Social Anxiety: How Does it Affect Americans?

Social anxiety disorder also called social phobia; is the third most common psychiatric disorder in the United States and affects one out of every eight Americans. The disorder is characterized by an excessive fear of judgement by other people or a fear of humiliation or embarrassment. Social anxiety can result in a person dropping out of school, chronic unemployment and financial dependence, alcohol abuse, suicidal thoughts, and not getting married or having children. (APA Fact Sheet, 1) It can also result in "low self-esteem, depression, self-consciousness, avoidance, job limitations, lack of assertiveness, difficulty in talking to other people, feelings of being judged negatively, and perfectionism". (Social Anxiety Network, 1) People with social phobia may be seen as "shy, quiet, backward, withdrawn, inhibited, unfriendly, nervous, aloof, and disinterested". (Social Phobia Fact Sheet, 1) "Unlike some other psychological problems, social anxiety is not well understood by the general public or by medical and mental health care professionals, such as doctors, psychiatrists, psychologists, therapists, social workers, and counselors. In fact, people with social anxiety are misdiagnosed almost 90% of the time". (Social Anxiety/Social Phobia: Examples, 2) About 8% of the population suffer from some form of social anxiety and about 14% of people will suffer from social anxiety at some point in their life. (Social Anxiety Network, 1)

The first sign anxiety disorder is an extreme fear of a situation in which you have to meet new people or an extreme fear of a situation in which others may judge you. The second sign of social anxiety disorder is that these feared social situations result in intense anxiety for the individual or the individual may avoid these social situations. The third sign of social anxiety disorder is that these social situations cause physical symptoms to the individual such as blushing, sweating, shaking, trembling, tense muscles, shaky voice, dry mouth, or a pounding heart. People who have social anxiety disorder may feel anxious about giving a speech, talking to a boss, dating, using a public restroom, eating out, talking on the phone, or writing in front of others. Almost everyone has some social anxiety and one time or another but that is normal - those people who have a social anxiety disorder avoid making friends and sometimes may avoid all socially related situations. (APA, Signs and Symptoms, 1)

Social anxiety can be caused by a variety of factors. One theory is that it is caused by an "imbalance of a chemical called serotonin that transports signals between nerve cells in the brain". This is the same chemical imbalance linked to other mood and anxiety disorders. Another theory is that social anxiety runs in families. The third theory is that social anxiety may be a conditioned response as a result of an embarrassing social event in the past. (APA, What Causes Social Anxiety Disorder, 1).

Figure 1:

Instructions

Read carefully every statement and indicate how often you feel that way by checking the corresponding case. In order for the test to be valid, all the questions must be answered.

A) Almost never
B) Rarely
C) Sometimes
D) Quite often
E) Most of the time

1. When I am in a group I'd prefer to blend into my surroundings.
2. I enjoy socializing.
3. I am terrified when I am supposed to have a one-to-one conversation with someone I don't know very well.
4. I feel comfortable in a group of strangers.
5. I feel embarrassed when I have to speak in a small group of people.
6. I am at ease when I am being introduced to new people.
7. I could very well do without all the social fuss that goes on.
8. I feel paralyzed and speechless when someone I don't know starts talking to me.
9. I am intimidated by crowds.
10. I like going to places where I can meet or get to know new people.
11. I can tolerate when many people pay attention to me.
12. I miss opportunities to make a good point because I am afraid to speak up.
13. I am all shaky when I meet someone for the first time.
14. I am able to make eye contact with people I don't know.
15. I feel confident enough to express disagreement with someone I barely know.
16. I get tense at casual get-togethers.
17. I am at ease with people I don't know well.
18. I am able to initiate a conversation with a stranger.
19. I hate situations in which I am expected to socialize.
20. I am at ease in unfamiliar social situations.
21. I go to great lengths to avoid social gatherings.
22. I would leave, rather than enter a room where most people are already seated.
23. I go to social events to which I am invited.
24. I have what it takes to socialize with other people.
25. I tend to withdraw from people.