How Distressing is Social Phobia?

I remember a friend in college who would blush, sweat, and tremble when required by a teacher to speak in class. A few weeks before the presentation, he'd be anxious, agitated, and couldn't sleep. Because I was still a student then, I didn't have any clue what he was going through. But I knew that something was terribly wrong.

A few years ago while in the airport, I noticed a man who'd wait for everyone to leave the washroom before he'd use the urinal. He wasn't comfortable that someone would see him urinate.

In retrospect, I can say (now that I'm a psychiatrist) that those two individuals might have suffered from Social Phobia or Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD). I just hope that they are doing well now but the symptoms that they manifested at the time were consistent with this devastating illness.

How bad is Social Phobia or SAD?

Social Phobia or SAD is a type of anxiety disorder characterized by extreme fear, anxiety, or distress when exposed to a social gathering or when doing something before a group of people.

Public speaking is the most common situation that exposes the individual's social fears. An individual suffering from this disorder develops significant anxiety symptoms such as sweating, fast heart beat, tremulousness, and restlessness when making a presentation or giving a minor talk. Even small corporate or committee meetings can cause grave distress.

Urinating in public washrooms, eating in fast food restaurants, writing in front of people or signing documents in a bank can also trigger feelings of fear and discomfort. Individuals with this illness are preoccupied with being embarrassed or criticized by others. Some patients feel that people are so focused on them and are only waiting for blunders to happen.

So Social Phobia can be devastating to a lot of patients and their families. Because of their difficulties in a social milieu, some of them have eventually lost their jobs, friends, and spouses. It is an illness that has wrought havoc to many. It is therefore vital that Social Phobia should be recognized and treated without delay.

Is there any treatment for this illness?

Fortunately, some newer antidepressants such as paroxetine and venlafaxine are known to work and have caused significant relief to a lot of individuals. However, these medications don't work right away. They need to be taken daily for a few weeks to see any benefit. Moreover, the medications' maximum effect may occur within 6-8 weeks or longer. To maintain stability after feeling "normal," patients may have to take the medication for several months to a few years.

In addition to medications, cognitive-behavioral intervention also works well. By restructuring the person's cognition, patients eventually learn to face social situations without fear and uncertainty.

Dr. Michael G. Rayel ? author (First Aid to Mental Illness?Finalist, Reader's Preference Choice Award 2002) psychiatrist, and inventor of Oikos Game: A Personal Development and Emotional Skills Game. For more information, please visit www.oikosgame.com.

---

Medical Tests: What Does a Normal Range Mean?

We have a marvelous array of medical tests available to... Read More

Joint Pain Relief

If you joints are constantly killing you, here are three... Read More

Viga Lies Cause Potential Fatalities

Viga and Viga for Women is a dietary supplement sold... Read More

The Highway to Health - Bumped Heads

I recently had a reader send me this comment:"As a... Read More

Drug Abuse In Teens: Online Drug Abuse Identification Help

Teen drug abuse is at an all time high, but... Read More

Parasites In Your Colon

Your colon is a place for other parasites and organisms... Read More

New Treatment for Peripheral Neuropathy

Millions of Americans suffer with Peripheral Neuropathy and until recently... Read More

Medical Collections

Although you make a patient feel better, there isn't usually... Read More

Fioricet: Migraine Remedy Medication Or Just Another Headache?

We've all had garden variety headaches from time to time.... Read More

Vioxx Recall leads to Vioxx Lawsuits

Vioxx is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammagory drug (NSAID) that reduces inflammation,... Read More

?Doc, my mouth is so dry all the time. What could be the problem??

Sjogren's syndrome is an autoimmune disorder ? a disorder in... Read More

Lunesta Pregnancy And Breastfeeding

Lunesta is a newly released sleeping pill. Marketed as a... Read More

Blood Pressure Treatment: High and Low Blood Pressure Tips and Medication!

High blood pressure is on the rise worldwide. But, doctors... Read More

Stem Cell Research

How To Buy Your Way Out Of An Early Death... Read More

Take Control of Your Doctor: Ten Actions To Get What You Need At Your Next Office Visit

Michael Richardson, MD has some suggestions on maximizing your next... Read More

Online Pharmacies and the FDA

The FDA (Food and Drug Administration) is responsible for overseeing... Read More

Eliminate Agonizing Hand Pain Quickly and Easily!

According to Dr. Nathan Wei, "The hand and wrist are... Read More

Electric Wheelchairs

When you search online for Electric Wheelchairs, like any other... Read More

Prescription Drugs from International Pharmacies Save Elderly Money

As pointed out by *Jack Shapiro, an internationally-known healthcare marketing... Read More

Irritable Bowel Syndrome - Cybill Shepherd Reveals All

Cybill Shepherd has revealed that she suffers from irritable bowel... Read More

Are Drug Companies Destroying The U.S. Health Care System?

The U.S. government's annual bill for healthcare spending ? $3,925... Read More

Paxil Recall Lawyer Discusses Paxil Addiction

Paxil went on the market in 1992 at the height... Read More

The Equine Cushings Cure

Equine Cushings disease is caused by a tumor in the... Read More

Medication Compliance Kit ... A Life Saver

Pill Proof LLC introduces the first, easy to use medication... Read More

The Cox-2 Prescription Painkillers Are Back?

This past week, the FDA held a meeting in order... Read More

Who Else Wants General Information on Arthritis?

Today there are about 70 million Americans with arthritis?that's one... Read More

Aleve, Vioxx, Celebrex, and Bextra: What You Need To Know About Arthritis Pain Medications

Recent controversy about the safety of pain medications for arthritis... Read More

7 Tips to Immediately Reduce Rotator Cuff Pain

1. Support the affected arm during activities of daily living.... Read More

Diagnosis and Treatments of Cerebral Palsy

Before a child can be appropriately diagnosed with cerebral palsy,... Read More

Comfortable, Affordable Lab Coats for the Health Care Professional

When a health care professional uses lab coats it conveys... Read More

Acid Reflux ? Symptoms and Treatment

Acid reflux (also known as GERD or heartburn) is a... Read More

Is Anxiety Ruling Your Life?

Anxiety is the most frequently occurring mental health disorder in... Read More

A Very Medical Miracle

Madeline Mann once weighed less can a can of soda... Read More