What are the symptoms of social phobia in veterans?

The symptoms of social anxiety disorder (SAD) -- also known as social phobia -- in veterans, as well as the general public, are all triggered by a persistent, intense fear of being watched and judged by other people in social situations:

• Extreme self-consciousness
• Fear of embarrassment or humiliation
• Fear of speaking in public (formally or casually)
• Fear of eating or drinking in front of others
• Fear of being watched
• Fear of using public restrooms
• Blushing when talking or making eye contact
• Excessive sweating
• Rapid heartbeat
• Shortness of breath
• Dizziness or lightheadedness
• Trembling
• Difficulty talking
• Nausea
• Fear of embarrassment or humiliation
• Sense of detachment
• Feeling of loss of self-control

Not all veterans with SAD will have anxiety in every situation involving other people. Some will only have this reaction only in very specific situations.