Social anxiety is a form of anxiety in which a person experiences intense discomfort out of a fear of being evaluated, judged or embarrassed in front of others, and may therefore avoid social settings. The NHS describes it as “a long-term and overwhelming fear of social situations” and stresses that it is “more than shyness.”
What is social anxiety?
Social anxiety is an intense fear of being evaluated negatively in situations where a person interacts with others or does something in front of them. Everyone can feel reserved or nervous in social settings from time to time. In social anxiety, however, this fear is intense, persistent and strong enough to limit the person’s work, education or relationships.
The same condition is also called “social phobia” and “social anxiety disorder”; this article uses the term “social anxiety.” For broader information on other forms of anxiety, see Anxiety, Stress and Emotion Regulation Difficulties.
What are the symptoms of social anxiety?
The NHS, NIMH and the Turkish Psychiatric Association generally describe the symptoms in three groups:
- Thought and emotion symptoms: excessive worry before, during and after social situations; fear of being criticized, watched and judged; expecting the worst possible outcomes; thoughts such as “I’ll say something silly” or “everyone will notice me”; going over one’s own performance and looking for flaws.
- Physical symptoms: blushing, sweating, trembling, a shaky voice, a pounding heart, nausea, a feeling that the mind has gone blank.
- Behavioral symptoms: avoiding social activities or eye contact, enduring unavoidable situations with intense anxiety.
This list is not an assessment tool; not every symptom has to occur in every person. The NHS also mentions panic attacks lasting a few minutes among the symptoms; for more on this, see What Are Panic Attacks?
In which situations can social anxiety occur?
According to the NHS and NIMH, it can occur in many situations, such as meeting new people, starting a conversation, talking on the phone, a job interview, shopping, eating with others, or doing something while others are watching. In some people, anxiety appears only in performance situations, for example when speaking in public (NIMH). The Turkish Psychiatric Association distinguishes a “generalized type,” in which fears cover many social situations, from a type limited to specific situations.
What is the difference between social anxiety and shyness?
Shyness can be a personality trait and does not always have to limit a person. The American Psychiatric Association (APA) states that social anxiety is “not simply shyness” and is not the same as a lack of social skills; according to the Turkish Psychiatric Association, reserve is common and is mostly not considered an illness. The table below summarizes the distinction in general terms.
| Criterion | Shyness / reserve | Social anxiety |
|---|---|---|
| General nature | Common; mostly not considered an illness | A long-term and overwhelming fear of social situations |
| Level of fear | May be a personality trait; does not always limit the person | Out of proportion and intense; according to the APA, lasts at least six months |
| Avoidance | Avoidance and major distress may not accompany it | Avoiding the situation or enduring it with intense anxiety |
| Impact on daily life | May not create a marked limitation | Education, work, relationships and self-confidence may be affected |
When does social anxiety start, and how common is it?
The APA reports a median age of onset of 13; the NHS points to the teenage years, NIMH to childhood and adolescence, and the Turkish Psychiatric Association to ages 10 to 17. NIMH states that social anxiety is more common in women than in men.
Prevalence estimates vary markedly by study: the Turkish Psychiatric Association gives a lifetime range of 2% to 13%, while the APA reports a lifetime rate of 12.1% among US adults.
How can social anxiety arise, and how can it affect daily life?
According to the sources, no single cause is known; NIMH states that social anxiety can run in families and that it is not fully known why some family members have it while others do not. A person may begin to avoid situations such as giving a speech, meeting people they do not know, or being watched while eating; although avoidance brings relief in the short term, it can contribute to anxiety continuing in the long term.
According to the NHS, social anxiety can affect daily activities, self-confidence, relationships, and work or school life; the NHS and NIMH state that depression and other forms of anxiety can accompany it. For relationship difficulties, see Interpersonal Relationship Difficulties.
How is social anxiety addressed in psychotherapy?
In psychotherapy, the first step is usually to understand together in which situations the anxiety rises, what the person thinks in those situations and how they behave. In cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), thoughts about the expectation of being judged negatively are examined, avoidance and safety behaviors are addressed, and the person can work on approaching difficult situations gradually.
The NHS describes CBT as a therapy that helps a person notice and change negative thought patterns and behaviors. NIMH calls CBT the “gold standard” in psychotherapy and notes that exposure is a CBT method in which the person gradually faces avoided fears.
In the dynamic approach, deeper themes such as shame, the need for approval and patterns that repeat in relationships are addressed. For more information, see What Is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)? and What Is Psychodynamic Psychotherapy? Medication is a matter for a physician’s evaluation, especially a psychiatrist’s.
When can psychological support be considered?
Psychological support can be considered if avoiding social settings affects the person’s education, work life or relationships, if the person feels lonely, or if the person gives up important opportunities because of anxiety. The APA lists fear that is out of proportion to the situation and lasts at least six months among the criteria; the NHS recommends seeing a doctor, especially if the impact on life is large. This information does not replace a diagnosis. For broader information, see When can psychological support be considered?
If the person has thoughts of self-harm or faces immediate danger, contacting the 112 Emergency Call Center or going to the nearest emergency department is recommended; whenever possible, it is important that the person is not left alone and tells someone they trust what they are experiencing. This article is not a substitute for emergency support.
Common misconceptions about social anxiety
- “Social anxiety only happens when speaking in front of a group.” The NHS and NIMH also list many everyday situations, such as meeting people, talking on the phone, eating with others or shopping.
- “Social anxiety is a lack of social skills.” The APA states that social anxiety is not the same as a lack of social skills; the fear of being evaluated negatively is at the center.
- “Avoiding is the safest way to cope with social anxiety.” Although avoidance brings relief in the short term, it can contribute to anxiety continuing in the long term.
Expert note
Social anxiety can become easier to understand when it is considered not only as “feeling uncomfortable in social settings” but together with the person’s beliefs about themselves and about how others see them. The same social situation can evoke very different thoughts and feelings in two people; so what is addressed is not only the situation itself but the meaning the person attaches to it.
From a perspective that draws on cognitive behavioral and psychodynamic theories, thoughts, emotions, behaviors and relational patterns are evaluated together; themes such as shame and the need for approval can also be part of this evaluation. The information in this article does not replace an evaluation.
Clinical Psychologist Özgün Emre Yaylacı
Frequently asked questions
Are social anxiety and shyness the same thing?
Shyness can be a personality trait and does not always have to limit a person. In social anxiety, however, the fear is intense and can limit daily life; the NHS describes it as “more than shyness.”
Are social anxiety, social phobia and social anxiety disorder the same thing?
These names generally describe the same condition; the NHS states that “social anxiety disorder” is also called “social phobia.” This article prefers the term “social anxiety.”
Does social anxiety go away on its own?
The course varies from person to person. The NHS states that social anxiety may ease with age in some people but, for many people, does not go away on its own without treatment; if it affects daily life, psychological support can be considered.
Can social anxiety be addressed in psychotherapy?
Psychotherapy can be used with people who experience social anxiety. The suitability of a psychotherapeutic approach is determined by the person’s needs, reason for seeking help and clinical evaluation.
Sources
This article is prepared for general information purposes; the following sources were used in preparing it (mostly in English; Turkish-language sources are marked):
- NHS (UK National Health Service): Social anxiety (social phobia)
- NIMH (US National Institute of Mental Health): Social Anxiety Disorder: What You Need to Know
- APA (American Psychiatric Association): Social Anxiety: More Than Just Shy or Self-Conscious
- APA: What Are Anxiety Disorders?
- Turkish Psychiatric Association: Social Phobia (in Turkish)
- Republic of Turkey Ministry of Health: New Generation Emergency Call Center, 112 Single Call System (in Turkish)
This article was prepared by Clinical Psychologist Özgün Emre Yaylacı. Last updated: October 23, 2026. The content is for general information only and does not constitute diagnosis, treatment or personal guidance.
