Facing Up to Social Phobia

The anticipation of the upcoming first day of class has robbed Armand of a peaceful sleep for the past three nights. The image of being in the midst of all those other students and professors haunted him unrelentingly. When the day he feared most finally came, Armand left home early just like any other student not wanting to be late for the very first day of the semester. His mother saw him off, thinking that her son would have a good time making new friends in school. But Armand did not go to school. Sitting under the shade of an oak tree in the park, he was left with no choice but to sit there and while the time away until his classes end. Then and only then could he return home, so his mother would not have the slightest hint that he had skipped class. He knew how irrational his fear was, yet he was helpless against it. The thought of having to introduce himself in front of everyone was enough to make him want to pee in his pants. He was not particularly fearful of anything else except speaking in public. For countless times, Armand tried to ward off his unreasonable fear. And each time, he failed miserably.

Recognizing Social Phobia
Like other individuals who have extreme difficulty confronting their fear associated with public exposure, Armand is suffering from social anxiety disorder also known as social phobia. Identified as an excessive fear of specific social circumstances, people encumbered with social phobia usually avoid unfamiliar instances or any situation that would involved being subjected to others' evaluation or scrutiny. Although most of them are aware of how irrational their particular fears are, they are helpless against it. Hence, there are no other options for them except to go out of their way just to avoid these circumstances.
At the core of social phobia is the fear of being subjected to others' scrutiny/judgment or the seemingly imminent possibility of suffering public humiliation. People with social phobia are frightened that others would not think very well of them or they would prove to be inferior compared to them. Most of the time, sufferers think that they are the only ones riddled with this inexplicable fear. Little do they realize that social phobia is a common psychological disorder, which usually strikes people during adolescence. Nevertheless, in spite of its commonness, the circumstances that set off the symptoms of social phobia can vary accordingly.

Common Triggers of Social Phobia
For people who become anxious over majority of social or performance-related circumstances, they are encumbered with a condition technically referred to as generalized anxiety disorder. Other people, however, have their fears concentrated on a singular or very specific incidents, such as attending public gatherings, public speaking, being in a party, etc. Of these, the most common social phobia is fear of public speaking or public performance. Below are some of the common circumstances that tend to trigger social phobia:
Having to meet new people
Being asked to speak in front of a class or an audience
Becoming the focus of people's attention
Dating
Having people watch what one is doing
Calling people on the phone
Engaging in light conversations
Taking tests
Stage/public performances
Having to speak in public
Having others criticize or tease him/her
Having to speak with authoritative figures
Social gatherings