Have you ever felt an overwhelming sense of nervousness or a sense of fear of being judged in social situations? While these experiences are common, they don’t necessarily translate to a diagnosis of social anxiety disorder
While it may be tempting to Google your symptoms and self-diagnose, it is important to know that social anxiety is a complex condition, and getting a diagnosis of social anxiety involves meeting specific criteria. In this article, we’ll dive deeper into the diagnosis of social anxiety and also understand the importance of seeking professional help for the same
Understanding Social Anxiety
Social anxiety, also known as social phobia, is more than just feeling shy or nervous in social situations. It is characterized by a persistent, intense fear of social situations. People with social anxiety primarily fear being judged, embarrassed or humiliated in social situations. This fear is often overwhelming and can lead them to avoid situations such as meeting new people, giving job interviews, public speaking, etc., severely disrupting their everyday lives.
Social anxiety commonly causes various physical, psychological and behavioural symptoms, such as:
- Shaking, excessive sweating, blushing or racing heartbeat during social situations
- Difficulty making eye contact while interacting with others.
- Feeling stiff or nauseated during social situations
- Being very self-conscious while interacting with others
- Feeling that your mind would go blank in social situations
- Feeling a persistent fear while you are around people, especially strangers
- Feeling awkward around others
- Avoid situations that involve interactions with others.
- The level of anxiety being experienced is out of proportion to the given situation
How Does Social Anxiety Differ From Shyness or Nervousness?
It is crucial to differentiate between social anxiety and shyness or normal nervousness. While shyness and nervousness are common experiences that all of us have had at some point social anxiety differs in its severity and impact. Shyness might make you feel uncomfortable in large groups, but it wouldn’t necessarily prevent you from socializing altogether.
Nervousness before a presentation is normal, but social anxiety might not only make it difficult for you to speak but you might want to avoid the situation entirely. The difference lies in the intensity and persistence of fear, which significantly interferes with daily life for those with social anxiety.
Why Self-Diagnosis Isn’t Advisable?
While you may be tempted to Google your symptoms and take a few online quizzes to decide if you have social anxiety, it may not be the most ideal approach due to various reasons:
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Misdiagnosis
Without proper training and knowledge, it is easy to misinterpret symptoms and either overlook a serious condition or diagnose yourself with something you might not have. Only a trained professional can accurately assess your symptoms and offer a well-informed diagnosis, distinguishing your symptoms from other similar conditions
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Tools And Tests
Trained professionals often base their diagnosis on various sources such as clinical interviews, observations, and assessments, plus they often have years of experience as well. This gives them a comprehensive view of your condition, something that self-diagnosis cannot offer
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Improper Treatment
Self-diagnosis not only brings the risk of delay in seeking professional help, but it can also lead to ineffective or even harmful treatment. A trained professional not only offers a proper diagnosis but the right treatment as well.
Who Can Diagnose Social Anxiety Correctly?
Only trained mental health professionals, such as psychiatrists and clinical psychologists, can accurately diagnose social anxiety. They use standardized diagnostic criteria, outlined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), to make sure they have an accurate diagnosis. They can also accurately differentiate between social anxiety and other mental health conditions that may have similar symptoms, such as generalized anxiety disorder or panic disorder
Conclusion:
In summary, social anxiety is a serious condition that can significantly impact your life. While it may be tempting to self-diagnose based on your symptoms, it is advisable to seek professional help to get an accurate diagnosis and the right treatment. If you recognize any symptoms of social anxiety in yourself, reach out to a trained professional at the earliest. Self-diagnosis may lead to misdiagnosis, which may worsen the symptoms as well.
References:
- 3 Reasons Not to Self-Diagnose Anxiety | Right as Rain. (n.d.). Retrieved June 8, 2024, from https://rightasrain.uwmedicine.org/mind/mental-health/self-diagnosing
- Social anxiety disorder (social phobia)—Symptoms and causes. (n.d.). Mayo Clinic. Retrieved June 8, 2024, from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/social-anxiety-disorder/symptoms-causes/syc-20353561
- Social Anxiety Disorder: Symptoms, Tests, Causes & Treatments. (n.d.). Cleveland Clinic. Retrieved June 8, 2024, from https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/22709-social-anxiety
