Do you show symptoms of social anxiety disorder?

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Psychological symptoms of social anxiety disorder (social phobia)

* Intense worry for days, weeks, or even months before an upcoming social situation.
Not really social situations but how I'll be at a gig.

* Extreme fear of being watched or judged by others, especially people you don’t know.
Not really.

* Excessive self-consciousness and anxiety in everyday social situations.
Nope.

* Fear that you’ll act in ways that that will embarrass or humiliate yourself.
Nah. I know I will. It doesn't bother me.

* Fear that others will notice that you’re nervous.
Nah.

* Avoidance of social situations to a degree that limits your activities or disrupts your life.
Only when I'm angry, tired or just don't want to be around people.


The following situations are often stressful for people with social anxiety disorder:

* Meeting new people
Yes.

* Being the center of attention
Quite the contrary. I want to be the centre of attention.

* Being watched while doing something

People are very nosy, aren't they?

* Making small talk

Insufficient data to begin conversating.

* Public speaking

Not too bad at this actually. Never had an anxiety attack over it.

* Performing on stage

Don't really know. Not really phased by it.

* Being teased or criticized

I get get angry and feel like hitting people.

* Talking with “important” people or authority figures

Feds are scawry.

* Being called on in class

In school, yes. Not so much anymore.

* Going on a date

Yes. But I don't care for it anymore.

* Making phone calls

A little.

* Using public bathrooms

No. I have a weak bladder. TMI?

* Taking exams.

Nope.

* Eating or drinking in public

Nope. Even when I get pizza sauce all over my face. I need to eat as soon as I'm hungry or there be trouble.

* Speaking up in a meeting

Nope. I think I'd have problems knowing when to speak up.

* Attending parties or other social gatherings

No. They are fun unless I'm sensory overstimulated or I start seizing up.

Wow, I'm doing good these days.

I have a lot of those symptoms, but I think it ties in with my having Asperger's rather than having an entirely separate disorder.

I think I've already been diagnosed with Generalized Anxiety Disorder, anyway.

Psychological symptoms of social anxiety disorder (social phobia)

* Intense worry for days, weeks, or even months before an upcoming social situation.
Not so much. I mean, sometimes I'll be that way, and I often will worry to a slight extent about how weird I'll sound days before a social situation, but the worry usually ratchets itself itself up hours/minutes before said interaction.

* Extreme fear of being watched or judged by others, especially people you don’t know.
Not "extreme". I do try and be more polite/agreeable/ a "nice guy" than I sometimes feel like being, though it's less out of a desire to not be judged (That does come into play) and more out of a desire to not share my problems/expose myself too much despite being in a public setting. Or that's my best guess

* Excessive self-consciousness and anxiety in everyday social situations.
"Excessive" is a sticky word. Most people would say that yeah, I probably am too self-conscious or anxious in social situations and that I do stutter too much, I am too rigid, etc, but you have to look at things in context to really have a fair appreciation of what's "excessive". I'm HFA/AS and am therefore understandably bad at socializing, as are many people with it, and am aware of that fact, so I don't think it's fair to say my self-consciousness and anxiety in social situations are "excessive" from the standpoint of having acknowledged those facts. That's not to say I couldn't improve (and I have improved in many respects from where I was at before as a "social" being), but is it excessive, given my circumstances? Not in my view, just as it's not "excessive" for somebody with a fear of heights to have a breakdown after being forced on to a ferris wheel, although by all means, yes, they can improve and become less afraid.

* Fear that you’ll act in ways that that will embarrass or humiliate yourself.
I know there's a good probability I'll do something that will, so perhaps I should just "Go with the flow", as pensieve does, since it does seem like the most logical approach, but not how it works for me. In these instances, the feeling of fear overrides the logic of the approach that I should take. It's sort of like socializing, the idea being for me that I like I've said, I have something of the idea of the "blueprint" for socialization, but I still have difficulty actually socializing when rubber hits the road. That said, although the fear does still present itself, it is by no means crippling fear.

* Fear that others will notice that you’re nervous.
Yes.

* Avoidance of social situations to a degree that limits your activities or disrupts your life.
Somewhat. I stress about most social interactions, even the little ones, to the extent that I avoid participating in those, though I'll sometimes just "Suck it up" and go to the store and grab a paper/snack, in spite of my anxiety (by no means is that the rule as opposed to the exception, however.). That said, I wish I didn't have to suck it up as often as I do. I don't want to not be awkward, because that was and is part of my personality, nor do I want to stop being an introvert, because that's who I am, but I do sometimes desire to be less anxious than I am.


The following situations are often stressful for people with social anxiety disorder:

* Meeting new people
Yes.

* Being the center of attention
Yup.

* Being watched while doing something
Ja.

* Making small talk

Small talk is very bothersome. If you don't fill the awkward gap with something, people will think you're bizarre, but it's always painfully dull as well as awkward for me, because A) It's boring, as said, and I'm trying to force myself to act as if it's interesting and B) Because I'm not a good socializer. I choose the former route in most circumstances. I'm going to be viewed as awkward anyways, so why make the effort to stumble through trying to sound "Normal", which also involves forcing myself into lame small talk? Not the most pragmatic approach.

* Public speaking

Yeah. It's bad enough trying to talk to one person, worse trying to talk to a group of hundreds of thousands and it's perhaps worst to know that those same people will have a bird's eye view of my social imperfections.

* Performing on stage

From what little I've done (School musical.), it was very uncomfortable.

* Being teased or criticized

I shut down, ignore them or get angry.

* Talking with “important” people or authority figures

Somewhat.

* Being called on in class

Yes.

* Going on a date

Yeah, it's hard to get a feel for the other person and also, I don't want to kill my chances by appearing too "weird" (although I am...), to name a couple of roadblocks, so I do tend to be stressed out on dates. That said, although I haven't decided I'm not going to date, it's certainly not a priority at the moment.

* Making phone calls

Yes. I've become better at taking calls though. The way I see it, accepting a phone call is more "passive" while making a call is more "active" socialization. I'm merely accepting that in some circumstances, I HAVE to socialize or that it'd be most convenient for everybody else for me to in that situation, accept that responsibility (Although it's far from the case that I'll always answer the phone if I'm closest, especially since I don't know who it is unless it's my cell ringing.).

* Using public bathrooms
Yeah, somewhat.

* Taking exams.

Yes

* Eating or drinking in public
Yes. I like to do that in private, especially since I can be a messy eater. Doesn't bother me as much if I'm around family (IE: They see me eating something), but I'm never going to be the type to sit around the table and eat with a bunch of people, even if I know them.

* Speaking up in a meeting

Somewhat, although I do believe I'd speak up if I felt what I had to say was ultimately more important than the discomfort it'd cause

* Attending parties or other social gatherings

Yes.

Last edited by Jordan87 on 24 Dec 2010, 1:20 am, edited 1 time in total.

I don't identify with the list of psychological symptoms, but almost everything listed as a stressful situation is for me.

Yes, in fact I self-diagnosed Social Phobia long before I'd heard of AS. As others have said, it was much worse when I was younger. I just seem to have a continuous stress level now.

I used to have a lot of symptoms when I was a kid. Now, I just don't care anymore. One time when they flair up is when I have a vested interest in performing well, such as during job interviews, work situations, and business deals. The symptom that bothers me the most is simple conversation. I'm afraid of saying the wrong thing or making a faux pas and not being aware of it.

No, I don't really show any of the symptoms of social anxiety disorder. I do avoid certain social situations, but it's not out of anxiety or fear. It's just that I find them draining, unpleasant and exhausting. If I need to go I can go and not feel anxious at all.

The things listed are generally not very stressful for me. I'm not particularly good at some of them, but I just do them as well as I can and don't worry about the rest.

I thought I had social anxiety, but as it turns out I don't really have many symptoms.

It depends. I wouldn't answer "no" or "yes" simply because sometimes I do (when I am really exhausted my symptoms show) but mostly I'm pretty good at hiding them for short periods of time. Growing up we all naturally learn to hide our 'symptoms' just to fit in with other people. Anybody with any 'abnormality' learns to conform to the best of their abilities.

I have exactly this. Back in early spring, my family arranged a garden party at my house, for a date at the end of the summer, and I was worrying and panicking about it throughout all the months of waiting. A part of me was excited about it, but my social anxiousness stepped in the way.


This is INTENSE, and I mean intense!! !! ! I hate going out in the street because I just worry and worry of what other people are thinking of me, and I have an obsessive fear of being looked at in case people are judging me. I don't mind men so much, but when other women look at me, I get anxious and upset. I can sense when somebody is staring at me, but sometimes my imagination runs away with me. I hope it's my imagination - this is what is causing all the anxiety about it: is it my imagination???


Yes - this is intense aswell. I hope readers are taking the word ''intense'' seriously here, because it is bloody intense with me. It's more intense than words can describe. I avoid social situations because I know I give off vibes (been told here on WP that all people with social disabilities give off a vibe, even if we dress up and act normal and friendly - so being told that has completely put me off social situations altogether ). So this is why I'm too self-conscious to show myself.


This is why I don't like the winter, when we get all the snow and ice, because of slipping over. It's not anxiety of hurting myself. It is the anxiety of other people seeing me slip over then having to just get up again in front of everyone and they're all staring at me (because that's how inconsiderate people are), and most laugh at me and think it's funny, which makes me feel even more embarrassed, and it's just something I can do without. It's OK when I'm with somebody, because we can just laugh together and I can block everyone else out, but when I'm on my own I can't exactly laugh to nobody because people will think I gone mad or something.


Like I said before, because I give off vibes no matter what I do (which is what I've been told several times on WP, which I am NOT happy about), I know that people can sense it, and won't bother speaking to me. Older people often lose the ability to sense these vibes (most do), and men don't sense the vibes so much either, but other girls around my age are very sharp on this, and I've been mocked, teased, sniggered at, stared at, you name it, before by teenage girls, and I don't like it one bit. So now I'm avoiding all the fashion shops, where young girls work.


Yes - this is me. I can get the bus on my own, because it's not too far to walk to the bus stop, and on the bus you're sitting down and could sit at the back where not many people see you, but otherwise, I do find it so difficult to walk out on my own - especially when there's likely to be crowds of people about. Today there's a funfair about almost a mile away from my house, and obviously I've avoided that because of the crowds (I don't feel like being stared at again today), and tonight they've got a fireworks display at the funfair which I wouldn't mind going to because I've got to face crowds of accusing eyes sometimes, otherwise I will become housebound, but I don't want to walk up there alone, so somebody has got to come and pick me up or walk down with me.

I suffer with my nerves aswell, which is why I have mini panic attacks when approaching a group of teenagers because you don't know if they're going to shout things to you or kind of let you know that they're taking the piss, which gets me all worked up and paranoid all over again. And also I get anxious when approaching a big family with loads of little kids aswell, because little kids are unpredictable - they're walking along quietly then they suddenly let out an ear-peircing shout or run right into you or something. I think it's kids what I could do without. Teenagers and little ones. They get on my bloody nerves.

Yes.


* Intense worry for days, weeks, or even months before an upcoming social situation.-No.
* Extreme fear of being watched or judged by others, especially people you don’t know.-No
* Excessive self-consciousness and anxiety in everyday social situations.-Yes
* Fear that you’ll act in ways that that will embarrass or humiliate yourself. Yes
* Fear that others will notice that you’re nervous.-No. I don't care what people think.
* Avoidance of social situations to a degree that limits your activities or disrupts your life.-No. I just go and keep to myself and do my own thing to keep myself busy. I don't see that as an impairment or a limit.



* Meeting new people-Yes.
* Being the center of attention-Yes. I don't like it and I would rather not be noticed because it's less stressful. People leave me alone.
* Being watched while doing something-Yes. It makes me nervous. I get nervous with my boss around.
* Making small talk-Yes. I am afraid I could say the wrong thing and I don't like doing it anyway.
* Public speaking-Yes. I don't like it. I can still do it and not care what people think.
* Performing on stage-No.
* Being teased or criticized-Yes
* Talking with “important” people or authority figures-Yes. I have a hard time talking to my boss.
* Being called on in class-No
* Going on a date-N/A
* Making phone calls-Yes. I hate phones calls and am not sure what to to say on it and it takes up my time in my routine and I don't always know how to handle it.
* Using public bathrooms-No
* Taking exams.-Yes. I am afraid of doing a terrible job.
* Eating or drinking in public-No
* Speaking up in a meeting-Yes.
* Attending parties or other social gatherings-No.

I think most of my fear of social situations came from the negative reactions I received for my awkward behavior as a child. I honestly don't really remember being AFRAID of social situations until high school.

As I've gotten older, social situations seem less terrifying and more like an annoyance.

* Intense worry for days, weeks, or even months before an upcoming social situation.
Not usually intense, unless my personal space is going to be invaded for an extended amount of time.

* Extreme fear of being watched or judged by others, especially people you don’t know.
Somewhat, but nowhere near extreme. It's just kinda annoying being watched.

* Excessive self-consciousness and anxiety in everyday social situations.
Usually only around people my age though, because I know that I'm not going to be considered cool enough.

* Fear that you’ll act in ways that that will embarrass or humiliate yourself.
Yes, but my fears are justified. I don't think I've ever gone more than a day without embarrassing myself.

* Fear that others will notice that you’re nervous.
I'm wise enough not to let myself fall into this infinite feedback loop.

* Avoidance of social situations to a degree that limits your activities or disrupts your life.
Sometimes I do enjoy social situations, but only in moderation. I don't necessarily think this is due to anxiety. I usually just don't expect to enjoy the experience, and that's why I avoid such situations.

* Meeting new people
Much more than anything else. I absolutely hate formally introducing myself.

* Being the center of attention
Depends on the situation. If I have to be the center of attention, as long as I've planned it out I'm fine with it.

* Being watched while doing something
Like I said, it's really just annoying. All I can think is "What is this person doing standing next to me like that?"

* Making small talk
I don't really care, and I'm sure you don't either. What's the point of this?

* Public speaking
As long as I'm prepared, I'm better than average in this category.

* Performing on stage
Never done it before, actually.

* Being teased or criticized
It has happened far too often in the past.

* Talking with “important” people or authority figures
Is much easier for me than talking with unimportant people.

* Being called on in class
I don't volunteer to give out an answer, but if I'm called on it's no problem.

* Going on a date
This is stressful for normal people too.

* Making phone calls
I don't like doing it, but I will if I must.

* Using public bathrooms
I don't care if I fart while I'm on the toilet.

* Taking exams.
Doesn't bother me.

* Eating or drinking in public
Doesn't bother me. If anything, it makes me more comfortable having something in my hand.

* Speaking up in a meeting
I'm either going to say nothing, or I'll get everyone's attention and say what needs to be said loudly and clearly.

* Attending parties or other social gatherings
I've never really enjoyed parties. I'm just there for the food, and will chat as necessary.

Only one for me: being watched whilst doing something.
If that is the case though I'm not a nice person to be around. I'm not the shrinking violet I may otherwise appear to be.

My problems in other situations are I don't know what to do - literally. Not for every situation, but for any other where I have trouble.

If told what to do I will go right ahead and do it, however most people think I'm acting stupid and will not tell me what to do. As a result I still have much to learn. Observation of others doesn't teach me much.

I can't generalise this to most on the spectrum, this is just how it works in practice for me.

So no, I don't think I have social anxiety disorder. I am just socially clueless (in general).

I have all of them, and some to an extent that makes my life unbearable at times.

Does anybody know if there's a cause for this? Or are you just born with it like autism?

I definitely have traits of it.