Self-Help Information: Shyness & Social Phobia
Most of us know what it is like to feel shy.
Although it may seem as if everyone else in the room is feeling
confident, social anxiety is a nearly universal experience. In a
classic study in the 1970’s, Philip Zimbardo found that more than
80% of people questioned reported that they were shy at some point
in their lives, while over 40% described themselves as currently
shy. About 4% described themselves as extremely shy in that they
felt shy all the time, in all situations, and with virtually all
people. Thus, shyness appears to exist on a continuum with most of
us feeling shy in some specific situations and a small percentage
struggling with severe shyness in all situations. Zimbardo found
that strangers and members of the opposite sex were the most likely
people to make us feel shy, while close friends and family members
were the least likely. The situations in which people were most
likely to experience shyness were being the center of attention in a
large group (such as giving a speech) or being in social or new
situations.
What are Signs of Shyness?
When someone is experiencing shyness, they
experience feelings, physical symptoms and their behavior may change
in predictable ways. Self-consciousness, feelings of embarrassment,
insecurity and inferiority all go along with feeling shy. Someone
who is feeling shy may experience physical symptoms of anxiety such
as "butterflies in the stomach", blushing, sweaty palms, and an
increased heart rate. Shyness is also evident in people’s behavior.
Someone feeling shy may be hesitant to talk at all and when they do
talk, it may be in a quite voice with little or no eye contact. The
person seems to want to disappear into the floor.
What is Social Phobia?
Sometimes considered an extreme form of
shyness, Social Phobia is an intense fear of becoming humiliated in
social situations, specifically of embarrassing yourself in front of
other people. If you suffer from social phobia, you tend to think
that other people are very competent in public and that you are not.
Small mistakes you make may seem to you much more exaggerated than
they really are. Blushing itself may seem painfully embarrassing,
and you feel as though all eyes are focused on you. You may be
afraid of being with people other than those closest to you. Or your
fear may be more specific, such as feeling anxious about giving a
speech, talking to a boss or other authority figure, or dating. The
most common Social Phobia is a fear of public speaking. Sometimes
Social Phobia involves a general fear of social situations such as
parties. More rarely, it may involve a fear of using a public
restroom, eating out, talking on the phone, or writing in the
presence of other people, such as when signing a check. It often
runs in families and may be accompanied by depression or alcoholism.
Social Phobia often begins around early adolescence or even younger.
Shyness vs. Social Phobia
Although Social Phobia is often thought of
as shyness, the two are not the same. Shy people can be very uneasy
around others, but they don’t experience the extreme anxiety in
anticipating a social situation, and they don’t necessarily avoid
circumstances that make them feel self-conscious. In contrast,
people with social Phobia may not feel shy in all situations. They
can be completely at ease with people most of the time, but
particular situations, such as walking down an aisle in public or
making a speech, can give them intense anxiety. Social Phobia
disrupts normal life, interfering with career or social
relationships. For example, a worker can turn down a job promotion
because he can’t give public presentations. The dread of a social
event can begin weeks in advance, and symptoms can be quite
debilitating. People with Social Phobia are aware that their
feelings are irrational. Still, they experience a great deal of
dread before facing the feared situation, and they may go out of
their way to avoid it. Even if they manage to confront what they
fear, they usually feel very anxious beforehand and are intensely
uncomfortable throughout. Afterwards, the unpleasant feelings may
linger, as they worry about how they may have been judged or what
others may have thought or observed about them.
Treatment
About 80% of people who suffer from Social
Phobia find relief from their symptoms when treated with
Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy or medications or a combination of the
two. Therapy may involve learning to view social events differently;
being exposed to a seemingly threatening social situation in such a
way that it becomes easier to face; and learning anxiety-reducing
techniques, social skills, and relaxation techniques.
(The above information about Social
Phobia was condensed from a public domain brochure produced by the
National Institute of Mental Health. For the full text of the
brochure, visit the NIMH website at
www.nimh.nih.gov).
Recommended Books to Read
Overcoming
Shyness and Social Phobia: A Step-by-Step Guide.
Ronald M. Rapee,
North Bergen, NJ: Jason Aronson, 1998. This workbook
is organized around nine lessons consisting of
information and exercises designed to help overcome
shyness and social fears. Lessons focus on issues
such as changing your thoughts, changing your focus
of attention, and evaluating and improving
performance. The importance of practice is
emphasized throughout the book.
No More
Butterflies: Overcoming Stagefright, Shyness,
Interview Anxiety, and Fear of Public Speaking.
Peter Desberg,
Ph.D., Oakland, CA: New Harbinger, 1996. With a
focus on fear of public speaking and stagefright,
this book helps individuals determine the source of
the fear and teaches relaxation and other anxiety
reducing skills. It discusses various techniques for
dealing with stage fright.
Social
Phobia: From Shyness to Stage Fright.
John R. Marshall, New York:
Basic Books, 1994. This book describes many
manifestations of social phobia and shyness ranging
from social fear in children to anxiety in sexual
situations, being seen in public, and performing.
One chapter is devoted to a discussion of the
evolutionary origins of social anxiety. Many
different types of social phobia and shyness are
described and multiple descriptions drawn from the
author’s work with his own patients are utilized to
explore the topic.
Social
Phobia: A Guide.
Information Centers, Dean Foundation for Health,
Research and Education, 1997. This pamphlet
describes the symptoms and causes of social phobia.
It then describes the treatment options, with an
emphasis on medication.
Need Additional Help?
Washington State University College of Veterinary Medicine
Counseling and Wellness Services offer free individual counseling for these and
related issues for veterinary students (WSU Veterinary Students ONLY). For more
information or to schedule an appointment call or e-mail:
Carolyn Wyatt PhD
ADBF 1035
335-0774
cwyatt@vetmed.wsu.edu
NOTE: The information contained in these self help
documents is not to be used as a substitute for professional care. Neither the
authors, Washington State University nor the College of Veterinary Medicine
assume liability for injury incurred by following the information presented in
these self-help documents
Last Edited: Mar 08, 2007 8:14 AM
