Social Anxiety Disorder

Condition Basics

What is social anxiety disorder?

Social anxiety disorder (also called social phobia) is a condition in which a person is extremely anxious about what they will say or do in front of other people. This includes public speaking and day-to-day social situations. But it's more than just being shy or nervous before public speaking. The fear can start weeks or months before an event.

Some people fear only one or a few types of social situations. For other people, many situations cause stress. This problem affects your daily life. You may be so stressed or afraid that you avoid being in public, such as missing work and school.

What causes it?

Doctors don't know what causes social anxiety disorder. They think it may run in families. But they aren't sure if it's because of genetics or a response to a traumatic situation.

What are the symptoms?

Social anxiety disorder causes a fear of being judged or humiliated in public. But it's more than being nervous before public speaking. You may avoid being around other people. It can affect your daily life and activities, including work or school. Symptoms usually last about 6 months or longer.

How is it diagnosed?

To diagnose social anxiety disorder, your doctor will ask about your symptoms and past health. The doctor may ask other questions to see how you are doing emotionally. Blood or urine tests may also be done. They can rule out other medical conditions that can cause similar symptoms (such as hyperthyroidism).

How is social anxiety disorder treated?

Treatment of social anxiety disorder includes counseling and sometimes medicine. Whether you need medicine depends on how much the condition affects your daily life. If you already feel anxious around other people, it may be hard to ask for help. But treatment works for many people and can improve your life.

Symptoms

Social anxiety disorder causes a fear of being judged or humiliated in public. But it's more than just being shy or nervous before public speaking. It can affect your daily life and activities, including work or school. You may also avoid being around other people. It can cause both emotional and physical symptoms before or during a social event. Emotional symptoms include feeling extremely anxious, nervous, sad, or scared. The anxiety can cause physical symptoms. You may blush, sweat, or feel shaky. Your heart may beat faster than normal. And you may have a hard time focusing. People with social anxiety disorder usually have symptoms for around 6 months or longer.

Symptoms may differ in adults and children. Adults and teens with the disorder usually know that their fears of being publicly humiliated are extreme or excessive. But children who have this disorder may not.

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What Happens

If you have social anxiety disorder, even common social situations can cause overwhelming fear and anxiety. You may be afraid to eat in public, meet new people, use a public restroom, or speak in front of others. You may avoid being around other people. This can affect your daily activities, including work or school.

People with social anxiety disorder may underachieve at work or at school to avoid attention or working in a group. They tend to have few friendships. They may have trouble dating or forming relationships. In severe cases, they may have other conditions (such as depression or substance use disorder).

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Exams and Tests

To diagnose social anxiety disorder, your doctor will ask about your symptoms and past health. The doctor may ask other questions to see how you are doing emotionally. Blood or urine tests may also be done. They can rule out other medical conditions that can cause similar symptoms (such as hyperthyroidism).

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