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Symptoms of social anxiety disorder

With social anxiety disorder, your mind and body react intensely to social interactions. The underlying feelings are fear and worry. The fear is out of proportion to the actual threat the situation poses.

These feelings can lead to physical symptoms.

This condition ranges in severity. You may have these symptoms during specific types of social situations or most of them.

Emotional and behavioral symptoms

Thoughts and behaviors that can be signs of social anxiety disorder include:

• Avoiding places where there are people
• Fear or worry that other people will judge you negatively or reject you
• Feeling very self-conscious or embarrassed in front of people
• Finding it scary and hard to be around other people, especially strangers
• Your mind "going blank" and not knowing what to say

Physical symptoms

Physical symptoms in social situations can include:

• A stiff body posture
• Avoiding eye contact
• Blushing and sweating
• Intense nervousness to the point of nausea
• Shaking and a racing heartbeat
• Elevated blood pressure and/or "white coat syndrome"

Social anxiety disorder causes

Researchers don't know the exact cause of social anxiety disorder. But they think many factors contribute to it, like:

• Growing up with overly controlling parents
• Childhood stress and trauma
• Brain changes, which may or may not be genetic

Complications of this condition

Without treatment, social anxiety disorder can greatly affect your life. It can lead to:

• Dropping out of school
• Declining job performance
• Relationship issues
• An overall decreased quality of life

It can also increase your risk of other anxiety disorders, mood disorders and substance use disorders.

The good news is that treatment can make a big difference. It may help prevent these complications.