Social phobia revolves around a fear of how others might see you, what they think of you, and feeling that whatever you're doing is getting noticed. In essence, social phobia is a fear of being judged. 

If you suffer from social phobia this fear becomes your own worst enemy.

The symptoms produced by social phobia can include 

• dry mouth
• blushing
• feeling sick
• shaking
• feeling weak
• shy bladder (inability to use public toilets)
• stammering
• diarrhoea
• stuttering
• sweating
• palpitations.

Social phobia can cause a full-blown anxiety attack or panic attack. It also shares many similar symptoms with general anxiety disorder.

The fear of social phobia is based around social / public situations where people come into some kind of contact with others or situations that put them at the centre of attention, or 'on the spot'. This can range from using the telephone to entertainment situations. Parties can be stressful and because of this, the need to have a drink beforehand, to "loosen up a bit", and relax enough to release social inhibitions, becomes of prime importance to the sufferer. Indeed, people may arrange their everyday life to avoid situations where social interactions may occur. 

Over time, this social phobic condition may go on to develop into depressive illnesses, or because the sufferers end up avoiding so many social places, they may go on to develop agoraphobia. Without help some people with social phobia may use drugs, alcohol, or tranquillisers as crutches, and sometimes become addicted to them.

How Hypnotherapy can help