Summary: Living With Social Anxiety
Living With Social Anxiety Disorder
Living with Social Anxiety Disorder
Social anxiety disorder, also called social phobia or SAD, is one of the most common psychiatric disorders. (Schneier, 2006) It is an anxiety disorder in which a person has an excessive and unreasonable fear of social situations. Anxiety (intense nervousness) and self-consciousness arise from a fear of being closely watched, judged, and criticized by others. A person with social anxiety disorder is afraid that he or she will make mistakes, look bad, and be embarrassed or humiliated in front of others. (The Journal of the American Medical Association [JAMA], 1998) The fear may be made worse by a lack of social skills or experience in social …show more content…
One kind, called discrete performance anxiety, reflects fear of specific situations—such as speaking or acting—in which the individual must perform before an audience. This kind of social phobia is manageable in that the individual can lead a relatively normal social life by simply avoiding such situations. However, a performance-oriented social phobia can limit career options or professional growth. The second type of social phobia, generalized social anxiety, may impose more serious limitations by causing individuals to avoid all kinds of social situations in both professional and personal activities. Individuals with this phobia have difficulty making new acquaintances, interacting with peers and supervisors on the job, enjoying recreational pursuits with others, attending social functions, and so forth. (Ettinger, …show more content…
People with SAD can have a sporadic work history or have trouble finding a job. They may take jobs where they can avoid interacting with co-workers or customers. They may not accept jobs where performance evaluations are completed on a regular basis or where they would be required to attend meetings. With the limitations placed on them because of Social Anxiety Disorder, sufferers often are underachievers, accepting positions below their level of ability or education in order to avoid social situations in the workplace. Social Anxiety Disorder contributes to poor functioning and missed work. (Schneier, 2006) Just going to the store can be a difficult experience. With SAD, people constantly worry that other people are looking at them and judging them. They might avoid picking up objects at the store if they believe someone will be watching them. They may be embarrassed holding certain items and not pick them up. Some people with SAD may shop late at night, when the store has less people. (WebMD,
Living with Social Anxiety Disorder
Social anxiety disorder, also called social phobia or SAD, is one of the most common psychiatric disorders. (Schneier, 2006) It is an anxiety disorder in which a person has an excessive and unreasonable fear of social situations. Anxiety (intense nervousness) and self-consciousness arise from a fear of being closely watched, judged, and criticized by others. A person with social anxiety disorder is afraid that he or she will make mistakes, look bad, and be embarrassed or humiliated in front of others. (The Journal of the American Medical Association [JAMA], 1998) The fear may be made worse by a lack of social skills or experience in social …show more content…
One kind, called discrete performance anxiety, reflects fear of specific situations—such as speaking or acting—in which the individual must perform before an audience. This kind of social phobia is manageable in that the individual can lead a relatively normal social life by simply avoiding such situations. However, a performance-oriented social phobia can limit career options or professional growth. The second type of social phobia, generalized social anxiety, may impose more serious limitations by causing individuals to avoid all kinds of social situations in both professional and personal activities. Individuals with this phobia have difficulty making new acquaintances, interacting with peers and supervisors on the job, enjoying recreational pursuits with others, attending social functions, and so forth. (Ettinger, …show more content…
People with SAD can have a sporadic work history or have trouble finding a job. They may take jobs where they can avoid interacting with co-workers or customers. They may not accept jobs where performance evaluations are completed on a regular basis or where they would be required to attend meetings. With the limitations placed on them because of Social Anxiety Disorder, sufferers often are underachievers, accepting positions below their level of ability or education in order to avoid social situations in the workplace. Social Anxiety Disorder contributes to poor functioning and missed work. (Schneier, 2006) Just going to the store can be a difficult experience. With SAD, people constantly worry that other people are looking at them and judging them. They might avoid picking up objects at the store if they believe someone will be watching them. They may be embarrassed holding certain items and not pick them up. Some people with SAD may shop late at night, when the store has less people. (WebMD,