Feelings of shyness or discomfort in certain situations aren't necessarily signs of social anxiety disorder, particularly in children. Comfort levels in social situations vary, depending on personality traits and life experiences. Some people are naturally reserved and others are more outgoing. In contrast to everyday nervousness, social anxiety disorder includes fear, anxiety and avoidance that interfere with relationships, daily routines, work, school or other activities. Social anxiety disorder typically begins in the early to mid-teens, though it can sometimes start in younger children or in adults. Emotional and behavioral symptoms Signs and symptoms of social anxiety disorder can include constant:  Fear of situations in which you may be judged negatively Worry about embarrassing or humiliating yourself Intense fear of interacting or talking with strangers Fear that others will notice that you look anxious Fear of physical symptoms that may cause you embarrassment, such as blushing, sweating, trembling or having a shaky voice Avoidance of doing things or speaking to people out of fear of embarrassment Avoidance of situations where you might be the center of attention Anxiety in anticipation of a feared activity or event Intense fear or anxiety during social situations Analysis of your performance and identification of flaws in your interactions after a social situation Expectation of the worst possible consequences from a negative experience during a social situation  For children, anxiety about interacting with adults or peers may be shown by crying, having temper tantrums, clinging to parents or refusing to speak in social situations. Performance type of social anxiety disorder is when you experience intense fear and anxiety during speaking or performing in public but not in other types of more general social situations. Physical symptoms Physical signs and symptoms can sometimes accompany social anxiety disorder and may include:  Blushing Fast heartbeat Trembling Sweating Upset stomach or nausea Trouble catching your breath Dizziness or lightheadedness Feeling that your mind has gone blank Muscle tension  Avoiding common social situations Common, everyday experiences may be hard to endure when you have social anxiety disorder, including:  Interacting with unfamiliar people or strangers Attending parties or social gatherings Going to work or school Starting conversations Making eye contact Dating Entering a room in which people are already seated Returning items to a store Eating in front of others Using a public restroom  Social anxiety disorder symptoms can change over time. They may flare up if you're facing a lot of changes, stress or demands in your life. Although avoiding situations that produce anxiety may make you feel better in the short term, your anxiety is likely to continue over the long term if you don't get treatment. When to see a doctor See your doctor or a mental health professional if you fear and avoid normal social situations because they cause embarrassment, worry or panic.
feelings shyness discomfort situations aren't necessarily signs social anxiety disorder  children  comfort levels social situations vary  depending personality traits life experiences  people naturally reserved outgoing  contrast everyday nervousness  social anxiety disorder includes fear  anxiety avoidance interfere relationships  daily routines  work  school activities  social anxiety disorder typically begins early mid-teens  can start younger children adults  emotional behavioral symptoms signs symptoms social anxiety disorder can include constant:  fear situations may judged negatively worry embarrassing humiliating intense fear interacting talking strangers fear will notice look anxious fear physical symptoms may cause embarrassment  blushing  sweating  trembling shaky voice avoidance speaking people fear embarrassment avoidance situations center attention anxiety anticipation feared activity event intense fear anxiety social situations analysis performance identification flaws interactions social situation expectation worst possible consequences negative experience social situation  children  anxiety interacting adults peers may shown crying  temper tantrums  clinging parents refusing speak social situations  performance type social anxiety disorder experience intense fear anxiety speaking performing public types general social situations  physical symptoms physical signs symptoms can accompany social anxiety disorder may include:  blushing fast heartbeat trembling sweating upset stomach nausea trouble catching breath dizziness lightheadedness feeling mind blank muscle tension  avoiding common social situations common  everyday experiences may hard endure social anxiety disorder  including:  interacting unfamiliar people strangers attending parties social gatherings going work school starting conversations making eye contact dating entering room people seated returning items store eating front using public restroom  social anxiety disorder symptoms can change time  may flare you're facing changes  stress demands life  avoiding situations produce anxiety may feel short term  anxiety likely continue long term don't treatment  see doctor see doctor mental health professional fear avoid normal social situations cause embarrassment  worry panic
social anxiety disorder