Social Anxiety Disorder

Social anxiety (social anxiety disorder or social phobia) is a mental illness in which a person has a fear of or worry concerning social situations that doesn’t go away. This anxiety may be accompanied by mutism (the inability or unwillingness to speak in certain situations).

Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD) - Social Phobia

Social anxiety disorder (SAD) or social phobia is an anxiety disorder characterized by extreme fear in getting involved in social situations. This fear causes considerable distress and disability functions in one’s daily life activities. The fear comes from perceived or actual scrutiny from others.

Signs and Symptoms of Social Anxiety

Social Anxiety in Children

Social Anxiety Disorder History

When to Get Help for Social Anxiety

Self-Help for Social Anxiety

Social Anxiety Epidemiology

How is Social Anxiety Diagnosed?

Neural Mechanisms of Social Anxiety Disorder

Treatment Options for Social Anxiety

Social Anxiety - Common Causes

Latest Social Anxiety Disorder News and Research

Study identifies most effective CBT components for treating ADHD

Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a well-known neurodevelopmental disorder that affects the brain's ability to regulate attention and control impulses.

4 Feb 2025

Neuroscience reveals how social rewards and relational value drive human connection

Though painful, social rejection can be a powerful learning tool, new USC research suggests.

11 Dec 2024

Depression and anxiety diagnoses in youth spiked during the COVID-19 pandemic

Researchers analyzed clinical data from over 1.7 million young people, revealing significant increases in diagnosed depression and anxiety from 2017 to 2021, with higher rates during the COVID-19 pandemic.

2 Oct 2024

University of Oxford’s online therapies offer hope for anxiety and PTSD patients

Urgent treatment solutions are needed for children, adolescents and adults with mental health conditions. Despite the government committing to spending 8.9% of all NHS funding on mental health treatment last year, the pipeline to build new facilities and train new staff will take years and, on their own, are insufficient to meet demand.

5 Aug 2024

Personalized brain circuit scores define six depression and anxiety biotypes

Researchers used functional magnetic resonance imaging data on brain circuit function to derive interpretable, personalized brain circuit dysfunction scores for patients with anxiety and depression.

19 Jun 2024

Early social anxiety in adolescents linked to later suicidal thoughts and depression

Adolescents who experience higher levels of social anxiety symptoms are more likely to report increased suicidal thoughts and other depressive symptoms two years later, according to new research.

10 Jun 2024

Good vibrations could provide a helping hand to people living with social anxiety

People who live with social anxiety could be given a helping hand to deal with their stress by the power of good vibrations, new research suggests.

4 Mar 2024

Gut microbiota linked to social anxiety behaviors

Study reveals that gut microbiota from individuals with social anxiety disorder (SAD) can induce social fear behaviors in mice, suggesting a causal role of gut microbes in modulating behaviors relevant to SAD.

2 Jan 2024

Kyoto scientists map double whammy gene clusters for anxiety disorders

Anxiety disorders (ADs) affect more than 280 million people worldwide, making them one of the most common mental health conditions. ADs have a genetic basis as seen from inheritance in families, and people with one subtype of AD tend to have another subtype, suggesting a shared genetic basis.

19 Dec 2023

The benefits and harms of screening for anxiety disorders in asymptomatic adults

Researchers examined the different aspects of screening for anxiety disorders in adults.

22 Jun 2023

Study demonstrates an effective technology-driven alternative to psychiatric medications for social anxiety

A new clinical trial conducted at Tel Aviv University has demonstrated an effective technology-driven alternative to psychiatric medications for people with social anxiety.

3 Apr 2023

Anxiety attack or panic attack: Both may have come from the brain

An attack can come crashing in like a storm on a clear spring day. In an instant, your heart pounds, sweat soaks you and you struggle to breathe.

29 Mar 2023

Seniors with anxiety frequently don’t get help. Here’s why.

Anxiety is the most common psychological disorder affecting adults in the U.S. In older people, it's associated with considerable distress as well as ill health, diminished quality of life, and elevated rates of disability.

10 Mar 2023

California author uses dark humor — and a bear — to highlight flawed health system

Mother-to-be Kathleen Founds made a routine doctor's appointment to discuss the risks of antidepressants in pregnancy.

31 Jan 2023

'Presence' of a virtual person can reduce anxiety in women

A lot of people feel less anxious in a frightening situation if they don't have to face it alone. But what if these people suffer from social anxiety - a disorder characterized by fears of embarrassing themselves in social situations?

17 Jan 2022

Moment-to-moment fluctuations in brain activity can reliably predict psychiatric treatment outcomes

It remains a central challenge in psychiatry to reliably judge whether a patient will respond to treatment.

14 Oct 2021

Social anxiety can increase distress related to mask-wearing during and after COVID-19

People who struggle with social anxiety might experience increased distress related to mask-wearing during and even after the COVID-19 pandemic.

21 Jun 2021

High levels of progesterone can reduce stress after concussion, speed recovery in females

Could birth control pills help young female athletes recover faster from concussions and reduce their symptoms?

16 Mar 2021

Antidepressant drug fluvoxamine may prevent some serious complications of COVID-19

In a preliminary study of COVID-19 patients with mild-to-moderate disease who were attempting to recover in their homes, researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis have found that the drug fluvoxamine seems to prevent some of the most serious complications of the illness and make hospitalization and the need for supplemental oxygen less likely.

12 Nov 2020

Yoga improves generalized anxiety disorder, study shows

The feelings of fear are normal emotions felt when the brain senses an impending danger or stress. Anxiety is the body's natural response to stress. In some people, however, they experience constant and overwhelming anxiety and fear, impeding their normal activities.

12 Aug 2020