The symptoms of social anxiety disorder can look different for everyone, though they usually fall into three categories: physical, emotional, and behavioral:
Physical symptoms of a social anxiety disorder include:
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Rapid heart rate
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Sweating
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Dizziness or lightheadedness
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Nausea or upset stomach
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Muscle tension
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Blushing
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Shaking or trembling
However, you don't need to be worried. As there are various effective treatment options for social anxiety disorder.
Emotional symptoms include:
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Fear of situations in which you may be judged or humiliated
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Intense fear of interacting with strangers
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Fear that others will notice you look anxious
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Fear that others will make fun of you or judge you
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Fear of anxiety or physical symptoms in social situations
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Expecting the worst possible consequences from every social interaction
Finally, behavioral symptoms might include:
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Avoiding common social situations, like attending parties or gatherings
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Difficulty making eye contact
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Difficulty starting or continuing conversation
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Avoiding speaking in front of others
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Over-analyzing your performance in front of others
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Experiencing tics, or repetitive muscle movements, during social interactions
How Is It Diagnosed?
Social anxiety disorder can only be diagnosed by a psychiatric provider, licensed therapist, or medical provider. They’ll usually conduct an assessment to evaluate your thoughts and behaviors before comparing them to the criteria listed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5).
The DSM-5 criteria for social anxiety disorder include:
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Persistent and intense fear of specific social situations because you believe you’ll be embarrassed or judged negatively.
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Excessive anxiety that is out of proportion to the situation.
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Distress that interferes with daily living.
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Avoidance of anxiety-inducing social situations.