Social Phobia — Social Anxiety Disorder
Social Phobia (clinically known as Social Anxiety Disorder) is the intense, persistent fear of social situations in which a person might be observed, evaluated, or judged negatively by others. The core fear is of acting in a humiliating way, visibly showing anxiety, or being socially inadequate.
The disorder causes significant impairment in social, academic, and professional life, and often leads to avoidance of social situations. It is one of the most prevalent anxiety disorders — affecting roughly 12% of the population at some point in life — and it typically begins in adolescence.
Treatment includes CBT with gradual exposure to social situations, social-skills training, and SSRIs when pharmacologically indicated.
💡 Practical example
Ana avoids giving presentations at work, can't eat in public, and turns down party invitations — not because she doesn't want to connect with people, but because the fear of being judged negatively outweighs her desire to take part.
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