Are you self-conscious about social situations? Are you afraid of being humiliated, embarrassed, or negatively judged by others? Do you avoid meeting new people or performing in public due to fear or anxiety?
If you have been feeling this way for at least 6 months and these feelings make it hard for you to do everyday tasks—such as talking to people at work or school—you may have a social anxiety disorder.
Social anxiety disorder is a common type of anxiety disorder. It is a marked fear or anxiety about one or more social situations in which the individual is exposed to possible scrutiny by others.
Examples include social interactions
- Having a conversation, meeting unfamiliar people
- Being observed (e.g., eating or drinking),
- Performing in front of others (e.g., working, dancing or giving a speech).
SAD impacts about 5.3 million people in the United States. It’s one of the most common mental health disorders, so it has been studied extensively and many forms of treatment have been developed and tested.