Social anxiety disorder (SAD)

The basic symptom of social phobia is a strong anxiety that appears in various social situations that are difficult to manage for sufferers.
Social anxiety disorder (SAD) is an intense fear of being judged, negatively evaluated, or rejected in social or performance situations. People with SAD are constantly worried about how others look at them and whether they seem visibly anxious (blushing, stumbling over words, trembling, etc.).
People suffering severely from SAD will try to change their lifestyle to avoid potential situations that cause anxiety. SAD can make it difficult for people to find work, go to school, and have friendships and romantic relationships.
The most common stressful situations include contact with strangers, especially in a smaller group, public speaking or performing in front of an audience, eating and drinking in public, but it can also be, for example, the use of public toilets or direct contact with staff in shops and institutions, especially if it is associated with conflict.
These situations are associated with the expectation of the onset of anxiety and possible awkwardness or embarrassment. Unlike the feelings of anguish or shame that each of us experiences from time to time, social phobia is a strong, persistent, and recurrent anxiety symptom that occurs in connection with said situations. Sometimes people also mask it by trying to appear confident, but in reality, they are extremely afraid that others will look at them, observe them, or talk about them for a long time. Even though the person with social phobia is mostly aware of the inadequacy of anxiety symptoms, he often does not know how to suppress them in a problem situation that leads to additional feelings of inadequacy, embarrassment, and failure.
Social phobia is not a serious psychological disorder, but it can limit a person in the long term, since communicating with people or performing in their presence is unavoidable today.
Social phobia is treated symptomatically. Effective methods of treatment include taking modern essential antidepressants and psychotherapeutic procedures aimed at practicing effective behavior in social situations. A combination of both procedures is ideal.
Both women and men are equally affected.
Common symptoms:
• fear of situations with potential negative judgment
• avoiding activities for fear of shame
• avoidance of situations to be the center of attention
• self-analysis and actions after social interaction
• problems with eye contact
Possible trigger situations:
• Being introduced to people
• Interviews
• Inviting others to activities
• Enforcing your own needs
• Speaking or performing in front of an audience