This type of disorder more
commonly strikes when a sufferer is placed within a social setting.
It is also referred to as Social Phobia and can be a very traumatic
and debilitating disorder making it near impossible for one afflicted
with it to be comfortable at any social gathering. This includes everyday
functions such as attending class, going out to dinner at a restaurant,
or even going to work.
The person suffering from this
disorder has strong self-conscious issues and may often times feel as
if they are not welcome, or really a part of the social setting. They
feel as if they are constantly being judged or watched by others for
no apparent reason other than those things they themselves feel self-conscious
about.
The social settings can be
those that occur on a daily basis, or those that are rare occurrences,
such as a party, public speaking events, etc. Often times, the sufferer
will experience any of the following symptoms when placed in social
gatherings: profuse sweating, trembling or shaking, feeling sick to
their stomachs, inability to speak, or blushing.
A person suffering from this
type of disorder can become so upset by an upcoming social event that
it will plague them for weeks in advance working them into an anxious
frenzy by the time the event finally comes around.
In an attempt to 'self-medicate',
a person experiencing this disorder will often times turn to alcohol
or 'street' drugs to cope which leads to more disorders springing up.
This disorder usually happens
sometime during early childhood or adolescence and continues on throughout
adulthood.
Treatment for this disorder
can be accomplished through careful and consistent counseling and medication.