What are Social Phobias?
According to the DSM-IV, social phobias present with “a marked and persistent fear of social or a performance situation in which embarrassment may occur, or the perception of embarrassment. This fear invariably provokes an immediate anxiety response.” As per the DSM-IV, children under the age of 18 can only be diagnosed with a social phobia if it lasts greater than 6 months. When anxiety and fear occurs, the sympathetic response takes over and individuals find themselves having symptoms of dry mouth (cotton-mouth), palpitations, diaphoresis, tremors, and blushing. The perception is that these individuals will be looked upon by others and judged, that they are incompetent or “stupid.” It is important to be aware that adolescents may have perceptions of their bodies that are not egodystonic. In other words, these individuals have gross perceptions of being overweight, underweight or feel that they are ugly. The social phobia has to reach a level that interferes with their normal occupati
