How do i know if i have social anxiety disorder?

Social Anxiety D/O: Do you become anxious/fearful/ embarrassed in every day interactions with others? Is hard for you talk to other people or look them in the eyes? Do you go out of your way to avoid interacting with others? Are you afraid that other people are judging you ; that anything you do might lead to a humiliating situation? If yes to these, does it impact your job, school, ; daily living? Recommend eval.

Avoidance & Drea: Shyness is not same as social anxiety. People w/social anxiety repeatedly avoid social situations b/c they dread feeling embarrassed or judged/shamed by others. (See http://ow.ly/EXo0z) Gradual exposure 2 those sitn's -easier ones at 1st, then harder-really helps. Tools 4 managing social anx: http://ow.ly/EXnfP | But anything that interferes w/building relationships seems worth working on!

Ask yourself: If you're afraid of doing something humiliating or embarrassing in front of people, such as meeting new people or eating or writing in public. Do you avoid or dread social situations in which others may observe you? Social anxiety usually starts in childhood or early adulthood. It occurs in about 11% of the U.S. Population. For a definite diagnosis, talk to a mental health professional.

Psychiatric eval.: Symptoms of a social anxiety disorder can including being worried about being judged by others or doing something to embarrass yourself around others. You could turn pink, sweat, tremble, suddenly find it hard to talk or make eye contact or have a shaky voice. You might avoid doing things w people so that you don't do something embarrassing ; you likely make an effort to never be the center of att.

Fill out the: Liebowitz social anxiety scale which you can take at: www.Socialanxietysupport.Com/disorder/liebowitz liebowitz social anxiety scale test the liebowitz social anxiety scale ( lsas) is a questionnaire developed by dr. Michael r. Liebowitz, a psychiatrist and researcher.You can get a severity score as well. One of the most important research findings of this scale is that for every 10 points a person goes up on the scale, their annual income decreases by an average of $3000 per year.This really gives some insight into how debilitating this condition can be unless it's treated . Treatment should be psychotherapy, preferably cognitive behavioral therapy and psychotropic management by a psychiatrist. Best wishes.