- Is it social anxiety?
The signs of social anxiety in plain words, how it differs from ordinary nerves, what a diagnosis means, and what to do next.
- Shyness or social anxiety?
Shyness is a common trait. Social anxiety is a fear strong enough to make you avoid things and lose out. Here is how to tell them apart.
- Introversion or social anxiety?
Introversion is a preference for quiet. Social anxiety is a fear of being judged. You can have one, both or neither. Here is how to tell.
- Avoidant personality disorder
Avoidant personality disorder and social anxiety overlap a lot. The main difference is a deep sense of being inadequate. Here is what is known and what helps.
- Autism and social anxiety
Autism and social anxiety can look alike from the outside. They have different roots, often occur together, and are often confused. Here is how they differ.
- ADHD and social anxiety
ADHD and social anxiety often occur together and can look alike. Here is how they differ, why they overlap, and what that means for getting help.
- Performance anxiety
When the fear is only about speaking or performing in front of others, doctors call it performance-only social anxiety. Here is what it is and what helps.
- Taijin kyofusho
Taijin kyofusho is a social fear described in Japan: that your gaze, face, smell or blushing will upset others. How it relates to social anxiety.
- What keeps it going
Social anxiety stays because of a loop: watching yourself, hiding behind safety behaviours, and replaying conversations afterwards. Here is how the loop works.
- Why it starts
Social anxiety usually starts between 9 and 17. No single cause explains it. Temperament, genes, bullying and the changes of the teenage years all play a part.
- How common is it?
You may read that 4%, 12% or 36% of people have social anxiety. All can be true. Here is what each figure measures and which one to trust.
- Does it go away?
Without help, social anxiety often lasts for years. With the right treatment, many people get much better, and the gains tend to last. Here is what the studies show.
- Alcohol and social anxiety
Many people drink to get through social events. It can help for an evening, but it is linked to more alcohol problems and can keep social anxiety going.
- Depression and social anxiety
Social anxiety often comes first and raises the risk of depression later. Why they go together, how to spot depression, and why early treatment matters.
- Social media and social anxiety
Social anxiety scores among young people have risen in some countries. Whether social media is the cause is not proven. Here is what the evidence does and does not show.