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Social Phobia
Social phobia is the irrational fear and
avoidance of being in a situation in which a person's activities could be watched by
others. In a sense, it is a form of "performance anxiety", but a social phobia
causes symtoms that go well beyond the normal nervousness before an on-stage appearance.
The person suffering from a social phobia
fears being watched or humiliated while doing something in front of others. As a result,
he avoids any situation in which such activity may be required of him. The activity often
is as mundane as signing a personal check, drinking water, buttoning a coat, or eating a
meal. The most common social phobia is the fear of speaking in public, either in front of
an audience or in front of a small group during a cocktail party.
Social phobias occur equally among men
and women, generally developing after puberty and peaking after the age of 30. A person
can suffer from one or a cluster of social phobias.
| Agoraphobia | | Phobias | Simple Phobia | |
