Phobias are a type of anxiety disorder rooted in specific, excessive, unrealistic fears of particular objects, situations, people, or animals. They are most commonly divided into two categories: social phobias and specific phobias.
Social Anxiety and Phobia
People with social anxiety disorder, or social phobia, feel a paralyzing, irrational self-consciousness about having to interact in social situations. They have an intense fear of being observed or of doing something horribly wrong in front of other people. Their fear goes well above and beyond the mild social discomfort many feel when they are in the spotlight—this disorder can lead to stress and avoidance that can be debilitating to an individual’s routines and daily obligations.
This condition may develop in children, as depicted in the story of Grace; as well as adults, as portrayed in the story of Marcy.