A social phobia is a condition in which an individual experiences feelings of fear or dread in situations involving other people. This condition is not dangerous, but instead, triggers the body's fight or flight response. The body experiences a rush of chemicals, including adrenaline, which increases the feeling of fear. It's common for people to avoid situations in which they have to interact with others because they are afraid of what they will say or do.
Whether or not a person is experiencing an anxiety disorder is largely determined by the person's emotional intelligence, which involves recognizing the emotions that are present and how they are responding to them. One way to improve emotional intelligence is through behavioral therapy, which involves repeatedly confronting feared situations to reduce feelings of anxiety. Medication therapy, on the other hand, focuses on modifying neural functioning to treat anxiety.
In addition to social phobia, there are other types of anxiety disorders. One type, agoraphobia, is a fear of traveling by air. It can cause great distress for people who fear flying. It can range from an occasional fright to a full-blown panic attack, and the most extreme forms may lead to vomiting. Anxiety disorders are often chronic. People with agoraphobia may also have a general aversion to other people or things.
Psychiatric treatment for social phobia is not based on the severity of symptoms. Treatment for anthropophobia involves therapy, medication, or practicing relaxation techniques at home. Anxiety disorders affect millions of people. They may limit their happiness and limit their opportunities. Fortunately, many treatments can be quite effective. The first step is taking steps to understand the source of your feelings of dread.
Another common cause of anxiety is traumatic experience. Classical conditioning happens when the body relates traumatic experiences to situations, objects, or other people. Even a seemingly harmless situation can cause a high degree of anxiety. For example, a parent might have a child who reacts negatively to a phone ringing early in the morning. That child would likely react in the same way.
Specific phobias include phobias of mice and rats. This extreme fear of mice has been associated with stereotypical female behavior. Media outlets have often featured images of women hysterically shaking at the sight of a mouse. Fear of germs and contamination is another common phobia. Many people have mysophobia, and some experts believe the increased incidence of this disorder is linked to an increase in the danger perception in America.
