Social Phobia

Synonyms

Social anxiety; Social anxiety disorder

Definition

According to DSM IV [3] social anxiety disorder is "a marked and persistent fear of one or more social performance situations in which the person is exposed to unfamiliar people or possible scrutiny by others." It is a disorder with a very broad range of implications as most of our daily activities revolve around social encounters. It is especially debilitating because seemingly routine tasks become an ordeal for the individuals suffering from the disorder.

Description

Social phobia is a common disorder with vast implications; its effects range from interpersonal problems to inability to meet developmental milestones. The socially anxious youth struggle with the inherent anxiety as well as the social implications of their anxious behavior.