Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders

Summary & key facts

This Healthline article explains social anxiety disorder in plain terms. It says the disorder causes strong fear or worry about social situations and about being judged. It often starts in the teen years and affects about 15 million American adults. The article describes common physical and mental symptoms, says the exact cause is not known but likely mixes biology, genes, and life events, explains how doctors use criteria from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders to diagnose it, and lists treatments such as talking therapies, group work, exposure therapy, and sometimes medication.

Key facts:

• Social anxiety disorder is when social situations cause intense fear or anxiety because someone worries they will be judged or embarrassed.
• About 15 million American adults have social anxiety disorder, and it usually begins during the teenage years.
• Common physical symptoms include blushing, nausea, sweating, trembling, dizziness, and a fast heart rate.
• Common psychological signs include intense worry before and after events, avoiding social situations, feeling extremely self-conscious, and sometimes feeling that your mind goes blank.
• There is no single medical test for social anxiety; doctors use criteria from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders to decide if someone has it. One criterion is that the fear usually lasts 6 months or more and disrupts daily life.
• Researchers do not know the exact cause. Most experts think it comes from a mix of brain chemistry, genetics, and life experiences such as bullying, abuse, or negative interactions.
• Treatment can help. Options include talking therapies like cognitive behavioral therapy (which teaches new ways to think and act), acceptance and commitment therapy (which uses mindfulness and values), group therapy or support groups, exposure therapy (facing feared situations bit by bit), and sometimes medication.
• Social anxiety is different from normal shyness because it is persistent and can stop people from doing everyday tasks like shopping, attending class, or going to work.

Topics

Human Health and Disease

Categories

Health Sciences Medicine Pediatrics, Perinatology and Child Health

Tags

Classification of mental disorders Diagnostic Classification of Mental Health and Developmental Disorders of Infancy and Early Childhood Mental health Prevalence of mental disorders Psychiatry Psychology

Conditions & symptoms

Anxiety Anxiety or worry Feeling disconnected from others Panic