What is the definition of social phobia?

The definition of social phobia, also known as social anxiety disorder, encompasses a significant fear of specific social situations where individuals feel they may be judged or scrutinized by others. This condition often leads to intense anxiety and avoidance behaviors in situations such as speaking in public, meeting new people, or eating in front of others. The fear is primarily centered around the potential for humiliation or embarrassment, which can severely impact one's daily life and social interactions.

In contrast, fear of public speaking, while it can be a manifestation of social phobia, does not encompass the broader range of social situations in which individuals might experience anxiety. Fear of enclosed spaces refers to claustrophobia and is not related to social interactions. Fear of large crowds could be a component of social phobia but does not capture the essence of the disorder, which is the fear of being scrutinized specifically in social contexts rather than the mere presence of a crowd. Thus, the most accurate definition for social phobia is centered around the fear of being judged in social situations.