It's normal to feel nervous in some social situations. For example, going on a date or giving a presentation may cause that feeling of butterflies in our stomach. But in social anxiety disorder, also called social phobia, everyday interactions cause significant anxiety, fear, self-consciousness and embarrassment because of fear of being scrutinized or judged by others.

In social anxiety disorder, fear and anxiety lead to avoidance that can disrupt our life. Severe stress can affect your daily routine, work, school or other activities.

Social anxiety disorder is a chronic mental health condition, but learning coping skills in psychotherapy and taking medications can help to gain confidence and improve the ability to interact with others.

SYMPTOMS OF SOCIAL PHOBIA

Feelings of shyness or discomfort in certain situations aren't necessarily signs of social anxiety disorder, particularly in children. Comfort levels in social situations vary, depending on personality traits and life experiences. Some people are naturally reserved and others are more outgoing.

In contrast to everyday nervousness, social anxiety disorder includes fear, anxiety and avoidance that interfere with daily routine, work, school or other activities. Social anxiety disorder typically begins in the early to mid-teens, though it can sometimes start in younger children or in adults.

EMOTIONAL AND BEHAVIORAL SYMPTOMS

Signs and symptoms of social anxiety disorder can include persistent:

• Fear of situations in which one may be judged
• Worrying about embarrassing or humiliating themself
• Intense fear of interacting or talking with strangers
• Fear that others will notice that one look anxious
• Fear of physical symptoms that may cause embarrassment, such as blushing, sweating, trembling or having a shaky voice
• Avoiding doing things or speaking to people out of fear of embarrassment
• Avoiding situations where you might be the center of attention
• Having anxiety in anticipation of a feared activity or event
• Enduring a social situation with intense fear or anxiety
• Spending time after a social situation analyzing your performance and identifying flaws in your interactions
• Expecting the worst possible consequences from a negative experience during a social situation

For children, anxiety about interacting with adults or peers may be shown by crying, having temper tantrums, clinging to parents or refusing to speak in social situations.

Performance type of social anxiety disorder is when one may experience intense fear and anxiety only during speaking or performing in public, but not in other types of social situations.

PHYSICAL SYMPTOMS

Physical signs and symptoms can sometimes accompany social anxiety disorder and may include:

• Blushing
• Fast heartbeat
• Trembling
• Sweating
• Upset stomach or nausea
• Trouble catching your breath
• Dizziness or lightheadedness
• Feeling that your mind has gone blank
• Muscle tension

AVOIDING COMMON SOCIAL SITUATIONS

Common, everyday experiences that may be hard to endure when you have social anxiety disorder include, for example:

• Interacting with unfamiliar people or strangers
• Attending parties or social gatherings
• Going to work or school
• Starting conversations
• Making eye contact
• Dating
• Entering a room in which people are already seated
• Returning items to a store
• Eating in front of others
• Using a public restroom

Social anxiety disorder symptoms can change over time. They may flare up if you're facing a lot of stress or demands. Although avoiding situations that produce anxiety may make  feel better in the short term, anxiety is likely to continue over the long term if one don't get treatment.

CAUSES OF SOCIAL PHOBIA

Like many other mental health conditions, social anxiety disorder likely arises from a complex interaction of biological and environmental factors. Possible causes include

• Inherited traits. Anxiety disorders tend to run in families. However, it isn't entirely clear how much of this may be due to genetics and how much is due to learned behavior.
• Brain structure. A structure in the brain called the amygdala (uh-MIG-duh-luh) may play a role in controlling the fear response. People who have an overactive amygdala may have a heightened fear response, causing increased anxiety in social situations.
• Environment. Social anxiety disorder may be a learned behavior — some people may develop the condition after an unpleasant or embarrassing social situation. Also, there may be an association between social anxiety disorder and parents who either model anxious behavior in social situations or are more controlling or overprotective of their children.

COMPLICATON OF SOCIAL PHOBIA

Left untreated, social anxiety disorder can run our life. Anxieties can interfere with work, school, relationships or enjoyment of life. Social anxiety disorder can cause:

• Low self-esteem
• Trouble being assertive
• Negative self-talk
• Hypersensitivity to criticism
• Poor social skills
• Isolation and difficult social relationships
• Low academic and employment achievement
• Substance abuse, such as drinking too much alcohol
• Suicide or suicide attempts

Other anxiety disorders and certain other mental health disorders, particularly major depressive disorder and substance abuse problems, often occur with social anxiety disorder.

HOMOEOPATHIC TREATMENT FOR SOCIAL PHOBIA

1. Kali Phosphoricum: Useful for social phobias for those people who easily get stressed, insecure or over sensitive. There is dullness, fatigue and lack of energy due to anxiety. 
2. Aconite: Useful for social phobias for those patient having sudden anxiety and intense panic . These sudden attacks may be connected to past trauma.
3. Arsenicum album: Usefull medicine for those people who have fear of loneliness, darkness or being imperfect.
4. Gelsemium: Useful for social phobias for those people who face anxiety due to the feeling of inadequacy.Patient may feel trapped in public places.Useful for those patient who avoid crowds and public speaking.
5. Ignatia: Useful medicine for ocial phobias for those people who experience anxiety from loss or grief. useful for those people who suffers with constant mood swings. Very useful for depression.e.t.c