Social phobia, also known as "social anxiety disorder," is approximately twice as common as panic disorder.  Here are some of the questions that a therapist might ask to find out if you have social phobia:

Does an unreasonable fear of embarrassment cause you to avoid most social interaction?

Is the anxiety you feel around people so intense it sometimes feels like a panic attack?

Do you fear being watched closely while doing something?

Do you fear being the center of attention?

Both cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and medication are effective treatment options for social phobia.

To find out about CBT for social phobia, a great first step would be to call or send an email to a CBT therapist in your area.  For some recommendations, click on this link: Finding a Therapist.

In addition, there are some great self-help resources. Here are some recommendations:

Websites:

http://www.anxietycoach.com

http://www.anxietynetwork.com/sphome.html

http://www.socialanxietysupport.com/

http://www.socialphobia.org/

Books:

Dying of Embarrassment, by Markway

The Shyness and Social Anxiety Workbook: Proven Techniques for Overcoming Your Fears, by Antony and Swinson

Diagonally Parked in a Parallel Universe: Working Through Social Anxiety, by Dayhoff

Overcoming Shyness and Social Phobia, by Rapee

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