Social Phobias
A social phobia is often triggered by the fear of failure. If you have a social phobia, you have an intense fear of being embarrassed or humiliated by other people. You may have low self-esteem and see everything you do wrong as a major catastrophe. You are easily embarrassed and blush when your anxiety is exposed to others. The more you experience the phobia, the more you may withdraw from life.
You may remember that shy student in the back of the class who hoped he was invisible to the teacher. (Perhaps you were that person.) He made it all the way through school without ever having a social relationship with other students. Eventually someone found something unique about him, brought him out of his shell, and encouraged him to discover his own sense of self.
Physical symptoms of a social phobia include heart palpitations, rapid heartbeat, or tightness in the chest or stomach or muscles. They also include sweating, hyperventilation, diarrhea, blushing, tremors, rapid thinking, and confusion.
Do you or anyone you know have the symptoms of a social phobia? Do you avoid situations that could cause embarrassment? Do you have a fear, anxiety, or worry that holds you back from advancing in your career or social life? Does your fear of failure keep you from trying?
