A REAL ILLNESS: Social Phobia.Do you feel afraid and uncomfortable when you are around other people? Does This Sound Like You? Do you feel afraid and uncomfortable when you are around other people? Is it hard for you to be at work or school? Please put a check in the box next to problems you have. [] I have an intense fear that I will do or say something and embarrass embarrass /em·bar·rass/ (em-bar´as) to impede the function of; to obstruct. em·bar·rass v. To interfere with or impede (a bodily function or part). myself in front of other people. [] I am always very afraid of making a mistake and being watched and judged by other people. [] My fear of embarrassment makes me avoid doing things I want to do or speaking to people. [] I worry for days or weeks before I have to meet new people. [] I blush blush n. A sudden and brief redness of the face and neck due to emotion; flush. blush v. , sweat a lot, tremble, or feel like I have to throw up before and during an event where I am with new people. [] I usually stay away from social situations such as school events and making speeches. [] I often drink to try to make these fears go away. If you put a check in the box next to some of these problems, you may have Social Phobia social phobia n. A psychiatric disorder characterized by anxiety about being in public or social gatherings. Also called social anxiety disorder. . Social Phobia is a real illness that that can be serious. Maybe you think your fear is just a part of who you are. And you may think you can't change the way you feel. But there is a name for your fear. It is social phobia. It's it's 1. Contraction of it is. 2. Contraction of it has. See Usage Note at its. it's it is or it has it's be ~have not your fault if you have this illness, and you don't don't 1. Contraction of do not. 2. Nonstandard Contraction of does not. n. A statement of what should not be done: a list of the dos and don'ts. have to suffer. Read this booklet and learn how to get help. You can feel better and get your life back! 1. What is Social Phobia? Social phobia is a real illness. It can be treated with medicine and therapy. If you have social phobia, you are very worried about embarrassing yourself in front of other people. Your fears may be so serious that you cannot do everyday things. You may have a very hard time talking to Noun 1. talking to - a lengthy rebuke; "a good lecture was my father's idea of discipline"; "the teacher gave him a talking to" lecture, speech rebuke, reprehension, reprimand, reproof, reproval - an act or expression of criticism and censure; "he had to people at work or school. Your fear may even keep you from going to work or school on some days. You may worry that you will blush and shake in front of other people. You may believe that people are watching you, just waiting for you to make a mistake. Even talking on the phone, signing a check at the store, or using a public restroom can make you afraid. Many people are a little nervous before they meet new people or give a speech. But if you have social phobia, you worry for weeks before. You may do anything to stay away from the situation. 2. When does Social Phobia start and how long does it last? Social phobia usually starts when a person is still a child or teenager Teenager See also Adolescence. Ah, Wilderness! high-school senior has problems with girls and his father. [Am. Drama: O’Neill Ah, Wilderness! in Sobel, 15] Aldrich, Henry teenaged film character of the 1940s. [Am. . It is rare for it to start after a person reaches their mid-twenties. Anyone can have social phobia, but more women than men have the illness. It sometimes runs in families. Without treatment, social phobia can last for many years or even a lifetime. 3. Am I the only person with this illness? No. You are not alone. In any year, at least 5.3 million Americans have social phobia. 4. What can I do to help myself? * Talk to your doctor about your fears and worries. Tell your doctor if these worries are keeping you from doing everyday things and living your life. You may want to show your doctor this booklet. It can help you explain how you feel. * Ask your doctor if he or she has helped other people with social phobia. Special training helps doctors to treat people with social phobia. If your doctor doesn't does·n't Contraction of does not. have special training, ask for the name of a doctor or counselor who does. * Get more information. Call 1-88-88-ANXIETY to have free information mailed to you. 5. What can a doctor or counselor do to help me? * A doctor may give you medicine to help you feel less anxious and afraid. But it may take a few weeks for the medicine to work. * Talking with a specially trained doctor or counselor helps many people with social phobia. This is called "therapy." Therapy helps you become more comfortable in social situations. Here is one person's story: "In school I was always afraid of being called on, even when I knew the answers. When I got a job, I hated to meet with my boss. I couldn't could·n't Contraction of could not. couldn't could not even sit and have lunch with my co-workers. I worried about being stared at or judged, and that I would make a fool of myself. My heart would pound, and I would start to sweat when I thought about meetings. The feelings got worse the closer the event came. Sometimes I couldn't sleep or eat for days before a staff meeting. "A friend told me to call the doctor. I'm I'm Contraction of I am. Our Living Language Speakers of some scattered varieties of American English sometimes use I'm instead of I've or I have in present perfect constructions, as in so glad I did. My doctor gave me medicine that helps me feel less afraid around people. It is hard work, but a counselor is helping me learn to cope better with my fears in social settings." Remember - you can get help now: * Talk to your doctor about your fears and worries. * Call 1-88-88-ANXIETY (1-888-826-9438). It is a free call. You will get free information about social phobia mailed to you. The National Institute of Mental Health The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) is part of the federal government of the United States and the largest research organization in the world specializing in mental illness. (NIMH) is part of the Federal government. NIMH conducts medical research to find new and better ways to prevent and treat mental illnesses. NIMH also provides free information about mental illnesses. To get free information about other mental illnesses, write to NIMH at: National Institute of Mental Health 6001 Executive Boulevard Room 8184, MSC (1) (MSC.Software Corporation, Santa Ana, CA, www.mscsoftware.com) Founded in 1963 by Richard H. MacNeal and Robert G. Schwendler, MSC is the world's largest provider of mechanical computer aided engineering (MCAE) strategies, simulation software and services. 9663 Bethesda Bethesda, city, United States Bethesda, uninc. city (1990 pop. 62,936), Montgomery co., W central Md., an affluent residential and commercial suburb of Washington, D.C. The area was settled in the late 17th cent. , MD 20892-9663 You can also find free NIMH information online at: http://www.nimh.nih.gov |
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