Social anxiety disorder can affect anyone. However, it is more common in adolescents and young adults. The usual age of onset is 13 years. Patients with a history of childhood abuse, bullying and shy temperament are at higher risk. Additionally, people with family history of social anxiety disorder and past history of depressive disorder or other anxiety disorders, are at a higher risk than others.

Types of Social Anxiety Disorder

Social anxiety disorder can be classified as ‘generalised’ and ‘performance only’. People with a generalised type of social anxiety disorder feel anxious in almost all situations. For example, they might feel anxious even while interacting with the shopkeeper or waiter. They feel comfortable only with their family members and close friends. Gradually, they start avoiding social events.

On the other hand, the performance only type is more common (and less severe). It is commonly known as ‘stage fear’, and is characterised by intense fear and anxiety while performing in front of a large audience. These people do not face difficulty in day to day social situations. However, they feel extremely uncomfortable giving a speech or singing in front of an audience.

Symptoms and Diagnosis

Social anxiety disorder (often called Social Phobia) is one of the most common anxiety disorders. It is characterised by fear and anxiety in social situations. People with social anxiety disorder might be fearful that their behaviour will be negatively evaluated by others. Apart from this, they experience physical symptoms like dryness of mouth, sweating, shakiness or increased heart rate. In addition, they believe themselves to be socially inept.

As a result, people with social anxiety disorder often avoid social situations. In children, this can manifest as refusal to go to school or temper tantrums. DSM-5 defines that a person should have these symptoms for a period of at least 6 months, before being diagnosed as having social anxiety disorder.The diagnosis of social anxiety disorder based on clinical interview and examination by a Psychiatrist.

As of now, there are no laboratory tests to aid in the diagnosis. To make things difficult, social anxiety can be a symptom of multiple mental illnesses including depression, schizophrenia and personality disorders. Hence, one should not diagnose himself or herself with social anxiety disorder without consulting a Psychiatrist or Clinical Psychologist.

Treatment

Social anxiety disorder is a potentially treatable mental disorder. It is different from shyness or introversion, which is a personality trait. In addition, it leads to significant personal distress, social maladjustment and occupational impairment. Hence, all persons with social anxiety disorder should seek treatment for the same.

The treatment would depend upon the severity of the disorder. Patients with minimal symptoms may be treated with psychotherapy alone.

However, those with moderate to severe illness require combined treatment with medications and psychotherapy. Both medications and psychotherapy are effective for the treatment of this disorder.

Take home message

Social anxiety disorder is a common mental health disorder. It leads to intense anxiety in social situations due to fear of negative evaluation by others. There are effective treatment methods of social anxiety disorder including medications and psychological techniques. If you have symptoms of social anxiety disorder, you should consult a mental health professional, as there are effective treatment options available.