Social Phobia

Social phobia, also called social anxiety disorder, is a disorder characterized by overwhelming anxiety and excessive self-consciousness in everyday social situations. People with social phobia have a persistent, intense, and chronic fear of being watched and judged by others and of being embarrassed or humiliated by their own actions. Their fear may be so severe that it interferes with work or school - and other ordinary activities. Social phobia sufferers often worry for days or weeks in advance of a dreaded situation.

Summary:

• How common is Social Phobia?
• What causes Social Phobia?
• What treatments are available for Social Phobia?

Social Phobia can be limited to only one type of situation - such as a fear of speaking in formal or informal situations, or eating or drinking in front of others - or, in its most severe form, may be so broad that a person experiences symptoms almost anytime they are around other people.

Physical symptoms often accompany Social Phobia include blushing, profuse sweating, trembling, and other symptoms of anxiety, including difficulty talking and nausea or other stomach discomfort. These visible symptoms heighten the fear of disapproval and the symptoms themselves can become an additional focus of fear. Fear of symptoms can create a vicious cycle: as people with Social Phobia worry about experiencing the symptoms, the greater their chances of developing the symptoms.

How common is Social Phobia

• About 3.7% of the U.S. population ages 18 to 54 - approximately 5.3 million Americans - has Social Phobia in any given year
• Social Phobia occurs in women twice as often as in men, although a higher proportion of men seeks help for this disorder
• The disorder typically begins in childhood or early adolescence and rarely develops after age 25

What causes Social Phobia?

A small structure in the brain called the amygdala is responsible for the symptoms of Social Phobia. The amygdala is the central site in the brain that controls fear responses and produces the symptoms of anxiety disorders such as social phobia.

Investigation shows the environment's influence on the development of social phobia. People with Social Phobia may acquire their fear from observing the behavior and consequences of others, a process called observational learning or social modeling.

What treatments are available for Social Phobia?

To eliminate social phobia, the cause of the phobia must be addressed directly. The Amygdala does not respond to medication or psychotherapy, a more direct approach is required. The Linden Method addresses the root cause of social phobia and is simple to implement, permanent and guaranteed!

Charles Linden
Author of The Linden Method^® and
CEO of The Linden Centers