Common Situations that are typically Avoided or Feared:
- Attending work or school
- Entering a room where people are already seated
- Returning items to a store
- Calling someone in public
- Making eye contact
- Dating
- Attending parties or social gatherings
- Using a public restroom
- Easting in front of others
Behavioral Symptoms of Social Anxiety Disorder include:
- Fear of interacting with strangers
- Worry of embarrassing or humiliating oneself
- Avoidance of being the center of attention out of fear of embarrassment
- Intense fear and anxiety during social situations
- Analysis of one’s performance in a social encounter after it happened
- Expectation of worst outcome from a negative experience during a social encounter.
Physical Symptoms of Social Anxiety Disorder include:
- Trembling
- Sweating
- Dizziness
- Muscle Tension
- Rapid heartbeat
- Blushing
- Nausea
- Fast breathing
Social Anxiety Disorder arises from a complex interaction between the environment and the human biological system. Inherited traits, brain structure, and environment all can play a role in leading to intense fear, anxiety, and avoidance in social situations.