Social Phobia and Social Anxiety
Disorder
 Social phobia or social anxiety
disorder is the constant fear of being criticized or
evaluated by other people.
People who suffer from social phobia or social anxiety
disorder (SAD) are excessively self-conscious to the
point where they feel that everyone around them is looking at them
and judging them harshly.
They become nervous, anxious and afraid of the world around
them. For those with social phobia, everyday social situations like
parties can become highly intimidating ordeals.
The key to the social anxiety disorder problem is that people
with social anxiety want to be liked. They want very much to be
seen as witty, dynamic and sociable.
They want to fit in. However their anxiety about not performing
well in public is so strong that it tends to cripple their best
efforts.
They freeze when they meet new people, particularly if they want
these people to like them, for instance because they feel attracted
to them or because they look up to them.
People suffering from social phobia are afraid that
their anxiety
will be noticeable and this fear causes the anxiety to grow and
turn into a vicious cycle.
Social anxiety/social phobia usually develops early and
without adequate treatment can be a chronic, unrelenting torturous
condition. However, with suitable care, it is possible to overcome
social phobia altogether.
Anxiety Attacks Versus Panic
Attacks
There are some differences between anxiety and panic attacks.
While books are written on this topic, this lesson will attempt to
summarize some basics here for a brief overview.
Anxiety Attacks
An anxiety attack, sometimes referred to as a panic attack, is
an unforeseen periods or incidents where there is a sudden fright
or fear of intense proportions.
These attacks focus on fears that are most often not rational;
however the person with the disorder believes he or she is in
terrible danger or at extreme risk.
Most often these anxiety attacks occur all of a sudden; i.e.
they are not planned nor do they come with any type of warning
mechanism built in for advance action.
Results are that the person suffering the attack will feel about
to faint or near death’s
door.
People who suffer anxiety attacks report the following symptoms,
listed in no particular order:
- Discomfort or pain in the chest
- Vertigo or Dizziness
- Upset stomach / Nausea
- Loss of Control, Loss of Mental Stability Stress
- Cold or hot flashes
- Heart palpitations or near heart attack
- Shallow breathing
- Shakes / Trembling
Anxiety disorder is characterized as having anxiety feelings
that are “always there / all inclusive,” make people want to
isolate themselves from society and hamper everyday activities with
others.
Want
to boot your fears and anxiety into touch?
For a complete guide chock-full of helpful information
to keep at your fingertips, print out for your gym bags, glove box,
briefcase, and anywhere….grab your copy of: The
“Curing Your Anxiety and Panic Attacks” Guide
Panic Attacks
On the other hand, a panic attack does not carry with it that
“always there” association like an anxiety attack might.
In fact, panic episodes generally burst forth, peaking after
roughly10 minutes or so, then ending after about 25
minutes.
During a panic attack, 4 of the symptoms listed below (in no
particular order) generally make an appearance:
Shallow breathing, even to the point of suffocation
sensation...
Increased heart rates
Tightness of chest
Shakes / Trembling / Sweating
Choking sensation
Upset Stomach / Nausea
Vertigo maybe be asociated with fear of flying Surreal
feelings
Loss of Control, especially of mental faculties
Death coming on
Numbing
Cold or hot flashes
The Difference between anxiety
and panic
The main difference between anxiety attacks and panic attacks is
in the duration of the attack and how intense it is for the person
with the affliction.
While anxiety attacks are less hi-stress, they tend to last
longer than the power-packed panic stressors. Of course there is
much more written on both disorders to help people learn how to
deal with them in depth.
Want
to boot your social phobia and anxiety into
touch?
For a complete guide chock-full of helpful information
to keep at your fingertips, print out for your gym bags, glove box,
briefcase, and anywhere….grab your copy of: The
self help book and curing anxiety guide
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