Social anxiety disorder (SAD) is characterized by an intense fear of scrutiny and judgment by others in social situations. Individuals with social anxiety fear that they will be negatively evaluated — judged as anxious, weak, boring, weird, or unlikeable.
They fear being observed and/or performing in front of others, and they worry that their nervousness and anxiety will show through.Everyone experiences social anxiety occasionally.
For individuals with social anxiety disorder, the fear of social scrutiny — often out of proportion to the actual threat posed by the social situation — is immensely distressing.
It can interfere with work, school, and other daily activities, and make it difficult to meet people and maintain friends.Social anxiety (among other anxiety disorders) commonly occurs with ADHD. “Experiences common to ADHD, like rejection sensitive dysphoria, shame, and emotional dysregulation, may exacerbate social anxiety,” writes writes Sharon Saline, Psy.D. “ADHD symptoms like hyperactivity and inattention may also undermine social skills and cause difficulties.”Take this social anxiety test and share your results with a licensed mental health professional.The questions in this social anxiety test are informed, in part, by criteria outlined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5-TR).