Social Phobia

“She's always murmuring to herself, looking over her shoulders or adjusting her clothes, such a freak!", “He's so weird, no wonder he doesn't have friends", “She's always so quiet, I wonder if she even has a voice". Some might murmur these under their breath or give curious stares and scowls. More audacious ones would say it aloud. Most people are guilty of making such blind accusatory statements. They never stop to think that something may be wrong with these people. They are only interested in finding faults.

It can be agreed upon that a lot of awareness has been made concerning mental health. Health Organizations have made it their duty to make sure people are sensitized about various mental illnesses. An average person knows that there is something called depression and can even tell you some of it's symptoms and effects.

Nevertheless, there are other mental conditions that people know little to nothing about. One of such illnesses is Social Anxiety Disorder also known as social phobia. People living with this anxiety disorder may be right under your nose, but, you may not associate their symptoms with a psychological disorder. Mostly, people call them weirdos, freaks and all sorts of names when they notice this symptoms.

According to mayoclinic.org, these symptoms can be categorized into two: Emotional/behavioral symptoms and physical symptoms. Some of the emotional/behavioral symptoms include:

1) Persistent fear of situations in which you may be judged

2) Intense fear of interacting with strangers

3) Fear that others will notice that you look anxious

4) Avoiding doing things or speaking to people out of fear of embarrassment

5) Self consciousness

6) Spending time after a social situation analyzing your performance and identifying flaws in your interaction.

Physical symptoms are more noticeable and they include: Blushing, fast heartbeat, sweating, trembling, feeling that your mind has gone blank,  amongst others.

People  with this condition  need help. The earlier they get help, the better for them. When you notice these symptoms in your friends, neighbors or whoever, don't put them down. Instead, you can advise them to see a doctor in a very polite manner. Let's spread the word and get more people sensitized about this mental health condition.

Joy_Ande