Are you uncomfortable or embarrassed at being the centre of attention? Do you find it hard to interact with people?
"I'm just afraid of saying something or afraid that if I open my mouth somebody in the room will look at me while I'm talking…"
"I went in the door, everybody turned around and said 'hello' and I started getting nervous and my legs were shaking and I was sweating and I turned around and went home…"
Do these statements sound familiar? People may tell you that you're shy, but you know it's not shyness - it's more than that. You get very anxious about certain situations, for example, if you have to interact with other people in a social setting, or if you have to make eye contact with somebody, or speak to someone directly or on the telephone (maybe it's your boss?). Do you start to blush and tremble? Does your heart start to beat faster? Maybe you begin to sweat?
You might have social anxiety disorder (sometimes known as 'social phobia'). It is surprising how many people do.
social-anxiety.org is a new Internet site that has been designed so that individuals with social anxiety disorder and their friends and family can find out more about the condition. It is an educational resource that we hope you'll find useful.
social-anxiety.org will be updated at regular intervals. If you have comments on the site please contact us. Also, if you can spare the time, please complete our feedback form so that we can be sure that social-anxiety.org is everything you would want it to be.
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This
Internet site is supported by an unrestricted educational grant
from SmithKline Beecham Pharmaceuticals
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Last updated: Monday, December 04, 2000