Social Phobia

crowd Most of us find some social events a little daunting, public speaking for instance. It is when it becomes an intense anxiety that help is needed.

Social Phobia or General Anxiety Disorder

Sufferers of social phobia find it difficult to explain just how they feel since it is often a disorder that is hidden by their coping mechanisms. In general they find it hard to relate to others in a social situation. Estimates vary greatly but between 3-13% of the population suffer some form of social phobia. There are several suggested causes for the disorder, including hereditary, environmental, and neurological. It generally appears during adolescence.

Some examples are...

> Worry about what others think of you

> Fear of a situation such as a social gathering or party

> Having a drink to "steady the nerves" before going to a function

> Not going out because the fear of meeting others becomes too much

> Feeling that everyone is watching every activity you do

> Fear of interaction with the opposite sex

> Aversion to public visits like shopping, pubs, concerts

> A great fear of public speaking or being in the limelight

meeting Social phobia can take two forms, the generic, were the person is afraid of just about any social activity or event, and the specific, which is generally limited to one particular situation, e.g. public speaking, meeting the opposite sex, etc..

The social phobic can have many symptoms such as dry mouth, palpitations, sweating, increased bladder activity or diarrhoea, feeling sick, shaking, stammering or stuttering, feeling faint, rapid heart rate and hyperventilation.

Dealing with social phobia with hypnotherapy is normally by way of hypno-analysis with some suggestive therapy.

I am pretty sure I have social phobia but I am to afraid to talk about it

A professionally trained hypnotherapist is able to deal with any social phobia issue that you need to talk about. The relief from discussing it fully with another trusted person can have a therapeutic effect on it's own. Since the sessions are totally confidential no one will ever know that you have sought help.

People you know will notice a change in your behaviour though, once the social phobia is gone, and you become more confident and aware of your true potential. Most sufferers when released from the effects of their social phobia describe it like the beginning of a new life for them.