SOC I A L A N X I E T Y

D IS O R D E R
 SOCIAL ANXIETY DISORDER
Social anxiety disorder (formerly
known as social phobia) is a mental
health condition where you
experience intense and ongoing fear
of being judged negatively and/or
watched by others.
 SOCIA ANXIETY DISORDER
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.
 MODERATE EXTREME
MILD social
SOCIAL SOCIAL
ANXIETY
ANXIETY ANXIETY

LEVELS OF SOCIAL ANXIETY

 MILD SOCIAL ANXIETY
A person with mild social anxiety may
experience the physical and psychological
symptoms of social anxiety but still
participate in, or endure, social situations.
They may also only experience symptoms in
certain social situations.
 MODERATE SOCIAL ANXIETY

A person with moderate social anxiety

may experience physical and
psychological symptoms of social
anxiety but still participate in some
social situations while avoiding other
types of social situations.
 EXTREME SOCIAL ANXIETY

A person with extreme social anxiety may experience

more intense symptoms of social anxiety, such as a
panic attack, in social situations. Because of this, people
with extreme social anxiety usually avoid social
situations at all costs. A person with extreme social
anxiety likely has symptoms in all or many types of
social situations.
 CAUSES
The exact cause of social anxiety disorder is unknown,
but it may result from a combination of factors.

• emotional, physical, or other kinds of

abuse
• negative interactions with peers
• overcontrolling parenting styles
• having an insecure attachment style
 SYMPTOMS
• Physical and physiological symptoms of social anxiety disorder can
include:
• Blushing, sweating, shaking or feeling your heart race in social
situations.
• Feeling very nervous to the point of feeling nauseated in social
situations.
• Not making much eye contact when interacting with others.
• Having a stiff body posture when you’re around other people.
 SYMPTOMS
• Thoughts and behaviors that can be signs of social anxiety disorder include:
• Being very self-conscious in front of other people.
• Feeling embarrassed or awkward in front of other people.
• Feeling your mind “go blank” and not knowing what to say to other people.
• Feeling very afraid or worried that other people will judge you negatively or
reject you.
• Finding it scary and hard to be around other people, especially strangers.
• Avoiding places where there are people.
 TREATMENTS
Social anxiety disorder is highly treatable with
cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and/or
medication such as antidepressants (typically
selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors also known as
SSRIs or beta-blockers).