated with cognitive-behavioral therapy, or medications, or a combination of the two. This information is not intended to be a substitute for individual medical advice in diagnosing or treating a health problem. Please consult with your health care provider about your health care concerns.