Social Anxiety Disorder

A chronic mental health condition in which social interactions cause irrational anxiety.

For people with social anxiety disorder, everyday social interactions cause irrational anxiety, fear, self-consciousness, and embarrassment.

Symptoms may include excess fear of situations in which one may be judged, worry about embarrassment or humiliation, or concern about offending someone.

Talk therapy and antidepressants can help increase confidence and improve ability to interact with others.

Cluster Number:
Wiki Number: PW208
Diagnosis: Social Anxiety Disorder
US Patients: 66% were co-morbid with another anxiety disorder, most commonly depression(1.49-3.5X)
World Patients:
Sex Ratio:
Age Onset:
Brain Area: amygdala becomes hyperactive, dopamine lower in the striatum, serotonin lower, anterior cingulate cortex-social pain!
Symptoms: fearing negative evaluation from others producing fear, anxiety and distress with impaired ability in social situations
Progression: stammering, rapid speehc, panic attacks, low self-esteem, sleep deprivation. Avoidance of social situations
Causes: 2/3 genetics or observational learning from a relative, socially isolated, insecurem shame, alcohol, core beliefs about self
Medications: SSRIs. Antidepressants, beta-blockers,
Therapies: CBT, Wolpe’s systematic-desensitization