Symptoms used to diagnose
The ruleMarked fear of social situations where you might be judged, lasting 6 months or more, out of proportion and causing avoidance or distress.
Symptoms
- Fear of being watched or evaluated
- Fear of showing anxiety (blushing, shaking)
- Social situations almost always cause fear
- Avoiding or enduring them with dread
- Anticipatory anxiety days beforehand
- Replaying conversations afterwards
How diagnosis works
- Marked fear of social or performance situations.
- Situations are avoided or endured with intense distress, out of proportion to actual threat.
A diagnosis is made by a qualified clinician after a full assessment — this summary is to help you understand it, not to self-diagnose.
Commonly used medications
Therapies & support
- CBT focused on social anxiety
Sources
- 01Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, Text Revision (DSM-5-TR)
American Psychiatric Association, 2022
- 02ICD-11 for Mortality and Morbidity Statistics — Chapter 6: Mental, behavioural or neurodevelopmental disorders
World Health Organization, 2022
- 03The Maudsley Deprescribing Guidelines
Horowitz & Taylor, Wiley-Blackwell, 2024