Do social situations, or the thought of being in them, make you anxious and panicky? To find out if you meet the requirements for social anxiety disorder, take this online test for social anxiety (social phobia)
Social Anxiety Disorder Test
Do your palms start to sweat, and your heart starts to race when you walk into an unfamiliar social environment? Are you concerned that you’ll say something embarrassing and embarrass yourself? Are you more preoccupied with whether others will judge you than with the conversation itself? Do you try to devise justifications to leave or avoid social situations?
You might have a social anxiety disorder if you indicated “yes” to most or all of the above questions. In the US, social anxiety disorder is quite prevalent. The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) estimates that 12% of American adults will go through social anxiety disorder during their lifetime.
Individuals with a social anxiety disorder may experience different precise symptoms. For instance, some people may experience social anxiety when meeting new people, while others may experience it when speaking in front of an audience.
A persistent fear of social situations is a requirement for a social anxiety disorder diagnosis. Feeling humiliated, rejected, or embarrassed by others is the source of this phobia.
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Social anxiety and shyness are frequently confused. Shyness is not the same as social anxiety, even though it can be a symptom of social anxiety disorder.
If your anxiety isn’t only present in social situations, you might suffer from another kind of anxiety disorder. Among the most prevalent anxiety disorders are:
- Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD): when your anxiety isn’t centred on a single issue
- Panic disorder: recurrent, unexpected panic attacks and worry that they will occur again
- Agoraphobia: the fear of circumstances from which it may be difficult to escape (e.g., an elevator)
- Specific phobias: a strong aversion to a particular object or circumstance (e.g., heights)
- Anxiety related to being separated from loved ones: separation anxiety disorder
You might also be dealing with a co-occurring disorder. Having two conditions at once is what this means. A major depressive disorder and an alcohol use disorder are more likely to develop if a social anxiety disorder is not treated.
The most effective treatments for social anxiety disorder are frequently prescription medication and cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT). Consider consulting a healthcare professional if you believe you might suffer from social anxiety disorder to determine your best course of action.
Who Should Take This Test for Social Anxiety Disorder?
Anyone who believes they may exhibit signs of social anxiety disorder should take this quick, time-saving test.
You can use the information below to decide whether your symptoms require additional assistance and professional support. Additionally, it can give you some words to use when speaking with a mental health professional about your symptoms.
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Then, a mental health expert can assist you in determining whether your problems could be signs of social anxiety disorder or something else, and, if so, can suggest treatment.
Is This Test for Social Anxiety Disorder Reliable?
This online test is not a reliable resource. The purpose of this test is not to diagnose social anxiety disorder or serve as a substitute for a medical diagnosis. The only surefire way to determine if you have a social anxiety disorder is to receive a professional diagnosis. But this quiz might be a good place to start if you want to know whether you would benefit from a mental health professional’s evaluation.
You can also use this test to monitor your moods or show your doctor how your symptoms have changed between visits. The best next steps for you can only be determined by a trained medical professional, such as a healthcare or mental health professional.
Social Anxiety Disorder Test Instructions
Consider each of the following social anxiety test questions very carefully. Each question should receive a yes or no response. Information on the significance of your answers can be found at the bottom of the social anxiety disorder test.
Social Anxiety Test
#1. Do any of the following bother you?
Fear that you will be judged in social situations with great intensity and persistence
- Yes
- No
Fear that your actions will make you look foolish
- Yes
- No
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Fear that others will see you blushing, sweating, trembling, or exhibiting other symptoms of anxiety
- Yes
- No
Realizing that your fear is unjustified or excessive
- Yes
- No
#2. Do you react fearfully to situations?
Feel anxious all the time?
- Yes
- No
Have a panic attack where you are suddenly overcome with extreme fear or discomfort, including any of the following symptoms:
Beating heart
- Yes
- No
Sweating
- Yes
- No
Shaking or trembling
- Yes
- No
Choking
- Yes
- No
chest pain
- Yes
- No
Nausea or discomfort in the abdomen
- Yes
- No
Jellied legs
- Yes
- No
Dizziness
- Yes
- No
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A sense of unreality or of being cut off from oneself
- Yes
- No
Fear of “going crazy” or losing control
- Yes
- No
Fear of dying
- Yes
- No
Feelings of numbness or tingling
- Yes
- No
Cold sweats or hot flushes
- Yes
- No
Go to great lengths to refrain from taking part?
- Yes
- No
Do your symptoms affect how you live your life?
- Yes
- No
#3. Multiple illnesses at once can make it challenging to identify and treat each ailment separately. One or two other conditions that can occasionally worsen social anxiety disorder include depression and substance abuse.
Have your eating or sleeping patterns changed recently?
- Yes
- No
#4. Do you feel this way more often than not?
Sad or downcast?
- Yes
- No
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Having no interest in life?
- Yes
- No
Ineffective or guilty?
#5. Has anyone used alcohol or drugs in the past year?
A failure on your part to carry out duties related to work, school, or family?
- Yes
- No
Put you in a risky situation, such as when you were driving a car while intoxicated.
- Yes
- No
You’ve been detained?
- Yes
- No
Despite creating issues for you or your loved ones, continued?
- Yes
- No
Social Anxiety Test Disorder Scoring
This test’s first and second sections for social anxiety disorder are made to look for both social anxiety disorder and panic attacks. You are more likely to have a social anxiety disorder or social anxiety if you check yes to more questions in these sections.
Sections 3, 4, and 5 aim to screen for other mental illnesses, such as substance abuse or depression, that frequently co-occur with social anxiety. The more times you check yes in these areas, the more likely it is that you also suffer from another condition besides social anxiety.
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Take this social anxiety disorder test and send your results to a licensed professional like your doctor or a psychiatrist if social anxiety, social phobia, or any other illness is a concern. A diagnosis of a mental illness can only be made by a medical or mental health professional.
Social Anxiety Disorder Test & Self-Treatment
Even though it’s crucial to get professional help if you’re experiencing severe social anxiety or depression symptoms, you can also take steps to control these conditions on your own. You might want to think about:
- They are trying to correct your cognitive distortions. People with anxiety and depression tend to have more negative thought patterns. This is how to deal with them.
- Mindfulness. Meditation and other mindfulness techniques may help to lessen the symptoms of depression and social anxiety.
- I was examining your routines. Exercise, diet, and sleep all affect depression and social anxiety. Could I develop a new habit that helps me manage my symptoms, like a bedtime routine, an intentional snack break, or a walking schedule?
- I am making contact with resources. This can be more difficult said than done, particularly in the case of social anxiety. You could, however, move a step closer to receiving emotional support from people who “get it” by simply sending a message to an online support group.
Coping With Depression and Social Anxiety
It can feel lonely to have both social anxiety and depression, but you can manage them with support that addresses both conditions.
#1. Therapy
Both social anxiety and depression are frequently treated with talk therapy, which may also help you manage symptoms when they co-occur.
Both conditions are frequently treated with cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), which focuses on recognizing and altering your thought patterns to serve you better.
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A small 2016 study discovered that online CBT effectively eased the symptoms of co-occurring depression and social anxiety.
#2. Medication
There is little but growing research on medications for co-occurring social anxiety and depression. If you take medication to treat both conditions, you’ll probably need a strategy tailored to your particular symptoms.
Depression that coexists with an anxiety disorder is frequently treated with antidepressants like selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs).
In situations where you may experience a lot of anxiety, your doctor may also advise taking benzodiazepines, an anti-anxiety drug.
How can I reduce my social anxiety?
Try some relaxation methods, such as stress-relieving breathing exercises. Break difficult circumstances into manageable chunks, and focus on becoming more at ease with each one. Instead of automatically assuming the worst, try to pay attention to what others are saying.
What triggers social anxiety?
A social anxiety disorder may be more common in kids subjected to bullying, taunting, rejection, or humiliation. In addition, this disease may be linked to different unfortunate life experiences such as family strife, trauma, or abuse.
Can parents cause social anxiety?
Social anxiety has been linked to verbal threats and fear transmission from parents to their offspring. Damaging parental verbal threats have been linked to avoidance behaviours, hypervigilance about dangers, and cognitive bias in ambiguous situations.
At what age does social anxiety begin?
Typically, social anxiety disorder develops throughout infancy or adolescence. The median age of onset among those who seek therapy as adults is in the early to mid-teens, with the majority of people experiencing the disease before the age of 20.
Are you born with social anxiety, or do you develop it?
Even while social anxiety disorder often first manifests in adolescence or childhood, it can also appear later in life. A person’s biology, psychology, and social environment can all play a role in developing social anxiety, which has biopsychosocial causes.
How Do I Get Tested for Social Anxiety?
The diagnosis of social anxiety disorder cannot be made medically. Based on your description of your symptoms, how they manifest, and the circumstances in which they occur; a psychiatrist or other mental health specialist can determine whether you have a social anxiety disorder, also known as social phobia.
What Are 3 Symptoms of Social Anxiety?
Extreme anxiety when interacting or conversing with strangers. Fear that people will see that you’re tense. Fear of experiencing unpleasant physical side effects, such as blushing, perspiration, trembling, or a trembling voice. Avoidance of situations or interactions with people out of embarrassment.
Am I Just Shy or Do I Have Social Anxiety?
Even though they may appear outgoing and confident, a person with social anxiety may be extremely nervous in social settings. It’s possible that others won’t even be able to sense their anxiety. Even though it frequently appears to be situational, shyness is more noticeable. In other words, shyness often manifests itself at particular times.
How Do I Know if I Suffer From Social Anxiety?
Always be concerned about doing something you believe will make you look foolish, like blushing, perspiring, or acting incompetent. You may find it challenging to perform actions in front of others because you may feel constantly scrutinized and judged. Avoid eye contact if you have low self-esteem or fear criticism.
Conclusion
Whether you suffer from social anxiety, depression, or both, you can control your symptoms and lessen how they affect your daily life. Although treating depression and social anxiety together can be more challenging, many resources are available to you.
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