Shyness is a temperament. Social anxiety disorder is a fear of being judged, embarrassed or humiliated that is strong enough to shape your life: the meetings you skip, the calls you let ring, the relationships you never start. This self-assessment covers the experiences clinicians ask about when evaluating social anxiety disorder (also called social phobia). Answer about the past six months.
This self-assessment is for information only. It is not a diagnostic tool and cannot replace an evaluation by a licensed mental health professional. If you are in crisis or thinking about harming yourself, call or text 988 or call 911.
Social Anxiety Self-Assessment
- Do you feel intense fear or anxiety in situations where you might be observed or judged: meeting new people, speaking in a group, eating or writing in front of others, being the center of attention?
- Are you afraid you will act in a way, or show anxiety symptoms such as blushing, sweating or a shaky voice, that others will judge negatively?
- Do these situations almost always trigger the fear, rather than only occasionally?
- Do you avoid them when you can, or endure them with intense distress?
- Is the fear out of proportion to any real threat in the situation?
- Has this lasted six months or more?
- Does it interfere with work, school, relationships or daily life, or cause you significant distress?
- Do you spend a lot of time before events worrying, and afterward replaying what you said or did?
- Do you use alcohol or other substances to get through social situations?
- Do you avoid opportunities, such as jobs, dates, classes or friendships, because of the fear?
What Your Answers May Mean
Social anxiety disorder is diagnosed when marked fear of social situations, driven by fear of negative judgment, is persistent (six months or more), leads to avoidance or intense distress, is out of proportion to the situation and impairs functioning (questions 1 through 7). Questions 8 through 10 describe common consequences. If your answers fit that pattern, an evaluation is worthwhile; social anxiety responds well to treatment, and it is one of the most common anxiety disorders. Only a licensed clinician can diagnose it, and it often overlaps with depression, other anxiety disorders and substance use.
What Social Anxiety Disorder Is
Social anxiety disorder affects about 7 percent of U.S. adults in a given year and typically begins in the teenage years. It can be limited to performance situations, such as public speaking, or generalized across most social interaction. Because alcohol reliably reduces the anxiety in the short term, social anxiety is a common path into problem drinking. Learn more about social anxiety disorder.
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How Social Anxiety Is Treated
- Cognitive behavioral therapy with graded exposure to feared situations, the best-supported treatment
- Medication, usually SSRIs or SNRIs; beta-blockers for specific performance situations
- Group therapy, which doubles as exposure practice
- Treatment of co-occurring alcohol or substance use in the same plan
- Intensive programs when social anxiety is disabling or paired with depression or substance use
See non-addictive anxiety medications, online counseling (which many people with social anxiety find an easier first step) and inpatient mental health treatment.
Want to talk to someone about your results? Our admissions team can arrange a confidential assessment with a licensed clinician and explain treatment options, from outpatient therapy to inpatient care. Verify your insurance or call any time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is social anxiety just shyness?
No. Shyness is a trait; social anxiety disorder is a persistent, impairing fear of judgment that leads to avoidance.
Can social anxiety be treated online?
Yes. Telehealth CBT is effective, and starting from home lowers the barrier for many people.
Does drinking to cope mean I have a drinking problem?
It is a warning sign. Using alcohol to manage anxiety is one of the most common routes to alcohol use disorder, and treating the anxiety reduces the need.
Does insurance cover treatment for social anxiety?
Most plans cover mental health treatment under parity law. Verify your coverage in minutes.
