Social Phobia Cartoon
To be diagnosed, Social Anxiety must also interfere significantly with one's normal routine, occupational functioning or social activities. Sometimes the fear is a more generalized fear of acting in a way that is perceived to be humiliating. For example, fearing going to parties because of fear of what to say. Having trouble speaking to one's boss at work for fear of sounding incompetent or in some way offending or angering the boss. Other times the fear is of looking odd or being perceived as being anxious. In this case, the fear is often of blushing and turning so red that everyone notices, or sweating so profusely that everyone notices. The fears can be generalized so that most, if not all, social situations are feared and avoided or the fear can be more narrow such as dating or public speaking. One of the most common fears in Social Anxiety is of public speaking.