How is social phobia different from normal shyness or “normal” social anxiety?

Most people experience discomfort in social situations at some point in their life (e.g. feeling shy). However, shyness is often manageable and specific to the situation. Even the most extroverted and confident people may experience times of uncertainty, discomfort or doubt in social situations. The apprehension for these people is often of a low intensity and the person can use helpful coping techniques to reduce the anxiety and/or use it productively to drive their performance.

Social phobia is an extreme form of shyness and social anxiety and is associated with the activation of the anxiety response and the associated behaviours for reducing this anxiety. The anxiety for people with social phobia is often debilitating and restrictive and severely affects day-to-day living and opportunities.

Unlike those who are shy and mildly anxious in social situations, a person with social phobia:

• Experiences excessive doubts, worries, and fears in anticipation of the social or performance event,, and afterwards; 
• Does not experience a reduction of anxiety during the event because of the manner in which the cycle is maintained; and
• Experiences anxiety that is disabling enough to limit their interactions and make it more likely that the interaction/performance is not successful. 

What impact can social phobia have on a person’s life? 

The fears associated with social phobia can interfere with many areas of a person’s life and the associated behaviours (e.g. avoidance) can result in:

• Isolation and feelings of loneliness;
• Limited opportunities for establishing social networks and developing and maintaining platonic and intimate relationships; and
• Reduced opportunities for developing and expanding ones potential (e.g. at work and university).

Social phobia is often associated with and accompanied by other difficulties, including:

• Being overly sensitive to criticism from others;
• Difficulty asserting oneself;
• Low self-esteem;
• Poor social skills (associated with safety behaviours e.g. poor eye-contact or low voice levels);
• Depression and other anxiety disorders;
• Bulimia nervosa; and
• Use of alcohol, drugs and other medication in an attempt to reduce the experience of anxiety and manage situations that they may perceive as threatening.