Do I have social anxiety? It’s a question many people silently ask themselves every day. With just over 7% of the US population having it, it is the third most common mental health condition in the nation. Despite how widespread it is, most people don’t fully understand it. They conflate it with shyness, ADHD, or other mental health conditions like depression. Even psychologists and therapists can struggle to identify it correctly. 

But just because social anxiety is misunderstood doesn’t mean that you have to navigate it alone. I was diagnosed with it over 3 years ago, and I know firsthand how confusing and painful it can feel. That’s why this post is designed as a complete guide to understanding and assessing social anxiety. Here, you’ll learn how social anxiety is defined by clinical manuals, how it can appear alongside other conditions, and how to evaluate your own experiences — helping you answer the question, “do I have social anxiety?” with clarity and confidence.

What it Means to Live With Social Anxiety

If you’ve ever asked yourself “do I have social anxiety?” understanding the lived experience is the first step. Social anxiety is far more than a simple fear of judgment or evaluation. It is a constant, oppressive suppression of authentic self-expression, marked by intense levels of self-consciousness and shame. 

Underneath social anxiety is a mix of emotions such as shame and fear. On the one hand, people with it assume that they are deeply flawed and unworthy, hiding who they are from other people. But mixed with this is a deep sense of fear that exposing that sense of self around others will be met with intense levels of criticism. So it isn’t just shame and unworthiness that causes social anxiety—it is the sense of fear that validates and keeps the shame trapped inside of us, convincing us we can’t be who we are. 

Living with social anxiety is a painful story in its own right. When I struggled with it, I couldn’t talk to my friends, family, or loved ones without feeling an intense, soul-crushing level of fear. It felt so powerful that just the act of reaching out felt like an impossible task. Because of this, all that felt possible was hiding myself away from other people, and being alone. 

But this was not the end of my story. Over years of struggling with social anxiety, I decided to make a change in my life. I didn’t allow the fear to take dominion over who I was, and I decided to confront social anxiety, eventually overcoming it after 3 years of intense struggle.

If you would like to follow how I was able to overcome social anxiety and how you can too, I recommend you to subscribe to this blog, where I will upload weekly posts on the psychology of social anxiety, effective recovery techniques, and answers to questions like, do I have social anxiety?

DSM-5 Criteria of Social Anxiety

Now that we have gone over what it feels like to live with social anxiety, let’s discuss what the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Health Disorders (DSM-5) has to say about it. 

For years, the DSM-5 has been a source of credibility and understanding for the diagnosis of mental health disorders, like depression and schizophrenia. It will help us understand the main components of social anxiety disorder, and can help you see whether or not some of the symptoms fit your life. 

Below is a list of criteria the DSM uses for the diagnosis of social anxiety. After this paragraph, I briefly discuss what this list could mean for you: 

• 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 (e.g., having a conversation, meeting unfamiliar people)
  • Being observed (e.g., eating or drinking in front of others)
  • Performing in front of others (e.g., giving a speech)
• B. The individual fears that they will act in a way or show anxiety symptoms that will be negatively evaluated (e.g., will be humiliating or embarrassing; will lead to rejection or offend others).
• C. The social situations almost always provoke fear or anxiety.
• D. The social situations are avoided or endured with intense fear or anxiety.
• E. The fear or anxiety is out of proportion to the actual threat posed by the social situation and to the sociocultural context.
• F. The fear, anxiety, or avoidance is persistent, typically lasting 6 months or more.
• G. The fear, anxiety, or avoidance causes clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning.
• H. The fear, anxiety, or avoidance is not attributable to the physiological effects of a substance (e.g., drug, medication) or another medical condition.
• I. The fear, anxiety, or avoidance is not better explained by the symptoms of another mental disorder, such as panic disorder, body dysmorphic disorder, or autism spectrum disorder.
• J. If another medical condition is present, the fear, anxiety, or avoidance is clearly unrelated or is excessive.

Additional Specifiers:

• Performance only: If the fear is restricted to speaking or performing in public.
  

In this list, it is generally believed that if you meet the core criteria (A-G) that you will fit the formal diagnosis for social anxiety. Always consult a mental health professional for a personalized assessment if you are asking yourself do I have social anxiety.

In addition, criteria H-J are considered exclusionary criteria, meaning they exist to rule out other potential medical conditions or disorders that could interfere with your life. 

For a deeper dive into social anxiety criteria DSM V, check my dedicated post on the nuances of the DSM-5 diagnosis.

ICD-10 Social Anxiety: Understanding the International Classification

The International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10) is a global system for coding diseases, signs, and symptoms of conditions. It was established by the World Health Organization (WHO) to standardize medical records and track public health data. 

For these reasons, the ICD-10 doesn’t reflect as much of a standardized or updated consensus of social anxiety as does the DSM-5, but it can give us further insight into the symptoms you might be experiencing.  

Below is a list of criteria the DSM uses to classify social anxiety disorder:

1. Marked fear or anxiety in social situations
   • The person experiences intense fear or anxiety in one or more social or performance situations. Examples include:
     • Speaking or giving a presentation in front of others
     • Eating or drinking in front of people
     • Writing, performing, or participating in class or meetings
     • Meeting new people or interacting with strangers
     • Being observed while doing everyday activities, such as using public restrooms or waiting in line
2. Avoidance or endurance with distress
   • The person either avoids these situations whenever possible or endures them with extreme discomfort.
   • Avoidance may interfere with work, school, relationships, or social life.
   • Enduring the situation often leads to severe anxiety, panic-like symptoms, or emotional distress.
3. Physical symptoms
   • Anxiety is accompanied by physical reactions, such as:
     • Sweating or clammy hands
     • Trembling or shaking
     • Blushing or flushing
     • Nausea or stomach discomfort
     • Racing heart, shortness of breath, or muscle tension
     • Difficulty speaking or making eye contact
4. Duration and impact
   • Symptoms are persistent, typically lasting six months or more.
   • They significantly interfere with daily life, affecting education, work performance, relationships, and social functioning.
5. Exclusion of other causes
   • The anxiety cannot be better explained by another mental disorder, substance use, or medical condition.

While the DSM-5 provides a more detailed clinical framework, ICD 10 social anxiety disorder gives insight into observable patterns and physical reactions. If you’ve wondered, do I have social anxiety, comparing your experiences to both DSM and ICD criteria can provide clarity.

In my post on social anxiety disorder ICD-10, I go over the history of social anxiety, how the definition of it has changed over time, and what these changes mean for the future of social anxiety diagnoses. Feel free to check that out whenever you’d like. 

Social Anxiety Self-Assessment: LSAS and SPIN

Another way to answer the question “do i have social anxiety?” is by using self-assessment tools like the Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale or the Social Phobia Inventory. These assessments could provide standardized insight into the pain you are dealing with. 

Below is a list of both tests, what they examine, and their advantages/disadvantages:

Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale (LSAS)

• Purpose: Measures fear and avoidance in social and performance situations.
• Structure: 24 items rated separately for fear and avoidance.
• Advantages:
  • Highly detailed and covers a wide range of social and performance situations.
  • Widely validated and recognized in research and clinical practice.
  • Can track changes in symptoms over time, useful for monitoring treatment progress.
  • Differentiates between fear and avoidance, providing nuanced insight.
• Disadvantages:
  • Takes longer to complete, which may be tiring for some individuals.
  • Scoring is more complex and often requires professional interpretation.
  • May feel clinical or impersonal, which can be off-putting.
  • Less suitable for quick self-screening.

Social Phobia Inventory (SPIN)

• Purpose: Measures severity of social anxiety symptoms.
• Structure: 17 items assessing fear, avoidance, and physiological symptoms.
• Advantages:
  • Short and easy to administer, suitable for quick screening.
  • Good reliability and validity in both clinical and non-clinical populations.
  • Can be used to track symptom severity over time.
  • Less intimidating than longer assessments like LSAS.
• Disadvantages:
  • Less detailed than LSAS and may not capture all specific social situations.
  • Provides less nuance between fear and avoidance.
  • May miss subtleties of social anxiety in complex or high-functioning cases.
  • Does not differentiate as clearly between types of social situations.

It’s important to note that neither of these tests are substitutes for a professional diagnosis, and I would recommend that if you are asking yourself do I have social anxiety to see a professional for future understanding. 

What Social Anxiety is NOT—Misconceptions and Comparisons

One of the most frustrating parts of living with social anxiety is how misunderstood it is. In this section, I will detail to you the most common misconceptions people have with social anxiety and how you can overcome these misunderstandings with knowledge and awareness. 

Many people tend to confuse social anxiety with shyness, introversion, or other disorders. Understanding the differences can help you recognize your experiences more clearly.

Social anxiety vs Shyness vs Introversion

• Shyness is a temperament characterized by initial discomfort in social situations, which typically decreases with familiarity.
• Introversion is a preference for lower stimulation and smaller social settings; it is not driven by fear of judgment or shyness
• Social anxiety is a fear of negative evaluation that can occur even in familiar situations and is maintained by avoidance and self-monitoring.
• People can have all three conditions, but each of them operate independently from one another

Social anxiety vs Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)

• GAD is a pervasive worry that spans across many areas of life, such as health, finances, or family. People with the condition may fear losing control of themselves or other people, leading to an intense fear of uncertainty about life in general
• Social anxiety is a kind of anxiety that peaks specifically during social evaluative settings, focused on fear of judgment or embarrassment in social contexts.
• While both conditions can be comorbid, it is likely that one fear has a more prevalent presence in your life than the other. 

Social anxiety vs Avoidant Personality Disorder (AvPD)

• AvPD involves a pervasive pattern of social inhibition, feelings of inadequacy, and hypersensitivity to criticism across most contexts. It is a personality disorder rather than an anxiety disorder, meaning most of the traits found in this disorder are baked into an individual’s mode of self-perception. 
• Social anxiety is an anxiety disorder, where certain situations and/or stimuli cause irrational anxiety. While avoidant personality disorder tends to be more rigid and identity-based, social anxiety tends to respond well with treatments like exposure therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy

Social anxiety vs Agoraphobia

• Agoraphobia is fear of being in situations where escape is difficult or help is unavailable. Examples of this include: being stuck in an elevator, going out to a movie theater, or getting on public transportation
• Social anxiety is fear of negative evaluation. Avoidance may look similar, but the underlying fear is different. 

Social anxiety vs ADHD

• ADHD involves attentional regulation, impulsivity, and executive functioning challenges. Social difficulties often stem from missed social cues or impulsive behavior rather than fear of judgment.
• However, repeated social rejection in ADHD can lead to secondary social anxiety. 
• Both conditions can occur in conjunction with one another, but both of them are separate conditions causing different problems

In each of the comparisons above, I have written separate posts diving deeper into the many differences between social anxiety, shyness, introversion, and other disorders. These posts explore each distinction with real-world examples, practical guidance, and insights from lived experience to help you better understand your own patterns. 

Be sure to check them out if you want a more detailed look at how social anxiety is unique and how it overlaps with other conditions.

Knowing When to Seek Treatment

Knowing when to seek professional help is crucial. Consider reaching out to a mental health professional if social anxiety is significantly interfering with your daily life, relationships, work, or school, or if avoidance is causing your world to shrink.

Professional testing usually begins with a clinical interview. The clinician will explore your history, triggers, avoidance patterns, and the impact of anxiety on your life. They will also consider co-occurring conditions and rule out medical causes or substance effects.

Validated questionnaires such as the LSAS and SPIN may be administered to support the assessment. These tools provide standardized insight but are interpreted within the context of your personal history and current functioning.

The goal is to identify the most effective treatment, which may include therapy, medication, or a combination. Asking yourself do I have social anxiety and seeking professional evaluation early can prevent avoidance patterns from becoming entrenched and improve long-term outcomes.

Conclusion

Understanding social anxiety is the first step toward reclaiming control over your social experiences and your life. This guide has walked you through what social anxiety feels like, how it is defined by clinical manuals, how it differs from other conditions, and how to use validated self-assessments to gain insight.

If you recognize patterns of social anxiety in yourself, remember that support is available and effective. Seeking professional guidance early, using self-assessment tools wisely, and exploring recovery strategies can all help you reduce avoidance and live more confidently.

For more in-depth guidance, lived experiences, and practical recovery strategies, feel free to visit my YouTube channel. Also don’t forget to subscribe to the blog and leave a comment to share your story or ask questions. Connecting with others who understand can be an important part of the journey.