Symptoms of Social Anxiety Disorder

If you have social anxiety disorder, you may have the following symptoms during social interactions:

Blushing
Excessive sweating
Trembling
Dry throat and mouth
Muscle twitches
Intense anxiety
Dizziness
Rapid heart beat

These visible symptoms can heighten the fear of disapproval and the symptoms themselves can become an additional focus of fear. Fear of symptoms can create a vicious cycle: you may worry about having these symptoms, which makes you more likely to actually experience them.

Any public situation, familiar or unfamiliar, formal or informal, can lead to symptoms of social anxiety disorder. Common examples include:

Being teased or criticized
Being the center of attention
Meeting new people
Interacting with authority figures
Interacting with members of the opposite sex
Eating, writing, or speaking in public
Using public toilets

Social anxiety disorder can be broken into two categories. The specific or performance type is limited to only one type of situation—such as a fear of speaking in formal or informal situations, or eating or drinking in front of others. With the most severe form (the generalized type of social anxiety disorder), you may experience symptoms almost anytime you are around other people.

References:

Schneier FR. Clinical practice. Social anxiety disorder. N Engl J Med. 2006;355:1029-1036.

Social anxiety disorder (social phobia). Anxiety Disorders of America website. Available at: http://www.adaa.org/GettingHelp/AnxietyDisorders/SocialPhobia.asp . Updated October 2008. Accessed October 30, 2008.

Social phobia (social anxiety disorder). National Institute of Mental Health website. Available at: http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/anxiety-disorders/social-phobia-social-anxiety-disorder.shtml . Updated October 2008. Accessed October 30, 2008.

Last reviewed July 2008 by ]]>Theodor B. Rais, MD]]>

Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.