Definition:
What is social phobia? Social phobia is one of the anxiety disorders listed in the fourth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV). It is also often referred to as “social anxiety disorder.”
Social phobia is characterized by an intense fear of social situations in which embarrassment or humiliation may occur. This fear is sometimes so intense that being exposed to the feared situation can produce a panic attack. Often, people with social phobia will avoid the feared social situations altogether.
Individuals with generalized social phobia fear most situations. In contrast, some people with social phobia only fear one or two social situations (such as public speaking).
Learn more about social phobia from from About.com’s Guide to Social Anxiety Disorder.Also Known As: social anxiety disorder
