Taijin Kyofusho

Taijin kyofusho is a Japanese culture-specific syndrome whose name translates as the disorder of fear of interpersonal relations; those affected tend to be extremely embarrassed about themselves or fearful of displeasing others through their own bodily functions or appearance, including their face, odor, actions or expression, with examples such as a fear of eye contact, blushing, or giving off an unpleasant facial expression or body odor. Its symptoms include avoiding social outings and activities, a rapid heartbeat, shortness of breath, panic attacks, trembling and feelings of dread and panic around other people, arising mainly from emotional trauma or a psychological defense mechanism; it is considered a social phobia based on fear and anxiety, more common in men than women, with a lifetime prevalence estimated at 3 to 13 percent.