Social anxiety is just one of the many forms of anxiety disorder. To the person suffering from social anxiety the symptoms experienced are very real. This is also true with other forms of anxiety disorders. The symptoms of social anxiety can appear to be life-threatening, serious physical conditions.

People with social anxiety may feel chest pain, racing heart beats, dizziness and symptoms similar to a heart attack.

For the person suffering from social anxiety the symptoms are a defense mechanism to avoid the situation that triggers the response. A person may have an extreme fear of public speaking or simply contributing to an office staff meeting. In one seminar class I took we had to go on stage and say our name, where we were from and what we wanted to gain from the course. This one gentleman was completely petrified to the point the muscles in his face would not let him speak. He had to be escorted off stage because he nearly fainted.

Common symptoms of social anxiety may include:

Dizziness, heart palpitations, nausea, stomach complaints, sweating, trembling, inability to concentrate, lost of sleep, headaches, tightening of the throat, chills, and more.

Because many of the symptoms of social anxiety mimic serious physical conditions it is advised to consult a physician to determine the root cause. If you are aware of the symptoms of social anxiety, then with proper assistance you can control the symptoms and learn how to overcome them.

Social anxiety symptoms can occur in the middle of a social interaction or even at just the anticipation of it. Some people avoid interactions with office staff or even a family get-together during the holidays. If the symptoms occur during a social event or even at the thought of the event then chances are you have social anxiety and you should seek a medical evaluation.

Social anxiety can impact all aspects of life outside of the residence. In extreme cases, a person might try to completely remove themselves from any kind of a situation that they feel could trigger extreme feelings of fear.

If you or anyone you care about has these symptoms during a social event, there should be a full medical and psychological evaluation to eliminate other potential causes. This can put a person with social anxiety on the right path for recovery.

When social anxiety is properly diagnosed and treated, the patient can almost always overcome the situation. A combination of medications and/or therapy is usually prescribed to help the patient regain control over their life and social situations. Everyone feels a little nervous in public situations they are not accustomed to but when fear uncontrollably overcomes you; you may need to get a medical evaluation for social anxiety.