Phobia is the fear of a situation or object that would not normally be feared. In fact, fear has an adaptive function in life. If we had no fear or stress, we would be defenseless against all dangers. At the same time, if we do not experience these emotions, we cannot be motivated about any work or goal. For example, a person who has an exam the next day would be reluctant to study for the exam if he or she had no anxiety. But of course, experiencing this anxiety and fear at an excessive level seriously affects the person's quality of life.
Social phobia is extreme anxiety about doing something that will be embarrassing. In a sense, it is being ashamed of being ashamed. It literally poisons people's lives. Because we always live together with people. In this respect, having social phobia means that a person is in constant fear or anxiety.
Three components of social phobia have been defined. These are interaction anxiety, observation anxiety, and fear that others will notice signs of anxiety. In interaction anxiety, a person is afraid of social interaction with others. Observation anxiety is the fear of being observed by others in situations where one must perform (such as writing, eating, drinking while someone is watching, etc.). Finally, the fear that others will notice the symptoms of anxiety is the fear that more physical symptoms such as sweating, trembling, blushing, and stuttering will be noticed due to anxiety.
Social Phobia Symptoms
The person feels fear in one or more social situations in which he or she might be evaluated by others. For example, the person becomes extremely anxious in situations such as making a presentation in front of the public, entering a crowded room, or meeting new people, and thinks that he can make a mistake at any moment and be embarrassed. Or he may not be able to use toilets in public places, or he may feel uncomfortable with the feeling of being observed in situations where he needs to perform, such as eating and drinking, and avoid them. It is inevitable that we all experience some degree of anxiety when we normally have to speak in public. However, a person with social phobia experiences this anxiety at a very high level. You may be drenched in sweat, you may be shaking, your heartbeat and breathing will accelerate. In addition, simultaneously While making that speech, his inner voice constantly said that he would be humiliated, make mistakes, and be the subject of ridicule. He tortures himself with thoughts like this. Trying to concentrate on one's work with such negative thoughts and physical reactions is very tiring and difficult, requiring almost superhuman effort. If left untreated, it greatly impairs the person's quality of life. A person cannot reveal his/her own self and reveal his/her potential. All this can push him into anger and depression. He may isolate himself from people, does not leave the house as much as possible, has problems establishing romantic relationships with the opposite sex, and shows avoidance behaviors. Of course, the symptoms and levels of this disorder may vary from person to person. For example, a person may be relatively comfortable talking to people but become extremely anxious in situations where they must perform. Or, while he/she can interact comfortably with the same sex, he/she may be overly anxious, timid and shy in his/her relationships with the opposite sex.
Causes of Social Phobia
Genetic predisposition is an important factor in social phobia. is the reason. A person whose family member has social phobia has a higher risk of contracting this disease. In addition, factors such as early traumatic events and disruption of the chemistry and hormonal system in the brain pose a risk for the development of social phobia. It has also been observed that a person who has been exposed to a traumatic social experience in an environment is at risk of contracting this disease, especially if they have a genetic predisposition.
Other Psychological Diseases Seen with Social Phobia
The following diseases may be observed simultaneously with social phobia:
1. Agoraphobia: Fears that arise in situations such as being in crowded places, being alone at home, going out of the house, being in public places such as movie theaters, theater halls, shopping malls, buses, trains and airplanes.
2. Major Depression:It is quite common for a person who cannot reveal his/her own self as it is and is always in anxiety to experience depression as well as social phobia.
3. Alcohol and Substance Abuse:Alcohol Although it has a relaxing effect when used in the recommended dosage, it poses a risk for a person with social phobia to develop alcohol addiction.
4. Generalized Anxiety Disorder: Social phobia can cause anxiety only depending on people and performance, or it can become generalized and turn into generalized anxiety disorder, which creates anxiety depending on many events, situations and thoughts.
5. OCD: Another psychological disorder seen together with social phobia is obsessive-compulsive disorder. This disorder usually manifests itself with symptoms such as contamination, symmetry, control, and doubt.
Social Phobia Treatment
Recently, there has been an increase in the desire of people struggling with this phobia to get help. Many people with social phobia still experience anxiety about taking the plunge. However, social phobia is a disease that can be treated. An effective treatment program helps the person minimize this anxiety and improve their quality of life. What the treatment will be varies depending on the person. The reason for this is that each individual is unique, has different experiences, environmental factors, and has a different thought system. For example, some people may need medication in addition to psychotherapy. Working with a psychologist allows a person to see their own strengths and weaknesses, gain awareness, and develop ways to cope with their anxiety. Schools generally used in psychotherapy: psychodynamic approach, cognitive behavioral treatment, interpersonal approach and object relations approach. At the same time, there are many treatment methods such as gradual exposure of the person to the phobia, social skills training, and teaching relaxation techniques for the client to apply in situations of anxiety.
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