Social phobia is another name for social anxiety disorder. Social phobia affects over 15 million Americans each year, making it the third largest psychological problem in the United States. As many people as there are affected by social phobia, it is still very misunderstood by mental health care professionals such as doctors, therapists and psychologists. Patients suffering from social phobia are misdiagnosed approximately 90% of the time. Often they are mistakenly labeled as manic-depressive, panic disordered, schizophrenic or clinically depressed.

Social phobia is not a disorder that is discussed a lot on television on in the media; so many sufferers don’t realize just how common their problem is in the world. Rather, they feel there is something wrong with just them so they don’t seek treatment. Without knowledge of social phobia and proper treatment, the condition can get worse over time. Another thing that makes social phobia so difficult is that it does not come and go as a symptom of some diseases, but it is with you every day of your life. [Read more...]