What is social anxiety disorder (social phobia)?
It’s normal to feel nervous in some social situations. For example, going on a date or giving a presentation may cause that feeling of butterflies in your stomach. But in social anxiety disorder, also called social phobia, everyday interactions cause significant anxiety, self-consciousness and embarrassment because you fear being scrutinized or judged negatively by others.
In social anxiety disorder, fear and anxiety lead to avoidance that can disrupt your life. Severe stress can affect your relationships, daily routines, work, school or other activities.
Social anxiety disorder can be a chronic mental health condition, but learning coping skills in psychotherapy and taking medications can help you gain confidence and improve your ability to interact with others.
Symptoms of Social Phobia
If you have social anxiety disorder, you have anxiety or fear in specific or all social situations, including:
- Meeting new people.
- Performing in front of people.
- Taking or making phone calls.
- Using public restrooms.
- Asking for help in a restaurant, store or other public place.
- Dating.
- Answering a question in front of people.
- Eating in front of people.
- Participating in an interview.
A core feature of social anxiety disorder is that you’re afraid of being judged, rejected and/or humiliated.
How is social anxiety disorder diagnosed?
A healthcare provider such as a clinician, psychologist, psychiatrist or therapist can diagnose a person with social anxiety disorder based on the criteria for social anxiety disorder listed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) published by the American Psychiatric Association. The criteria for social anxiety disorder under the DSM-5 includes:
- Experiencing continuing, intense fear or anxiety about social situations because you believe you may be judged negatively or humiliated by others.
- Avoiding social situations that may cause you anxiety, or enduring them with intense fear or anxiety.
- Experiencing intense anxiety that’s out of proportion to the situation.
- Experiencing anxiety and/or distress from social situations that interfere with your day-to-day life.
- Experiencing fear or anxiety in social situations that aren’t better explained by a medical condition, medication or substance abuse.
Your healthcare provider or another clinician will likely see if the DSM-5 criteria match your experience by asking questions about your symptoms and history. They may also ask you questions about your medications and do a physical exam to make sure your medication or a medical condition isn’t causing your symptoms.
A person typically has to have had symptoms of social anxiety disorder for at least six months in order to be diagnosed.