Generalised social phobia

Social phobia, also called social anxiety disorder, is the fear that one will be criticised or judged negatively in certain social situations. The sufferer feels a great deal of anxiety, humiliation, embarrassment or even panic in social settings. Two types of social phobia are identified, namely specific and generalised social phobia. The most common specific social phobia is the fear of speaking in public. Individuals with generalised social phobia are anxious in almost all interpersonal situations. If the individual is going to be judged or graded on his or her performance in a public situation, the fear is greatly increased.

Symptoms

Generalised social phobia manifests in psychological and physical symptoms.

Psychological symptoms of social phobia

• • Intense worry for days, weeks or even months before an upcoming social situation

• • Extreme fear of being watched or judged by others, especially by people you don’t know

• • Excessive self-consciousness and anxiety in everyday social situations

• • Fear that you’ll act in ways that that will embarrass or humiliate you

• • Fear that others will notice that you’re nervous

• • Avoidance of social situations to a degree that limits your activities or disrupts your life.

Physical symptoms of social phobia

The following are typical symptoms of social phobia:

• • Pounding heart

• • Shaky voice

• • Rapid breathing

• • Sweating or hot flashes

• • Upset stomach or nausea

• • Dry mouth

• • Blushing

• • Dizziness, feeling faint

• • Clammy hands

• • Trembling or shaking

• • Muscle tension

• • Twitching

Treatment

Getting over social phobia is not an easy task but many sufferers have found relief through psychotherapy, medication or both. Research has shown cognitive behaviour therapy, both individually and in a group, to be effective in treating social phobia.

The most important elements in conquering social phobia are:

• • An understanding and awareness of the problem

• • A commitment to carry through with cognitive behavioural therapy even when it seems difficult

• • Practice, practice, practice to get that information deep down into your brain so that it becomes automatic

• • Participation in a social anxiety therapy group in which you can slowly and gradually work on problems that cause you anxiety in the real world. Role-plays, acting, taping and videoing situations, question and answer periods and mock job interviews, and doing foolish things deliberately, can all be part of the activities.

Our Employee Wellbeing Programme (EAP) is available 24 hours a day if you want to know more about generalised social phobia.