Social Phobic Or Just Shy?

People with social phobia are not just shy, they experience overwhelming anxiety and excessive self-consciousness in everyday social situations. They often think that other people are very competent in public and that they are not. Their fear of scrutiny, embarrassment, or humiliation in social situations, is often so disabling that they go to great lengths to avoid social activities and public situations altogether.

While many socially anxious people recognize that their fear of being around people is irrational, they find it considerably difficult to overcome their phobia.

Types of Social Phobia

Specific social phobia is one that is limited to certain situations, most commonly during times when the person has to perform or speak up in front of other people, such as public speaking and stage performance. More rarely, it may involve a fear of eating out, talking on the phone or using the public restroom.

Generalized social phobia is a more severe form, in that the social phobia is so broad that a person experiences symptoms almost anytime they are around other people.