Social anxiety disorder (SAD) also known as social phobia is an
anxiety disorder characterized by a significant amount of fear in
one or more social situations causing considerable distress and
impaired ability to function in at least some parts of daily life.
These fears can be triggered by perceived or actual scrutiny from
others.
Physical symptoms often include excessive blushing excess sweating trembling palpitations and nausea. Stammering may be present along with rapid speech. Panic attacks can also occur under intense fear and discomfort. Some sufferers may use alcohol or other drugs to reduce fears and inhibitions at social events. It is common for sufferers of social phobia to self-medicate in this fashion especially if they are undiagnosed untreated or both; this can lead to alcoholism eating disorders or other kinds of substance abuse. SAD is sometimes referred to as an illness of lost opportunities where "individuals make major life choices to accommodate their illness". According to ICD-10 guidelines the main diagnostic criteria of social phobia are fear of being the focus of attention or fear of behaving in a way that will be embarrassing or humiliating avoidance and anxiety symptoms. Standardized rating scales can be used to screen for social anxiety disorder and measure the severity of anxiety.
Physical symptoms often include excessive blushing excess sweating trembling palpitations and nausea. Stammering may be present along with rapid speech. Panic attacks can also occur under intense fear and discomfort. Some sufferers may use alcohol or other drugs to reduce fears and inhibitions at social events. It is common for sufferers of social phobia to self-medicate in this fashion especially if they are undiagnosed untreated or both; this can lead to alcoholism eating disorders or other kinds of substance abuse. SAD is sometimes referred to as an illness of lost opportunities where "individuals make major life choices to accommodate their illness". According to ICD-10 guidelines the main diagnostic criteria of social phobia are fear of being the focus of attention or fear of behaving in a way that will be embarrassing or humiliating avoidance and anxiety symptoms. Standardized rating scales can be used to screen for social anxiety disorder and measure the severity of anxiety.
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