Assume that at all times people everywhere are talking about you. The whispers and looks people give you are meant for you. This is how people with social anxiety disorder, or social phobia, feel whenever they are vulnerable and exposed to others. It is a terrible ordeal for those who suffer from it because it interrupts and prevents them from functioning properly in their daily lives. This raises the question of how such a thing could happen. What are some possible causes of this and how can this problem be overcome? Many studies have been conducted that have used social and physiological factors as possible causes of social phobia. For starters, social phobia is an anxiety disorder that prohibits socializing with others due to fear of judgment and extreme level of self-consciousness. People with this disorder have a bizarre fear of being watched and examined by others. This is exacerbated when they lack social skills in social situations. This causes anxiety which for some can lead to panic attacks because they are constantly distressed by people judging them. Some even withdraw from social situations entirely so as not to have to deal with anxiety. Bruce H. Hinrichs (2004) states that people with anxiety worry, feel stressed, and ruminate, which means repeatedly going over things in their mind (340). They are aware that their fear is unreasonable but are unable to overcome it. Even if they try to face their fears, the fear still lingers in the corner of their mind and always seems to get them. This discourages them from doing even the simplest chores like going to shops, talking to people or walking outside because they fear people watching them from home. Not on......middle of the paper......the model." Clinical Psychology Review 2 (2004): 744-745. Science Direct. Web. November 27, 2011. Richards, Thomas A.. " Cos 'is it social phobia/social anxiety?." Social Phobia/Social Anxiety Association. Web. November 27, 2011. Shirley, Brinkeroff. "Description of Treatment." Drug Therapy and Personality Disorder. Philadelphia: Mason Crest Publishers, 2004. 80- 85. Print. "Social anxiety disorder (social phobia) - Mayo Clinic. Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, August 2, 2011. Web November 27, 2011. .Wardy, Adrienne Shyness: The Biological Causes of Social Anxiety Disorder. " Serendip Home | Serendip's Exchange. Serendip, October 27, 2002. Web. November 27. 2011. .