Social Anxiety Disorder

What is social anxiety disorder (SAD)? 

Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD) — previously called Social Phobia — is when social or performance situations trigger intense anxiety and fear. You might feel especially anxious around unfamiliar people or in new situations, worrying about being watched, judged, or evaluated by others. For many people with SAD, avoiding social interactions feels like the safest option. 

SAD is more than shyness. 

Most people experience some degree of shyness from time to time. But people with SAD find that it significantly affects their everyday lives. They often avoid doing things, meeting people, or taking on new challenges or opportunities because of their fear. 

What are the symptoms of SAD? 

• People with SAD usually fear acting in a way they believe will be embarrassing or humiliating. In addition, people with SAD are often afraid that others will notice their physical symptoms of anxiety (e.g., sweating, blushing). 

• When people with SAD face feared social situations, their physical symptoms may take the form of a panic attack (i.e., a discrete period of intense and sudden fear, apprehension or terror, with physical symptoms such as heart palpitations, blushing, trembling, sweating and faintness). 

• People may fear specific aspects of social situations, such as writing or eating in public, using public toilets, or being observed by others at work. 

• People with SAD usually recognize that their fear is unreasonable or excessive. 

• Many people show signs of shyness and inhibition in social situations, but people with SAD can experience considerable disruption to their daily lives, reducing their quality of life overall. Some individuals with SAD are unable to be out in public and experience significant distress when they enter social situations. 

• People with SAD can experience intense distress as a result of their symptoms and may have difficulties maintaining their normal routine. People with SAD may also experience disruptions in their occupational, academic, and/or social functioning. 

Who gets SAD? 

SAD typically develops in adolescence. SAD can develop after the age of 25, but this is uncommon.