Performance anxiety and social anxiety are discernible but related conditions. Performance anxiety can be considered a specific sub-type of social anxiety that focuses on situations where an individual is being observed or evaluated during a performance (speech, presentation, being on stage) while social anxiety disorder encompasses a broader fear of social situations and interactions (please see technical definitions of social anxiety).
According to American Psychiatric Association (DSM-5-TR): Individuals with the performance only type of social anxiety disorder have performance fears that are typically most impairing in their professional lives (e.g., musicians, dancers, performers, athletes) or in roles that require regular public speaking. Performance fears may also manifest in work, school, or academic settings in which regular public presentations are required. Individuals with performance only social anxiety disorder do not fear or avoid non-performance social situations.
Similarities between performance and social anxiety
Irrespective of the type of social anxiety the physiological effects can range from mild to more extreme forms that border on panic. See fight or flight response and panic attacks.
For those with the more general forms of social anxiety even ordinary interactions can feel “like a performance” and illicit the same physical and psychological response e.g. a social gathering of work colleagues, friends or family, small talk, or just being observed in a particular public situation. The very fact that the situations are so ordinary – and the anxiety so disproportionate – can become part of a cycle of self-consciousness, distress and avoidance. See the social anxiety maintenance cycle.
Are performance scenarios hard for those with social anxiety?
For many with social anxiety, the more overt performance scenarios – a speech, presentation, work meeting, going on stage, being centre of attention etc – may make social anxiety symptoms even stronger. It can be harder to hide and knowing that others may see you struggle can often make anxiety even worse.
Does everyone with social anxiety have performance anxiety?
Everyone’s social anxiety is different, some may actually find performing, presenting or leading a work meeting relatively comfortable, it can be other, simpler-sounding, social or public situations that are the trigger for their social anxiety fears.
Children and performance anxiety
For young people, early experience of performance anxiety can be reading out loud in class, being asked a question with everyone listening, being asked to be part of a school play or other performance scenario. Indeed, it may be any social interaction where they become the centre of attention. It can be especially important for young people and parents to be aware of early signs of social anxiety, including performance anxiety. Please see our pages on children and social anxiety.
Teenagers and young Adults
For teenagers and young adults, the increasing need to give presentations as part of academic placements or qualifications can be especially challenging and lead to considerable distress. Many academic facilities have dedicated wellbeing teams whose role is to support students experiencing difficulties with their mental health during their course or studies. Please see our pages on teenagers and social anxiety, managing social anxiety at university.
Social anxiety in the performance or entertainment world
There are even some entertainers – who are full of confidence on TV, radio on stage or at a “gig” but have social anxiety in other more ordinary scenarios. See celebrities and SA.
