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By Diane Griffith, HealthAtoZ Writer
If you've ever been described as "painfully shy," you know that's no exaggeration. Extreme shyness can be agonizing. It keeps you from living a normal life, trying new things, making friends and having healthy self-esteem. This is a form of social anxiety disorder.
If any of the following apply to you, you may have social anxiety disorder. Do you:
- Cancel social events at the last minute?
- Fear new activities, even if you think you'd enjoy them?
- Spend excessive time on the computer or watching TV and avoid contact with others?
- Become easily embarrassed?
- Frequently feel depressed or lonely?
- Use alcohol or drugs to help you relax in social situations?
- Worry for days or weeks about an upcoming social event?
- Fear that others will judge you?
- Feel self-conscious in everyday situations?
- Have an extreme fear of embarrassing yourself?
- Go to great lengths to avoid social situations?
Some people feel extreme shyness in certain situations, but not in others. These situations may include:
- Public speaking
- Meeting new people, especially members of the opposite sex and authority figures
- Making phone calls
- Eating or drinking in front of others
About 5.2 million Americans have social anxiety disorder. Men and women are equally affected. It usually starts in the early teens. Common symptoms are a racing heart, blushing, sweating, dry mouth, trembling and twitching.
Some people with social anxiety have other conditions, too. They include:
- Depression
- Agoraphobia (fear of being in public places)
- Panic attacks
- Post-traumatic stress disorder
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder
- Substance abuse
Causes of social anxiety disorder
Many adults don't know they have social anxiety disorder. For this reason, they don't see it or have it treated in their own children. Others may have anxiety from an emotional trauma early in life. Studies suggest that social phobia runs in families. Another finding is that people with social anxiety appear to have an overactive amygdala. This is the part of the brain that controls the response to fear.
Treatment
Overcoming fear isn't easy. Therapy can help. One method is called thought-stopping. The purpose is to gradually change irrational fears. It involves stopping a negative thought as soon as you get it and exchanging it for a positive one. Along with therapy, antidepressants or anti-anxiety medications can be helpful. Relaxation exercises and support groups can also help.
Self-help tips:
- Picture yourself confronting your fears. Figure out what scares you and learn to respond differently.
- Change your attitude. Remind yourself that you are in control. Learn calming techniques.
- Practice. Place yourself in smaller, more manageable social situations.
- Tell people that you're nervous. This can help put you and others at ease.
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External Sources
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American Psychological Association
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Center for Healthy Aging/helpguide.org
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This article was reviewed and updated June 2007.
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