Two people talking freely and one person who looks anxious

Social Anxiety Disorder Diagnosis

Social anxiety disorder is complicated and its diagnosis can be specific or general. Learn the diagnostic criteria needed so that you know what to expect.

Talking badly to yourself can worsen test anxiety.

Symptoms and Diagnosis of Social Anxiety Disorder

Medically reviewed by Steven Gans, MD

Brain scans, MRI scans

How Brain Imaging Helps Explain Social Anxiety Disorder

Medically reviewed by Steven Gans, MD

A doctor explains test results to a patient.

Mini-Social Phobia Inventory (Mini-SPIN)

Medically reviewed by Steven Gans, MD

Hormones can influence social anxiety

The Effect of Hormones on Your Social Anxiety

Medically reviewed by Steven Gans, MD

Woman completing questionnaire

Profile of the Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale

Reviewed by David Susman, PhD

Woman looking out window

Understanding Why You're Afraid of People

Reviewed by Rachel Goldman, PhD, FTOS

Questionnaires can be used to assess social anxiety.

Fear of Negative Evaluation Scale

Medically reviewed by Steven Gans, MD

Woman filling out a survey

Profile of the Social Avoidance and Distress Scale

Medically reviewed by Steven Gans, MD

A doctor and patient talk in a hospital.

Talking to Your Doctor About Social Anxiety

Reviewed by Rachel Goldman, PhD, FTOS