Sufferers often know something is wrong. They may not know that there is a recognised condition called “social anxiety disorder” but they will usually be aware that they feel overly anxious in particular social/public situations.

The scope of the anxiety may be focused on specific types of social/public situations or generalised to almost any social/public encounter. It is often the intensity of the anxiety that differentiates social anxiety from shyness or self-consciousness.

Please see our page on Difference between Social Anxiety and Shyness

Everyone with social anxiety has their own unique pattern of things they find challenging, so that what is easy for one person might feel impossible to another. But some of the most common situations that can lead to social anxiety symptoms might include:
• small talk
• meeting people (including strangers)
• talking in meetings or in groups
• telephone calls
• lunch or coffee breaks with friends or colleagues
• starting or ending conversations
• eating or drinking while being observed
• entering a room or a shop alone
• parties and social events
• interacting with people you are attracted to
• asking for help or refunds or making a complaint

Anxiety symptoms experienced in the situations that sufferers find difficult can be intense and may include:
• racing thoughts • blushing • feeling hot or sweating • trembling or shaking • disjointed speech • racing heart • tension in head, neck, or shoulders • nausea or butterflies • mind going blank or hard to think straight

Sufferers will often fear being embarrassed or worry about being negatively evaluated by others. Anticipatory anxiety and situational avoidance are common, and individuals may endure social situations with a high level of discomfort.

Please also see the “Do I suffer from Social Anxiety” section of the NHS Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne And Wear: Social Anxiety – An NHS self help guide (PDF).

Screening questionnaires

There are also on-line screening questionnaires to assess whether you may have social anxiety such as those listed below. They should not be treated as a substitute for the medical advice of your own doctor or any other health care professional.

The Social Phobia Inventory (SPIN) is a self-rated scale designed for the screening and measurement of social anxiety disorder (17 Questions).

The Mini-SPIN (Mini Social Phobia Inventory) is the simplest test involves 3 questions that are answered using a 5-point scale for how socially anxious you feel.

Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale is another Social Anxiety Rating Scale, with a more complex scoring system.

Please also see our pages on :
Difference between Social Anxiety and Shyness

Difference between Social Anxiety and Performance Anxiety

International Websites:

Socialanxietyinstitute.org – Find out if you suffer social anxiety