psychiatric disorders
Social Anxiety Disorder
Introduction
Social anxiety disorder is characterized by fear of and anxiety about being exposed to certain social or performance situations. These situations are avoided or endured with substantial anxiety. Diagnosis is based on clinical criteria. Treatment involves cognitive-behavioral therapy, exposure therapy, and sometimes pharmacotherapy. Overview of Anxiety Disorders affects about 2.8% of people in a given year, with a lifetime prevalence of about 5% ( Fear and anxiety in patients with social anxiety disorder often center on being embarrassed or humiliated if they fail to meet people's expectations or are scrutinized by other people in social interactions. Often, the concern is that their anxiety will be apparent through sweating, blushing, vomiting, or trembling (sometimes as a quavering voice) or that the ability to keep a train of thought or find words to express themselves will be lost. Usually, the same activity done alone causes no anxiety. Situations in which social anxiety is common include public speaking, acting in a theatrical performance, and playing a musical instrument. Other potential situations include eating with others, meeting new people, having a conversation, signing a document before witnesses, or using public bathrooms. A more generalized type of social anxiety causes anxiety in a broad array of social situations. Most patients with social anxiety disorder recognize that their fears are unreasonable and excessive. 