What is Generalized Social Anxiety or Social Phobia?
Generalized social anxiety, more commonly referred to as social anxiety disorder or social phobia is when an individual experiences intense social anxieties when faced with interacting in social situations, especially situations that are unfamiliar or in which you feel you'll be judged or evaluated by others.
Just about everyone experiences social anxieties, such as when called upon to give a speech or when interviewing for a new job. But generalized social anxiety, or social phobia, is more than simple shyness or the occasional case of the jitters.
With a generalized Social Anxiety Disorder, the fear of embarrassment is so great, the social anxieties so intense, that the person goes to great lengths to avoid situations that would trigger these feelings of anxiety. But no matter how shy you may be, you can begin to learn to become more comfortable with your generalized social anxiety in social situations and begin to get your life back.
Some Common Social Phobia / Generalized Social Anxiety Triggers
Sometimes it may seem as though you are the only one suffering from social anxieties problems, but generalized social anxiety and social phobia are actually very common. Many individuals struggle with social anxieties than ever before. However, the situations that trigger these generalized social anxiety feelings are unique for each person. Some people will feel social anxieties mostly in performance situations, a condition known as Generalized Social Anxiety Disorder. For other individuals with social phobia, the anxiety they feel is specific to certain social situations, such as eating at restaurants, speaking to strangers, or going to parties. The most commonly experienced social phobia is the fear of public speaking or performing in front of a live audience.
Triggers for Social Anxiety Disorder:
Being watched while doing something
Performing on stage
Meeting new people
Talking with “important” people or authority figures Public speaking
Being the center of attention
Being teased or criticized
Making small talk Being called on in class
Going on a date
Making phone calls
Using public bathrooms
Taking exams
Eating or drinking in public
Speaking up in a meeting
Attending parties or other social gatherings
Signs and symptoms of Generalized Social Anxiety Disorder / social phobia
If you become nervous in social situations now and again, it doesn't mean you have a social anxiety disorder or social phobia. There are many individuals who are shy or tend to be self-conscious -- at one time or another -- yet these social anxieties do not get in the way of their everyday functioning within their lives. Social anxiety disorder, however, does interfere with one's normal daily routine and cause a great deal of emotional distress in the individual. An example of this is when giving a public speech. It's totally expected that a person would get nervous prior to giving a speech. But if the person has social anxiety or social phobia, they may be worrying for weeks ahead of time, even calling in sick to escape having to do the speech, or start shaking or sweating so bad during the speech that they can hardly utter any words.
Emotional Conditions of generalized social anxiety disorder / social phobia
Strong fear of being watched or judge by others, especially people who you don't know
Fear of embarrassment or humiliation
Anxiety over feeling others will notice that your nervous
Excessive self-consciousness and anxiety in everyday social situations
Worrying intensely for day, weeks or months prior to an upcoming social event or situation
Physical symptoms of generalized social anxiety disorder / social Phobia
Shortness of breath
Upset stomach, nausea, etc..
Blushing, or red face
Shaking or trembling (having a shaky voice)
Feeling dizzy or faint
Sweating or hot flashes
Racing heart or feeling tightness in the chest
Behavioral aspects of generalized social anxiety / social phobia
Staying quiet or hiding in the background in order to not be noticed and prevent yourself from feeling embarrassed.
A desire to always want to bring along a friend with you when you go places
Drinking before social situations in order to calm your nerves
Avoiding social situations to the extent it limits your activities and disrupts your life
Social anxiety disorder in children / social phobia in children
A child who is shy is not an unusual situation. But children with social anxiety or social phobia feel extreme social anxieties stress over simple daily activities such as reading in class, playing with other children, speaking to adults, taking a test, or performing in front of others.
Some basic ways to manage generalized social anxiety / social phobias:
Challenge negative thoughts: Imagining negative thing happening or making catastrophic predictions for yourself of failure produce social anxieties symptoms. Learn to control your breath: Simple breathing techniques can help you to relax, stay calm and focused and calm anxiety.
Face your fears: Start with the least fearful event and work your way up the ladder of situations or actions that create a sense of social anxieties and dread in you. Perform the activity to begin a process of desensitizing yourself to the anxiety you feel in that situation. Build Better Relationships: Actively seeking out and joining supportive social environments is another effective way of tackling and overcoming social anxiety disorder or social phobia. You could take a community education class or volunteer someplace. Change your lifestyle: Diet and exercise can significantly reduce symptoms of social anxieties.
When Self-Help isn't enough: Treatment for Generalized social anxiety and social phobia
The best treatment options for social anxiety and social phobia is variable from individual to individual. Many people find basic self-help strategies are enough to manage their social anxieties, but if you've tried these techniques and you're still having difficulty with disabling anxiety, you may need some professional help.
Probably the most useful therapy treatment for social anxiety and social phobia is Cognitive-behavioral therapy. This treatment has been shown to be the most effective treatment, and involves ways to challenge the negative beliefs and thoughts you hold about certain situations. Group therapy for social anxiety and social phobia includes role-playing and social skills training. Sometimes medication is used, such as beta-blockers or benzodiazopines, to help people manage their anxiety symptoms.