Social Anxiety Disorder Quiz
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Anxiety attack
Fear of people
Fear of public speaking
Avoiding family gatherings
Anxiety flare up
Fear of judgment
Fear of social interaction
Feeling uneasy
Anxiety in public places
Heart is racing
Difficulty speaking
Fear of criticism and rejection
Not seeing your symptoms? No worries!
What is Social Anxiety Disorder?
This is also known as social phobia and is a mental health condition characterized by a constant fear of being watched and judged by others. It can impact work, school, and other daily activities.
Typical Symptoms of Social Anxiety Disorder
- Feeling scared or anxious about blushing
- Feeling flustered or scared
- Stuttering / stammering
- Episodes of sudden, severe anxiety or fear
- Stressed over daily life
- Fears that are sometimes irrational or illogical
- My anxiety doesn't go away or keeps coming back repeatedly
- Often feel uneasy and restless; unable to feel calm or at peace
Diagnostic Questions for Social Anxiety Disorder
Your doctor may ask these questions to check for this disease:
- Are you anxious about blushing e.g. from embarrassment?
- Do you feel overwhelmed or frightened every day?
- Do you stutter or stammer?
- Do you experience sudden, intense anxiety or fear?
- Do you feel stressed or unhappy about going to work or school?
Treatment of Social Anxiety Disorder
The treatment depends on the severity of the disorder's impact on your life. Treatment typically involves counseling or talk therapy, medications, or a combination of both.
Reviewed By:
Weston S. Ferrer, MD (Psychiatry)
Weston Ferrer is a physician leader, psychiatrist, and clinical informaticist based in San Francisco. With nearly a decade of experience in academia and more recent immersion in industry, he has made significant contributions to the fields of digital health, health tech, and healthcare innovation. | As an Associate Professor at UCSF, Weston was involved in teaching, leadership, and clinical practice, focusing on the intersection of technology and mental health. He recently led mental health clinical for Verily (formerly Google Life Sciences), where he applied his expertise to develop innovative solutions for mental healthcare using the tools of AI/ML, digital therapeutics, clinical analytics, and more.. | Weston is known for his unique ability to innovate and support product development while bringing pragmatism to technology entrepreneurship. He is a strong advocate for patient-centered care and is committed to leveraging technology to improve the health and well-being of individuals and communities. |
Yu Shirai, MD (Psychiatry)
Dr. Shirai works at the Yotsuya Yui Clinic for mental health treatment for English and Portuguese-speaking patients. He treats a wide range of patients from neurodevelopmental disorders to dementia in children and participates in knowledge sharing through the Diversity Clinic.
Content updated on Oct 18, 2024
Following the Medical Content Editorial Policy
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- Speech is not smooth- stammering or stuttering
- Repeating sounds or syllables, prolonging sounds, or being stuck on a word
Symptoms Related to Social Anxiety Disorder
Diseases Related to Social Anxiety Disorder
FAQs
Q.
Afraid of Rejection? The Reality of Avoidant Personality Disorder & Medical Next Steps
A.
Avoidant personality disorder is a treatable condition marked by pervasive avoidance driven by fear of rejection, chronic feelings of inadequacy, and high sensitivity to criticism that can disrupt work, relationships, and wellbeing. There are several factors and next steps to consider; see below to understand more. Next steps typically include using a symptom check, then seeing a primary care or mental health professional for evaluation and a plan centered on CBT, with medication when anxiety or depression co-occur, plus gradual exposure and lifestyle supports, and urgent care for any self harm thoughts or severe symptoms; complete guidance is outlined below.
References:
* Rø C, Nordahl HM. Avoidant personality disorder: a review of current research and future directions. Curr Opin Psychiatry. 2022 Mar 1;35(2):100-106. doi: 10.1097/YCO.0000000000000780. PMID: 35080479.
* Nordahl HM, Nordahl K. The conceptualisation and assessment of avoidant personality disorder: a systematic review. Nord J Psychiatry. 2017 May;71(3):195-201. doi: 10.1080/08039488.2016.1264420. Epub 2016 Dec 9. PMID: 27936993.
* Alden S, Alden AR. Treatment of Avoidant Personality Disorder: A Review. J Psychosoc Nurs Ment Health Serv. 2020 Jul;58(7):21-26. doi: 10.3928/02793695-20200615-05. PMID: 32599742.
* Stangier U, Hauschild S, Neufeld J, Moritz A. A Systematic Review of Psychotherapeutic Interventions for Avoidant Personality Disorder. J Clin Psychol. 2022 Aug;78(8):1537-1560. doi: 10.1002/jclp.23276. Epub 2022 Feb 16. PMID: 35166299.
* Nordahl HM, Rø C, Hagtvet K, Skårderud F. Schema therapy for avoidant personality disorder: current research and future directions. Curr Opin Psychiatry. 2023 Jan 1;36(1):47-52. doi: 10.1097/YCO.0000000000000832. Epub 2022 Oct 19. PMID: 36263592.
Q.
Trapped by Phobias? Why Your Brain Triggers Fear & Medically Approved Steps
A.
Phobias are real, biologically based anxiety disorders where an oversensitive amygdala and learned fear pathways trigger fast fight-or-flight reactions, causing intense anxiety and avoidance that disrupt daily life. Medically proven help includes CBT with gradual exposure as first-line, sometimes combined with SSRIs or beta blockers and supportive habits, while avoidance usually makes fear worse and urgent symptoms like chest pain or fainting need prompt care. There are several factors to consider, so see the complete guidance below for key details that can shape your next steps.
References:
* Lanius, R. A., Frewen, P. A., & Tiller, C. R. (2018). Neural circuits of phobias. *Handbook of Clinical Neurology*, *155*, 387-399. doi: 10.1016/B978-0-444-64077-2.00025-X
* Kredlow, M. A., Auerbach, R. P., Dean-O'Donnell, S., & White, B. A. (2017). Mechanisms of exposure therapy for anxiety disorders: A review. *Clinical Psychology Review*, *56*, 55-68. doi: 10.1016/j.cpr.2017.05.004
* Hofmann, S. G., Ressler, K. J., & Norrholm, S. D. (2020). Specific Phobias: Epidemiology, Pathophysiology, and Treatment Options. *Psychiatric Clinics of North America*, *43*(1), 175-186. doi: 10.1016/j.psc.2019.10.003
* O'Connell, K., & McCarthy, J. (2022). Pharmacological Treatments for Specific Phobia: A Narrative Review. *Current Psychiatry Reports*, *24*(3), 113-119. doi: 10.1007/s11920-022-01314-z
* Kim, S. J., & Choi, H. (2019). The Amygdala and Emotion Regulation: A Potential Target for Phobia Treatment. *Clinical Psychopharmacology and Neuroscience*, *17*(4), 461-469. doi: 10.9758/cpn.2019.17.4.461
Q.
Social Anxiety? Why Your Brain Panics & Medical Next Steps
A.
Social anxiety is a common, treatable condition where the brain’s threat system mislabels social situations as danger, activating the amygdala and fight or flight so you get a racing heart, shaking, blushing, and a blank mind even when you are safe. Medical next steps usually start with cognitive behavioral therapy, with medications like SSRIs or SNRIs, targeted beta blockers for performance situations, and supportive habits, plus guidance on diagnosis and when to seek urgent care. There are several factors to consider for your specific symptoms and goals, see below for complete details that can influence which steps you take next.
References:
* Barbosa, L. B. B., Barbosa, L. A. S., Sampaio, F. S., Magalhães, A. C., Pires, L. A., Garcia, F. D. R., ... & Rocha, F. F. L. (2020). Neurobiology of social anxiety disorder: a narrative review. *Trends in Psychiatry and Psychotherapy*, *42*(4), e20190130.
* Leichsenring, F., Steinert, C., & Rabung, S. (2019). Pharmacological and psychological treatments for social anxiety disorder in adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis. *Depression and Anxiety*, *36*(7), 638-654.
* Wirth, B. E., Rumpf, K. A., Steiger, S. V., & Schoretsanitis, A. (2023). The Social Brain in Social Anxiety: A Review of Neural Mechanisms. *Neuropsychiatric Disease and Treatment*, *19*, 2005-2019.
* Lo, T. J. H. H. B., Fong, E., Yuen, L. P. K., Cheung, E. H. Y., & Tang, B. K. T. (2022). Efficacy of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Social Anxiety Disorder: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials. *Journal of Clinical Psychology*, *78*(10), 1952-1976.
* Katz, I. R., & Papp, L. A. (2021). Pharmacotherapy for Social Anxiety Disorder: A Review of Current and Emerging Treatment Options. *Current Psychiatry Reports*, *23*(3), 16.
Q.
Afraid to Leave Home? Why Your Brain Triggers Agoraphobia & Medical Next Steps
A.
Agoraphobia is a common, real, and treatable anxiety disorder where an overactive amygdala and fear learning link everyday places with panic, driving avoidance that worsens symptoms; it often coexists with panic disorder and can be influenced by genetics, stress, trauma, and medical issues. Key next steps are to see a clinician to confirm the diagnosis and rule out look-alikes such as social anxiety, thyroid or heart rhythm problems, then start CBT with gradual exposure and consider SSRIs or SNRIs alongside sleep, exercise, and caffeine limits, while seeking urgent care for red flags like chest pain, severe shortness of breath, fainting, or new neurologic symptoms. There are several factors to consider for your situation, including how to structure exposure and when to use medication, so see the complete guidance below.
References:
* Ito M, Okazaki M, Ito N, Fukao M. Neural correlates of agoraphobia: a review of neuroimaging studies. Psychiatry Clin Neurosci. 2017 Jul;71(7):451-460. doi: 10.1111/pcn.12502. Epub 2017 Mar 29. PMID: 28247547.
* Bandelow B, Lichte C, Rudolf S, Laudien K, Wingenfeld K, Röver C, Plag J, Langguth B, Rufer M, Läsicke M, Wiltfang J, Biedermann NC. The neurobiology and treatment of agoraphobia. CNS Spectr. 2019 Jun;24(3):283-294. doi: 10.1017/S109285291900010X. Epub 2019 May 14. PMID: 31084651.
* Pommier B, Vignat J, de Chazeron I, Lançon C, Llorca PM, Boussard M. Management of Agoraphobia: A Narrative Review. Curr Psychiatry Rep. 2021 Jun 2;23(7):44. doi: 10.1007/s11920-021-01255-0. PMID: 34076045.
* Brandt C, Krüger A, Rauschenberg J, Walter M, Straube B, Domschke K, Straube T. Neurobiology of panic disorder and agoraphobia: an update. Dialogues Clin Neurosci. 2023 Dec;25(4):259-270. doi: 10.31887/DCNS.2023.25.4/tstraube. PMID: 38239023; PMCID: PMC10793617.
* Schneider S, Schmidt SM, Henningsen P, Linde K, Van den Bergh O, Hoyer J. Psychosocial treatments for panic disorder with or without agoraphobia: An updated meta-analysis of efficacy and factors associated with treatment outcome. Depress Anxiety. 2023 Aug;40(8):723-739. doi: 10.1002/da.23381. Epub 2022 Nov 25. PMID: 36427388.
Q.
Am I a narcissist, how can I tell?
A.
There are several factors to consider—see below to understand more. Narcissism exists on a spectrum; persistent patterns of grandiosity, entitlement, lack of empathy, and attention‑seeking that show up across settings and cause distress or impairment point toward Narcissistic Personality Disorder. The details below cover the two types (grandiose and vulnerable), validated ways to assess (NPI and clinical evaluation), practical next steps (journaling, feedback, symptom checks, therapy options), look‑alike conditions that can change your plan, and when to seek urgent help.
References:
Raskin R, & Terry H. (1988). A principal-components analysis of the Narcissistic Personality Inventory… J Pers Soc Psychol, 3191166.
Miller JD, Campbell WK, Pilkonis PA, et al. (2011). Grandiose and vulnerable narcissism and the DSM-5 pathological personality trait… Journal of Personality Disorders, 21171740.
Kim SU, Seo YS, Lee HA, et al. (2014). Liver stiffness predicts hepatic events in patients with hepatitis B-related… Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol, 24790965.
Q.
Is being a narcissist a medical condition?
A.
Yes—when narcissistic traits form a persistent pattern causing impairment and meet DSM-5 criteria, it’s diagnosed as Narcissistic Personality Disorder, a medical mental health condition (affecting about 6% of people); everyday self-centered behavior alone is not. There are several factors to consider; see below for the specific diagnostic criteria, signs to watch for, treatment options, and next-step guidance (including when to seek professional help).
References:
Stinson FS, Dawson DA, et al. (2008). Prevalence, correlates, disability, and comorbidity of DSM-IV narcis… J Clin Psychiatry, 18557555.
Friedrich-Rust M, Ong MF, et al. (2008). Accuracy of transient elastography for the diagnosis of advanced fibrosi… Gastroenterology, 18395018.
Tsochatzis EA, Gurusamy KS, et al. (2014). Liver stiffness measurement selects patients with compensated cirrh… J Hepatol, 24238921.
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Link to full study:
https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2024.08.29.24312810v1References
Leichsenring F, Leweke F. Social Anxiety Disorder. N Engl J Med. 2017 Jun 8;376(23):2255-2264. doi: 10.1056/NEJMcp1614701. PMID: 28591542.
https://www.nejm.org/doi/10.1056/NEJMcp1614701Horenstein A, Morrison AS, Goldin P, Ten Brink M, Gross JJ, Heimberg RG. Sleep quality and treatment of social anxiety disorder. Anxiety Stress Coping. 2019 Jul;32(4):387-398. doi: 10.1080/10615806.2019.1617854. Epub 2019 May 13. PMID: 31082285; PMCID: PMC6698895.
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/10615806.2019.1617854Asher M, Asnaani A, Aderka IM. Gender differences in social anxiety disorder: A review. Clin Psychol Rev. 2017 Aug;56:1-12. doi: 10.1016/j.cpr.2017.05.004. Epub 2017 May 30. PMID: 28578248.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0272735816305177?via%3DihubPelissolo A, Abou Kassm S, Delhay L. Therapeutic strategies for social anxiety disorder: where are we now? Expert Rev Neurother. 2019 Dec;19(12):1179-1189. doi: 10.1080/14737175.2019.1666713. Epub 2019 Sep 13. PMID: 31502896.
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/14737175.2019.1666713Cremers HR, Roelofs K. Social anxiety disorder: a critical overview of neurocognitive research. Wiley Interdiscip Rev Cogn Sci. 2016 Jul;7(4):218-32. doi: 10.1002/wcs.1390. Epub 2016 May 30. PMID: 27240280.
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/wcs.1390