Healthdirect Free Australian health advice you can count on.

Medical problem? Call 1800 022 222. If you need urgent medical help, call triple zero immediately

healthdirect Australia is a free service where you can talk to a nurse or doctor who can help you know what to do.

beginning of content

Social anxiety disorder

6-minute read

What is social anxiety disorder?

Social anxiety disorder, also known as social phobia, is a recurrent disproportionate fear of social situations, where a person fears being judged, criticised or humiliated in front of other people.

Social anxiety disorder is not just being shy or nervous when in formal situations or when having to give a speech – situations where many people feel apprehensive. It happens in ordinary everyday situations, such as eating in public, meeting people, or being watched while doing something. A person may feel that they will humiliate or embarrass themselves.

The fear of embarrassment and of being judged causes people with social anxiety disorder to avoid or limit social situations, which may then impact their personal relationships, lead to loneliness, reduced success at school or work, depression and substance abuse.

What are the symptoms of social anxiety disorder?

Symptoms of social anxiety disorder are both physical and psychological and include:

  • feeling anxious in social situations
  • feeling self-conscious around other people
  • increased heartbeat, sweating, dizziness, and trembling
  • blushing or stammering when speaking
  • upset stomach — diarrhoea or feeling sick
  • replaying social situations repeatedly in your mind after they have occurred

The common physical symptoms of anxiety such as excessive sweating, a pounding rapid heartbeat, nausea, shaking, blushing and stammering can be particularly stressful for someone with social anxiety disorder since these symptoms can cause further embarrassment as the person worries that people may notice.

Symptoms of social anxiety disorder may be so intense that they affect your life and prevent you from participating in everyday social events in your personal or work life.

CHECK YOUR SYMPTOMS — Use the Symptom Checker and find out if you need to seek medical help.

What causes social anxiety disorder?

A number of factors may contribute to a person developing social anxiety disorder. These include:

  • genetic factors — social anxiety disorder can run in families
  • temperament — shy or excessively timid children or adolescents are more at risk
  • being bullied, embarrassed or poorly treated

Social anxiety disorder is common in Australia and often starts in childhood.

When should I see my doctor?

If you think you may have social anxiety disorder you should seek help from your general practitioner or a mental health professional. There are psychological treatments and coping strategies that can help, as well as medication.

If you find it difficult to interact with a medical professional, ask a friend or family member to help book an appointment for you. It may help if they go with you to the appointment.

If you can’t cope with seeking professional help yet, there are many online resources for coping with anxiety, including those for mindfulness and meditation, and peer support groups and helplines, where you can chat to other people who feel the same way.

FIND A HEALTH SERVICE — The Service Finder can help you find doctors, pharmacies, hospitals and other health services.

ASK YOUR DOCTOR — Preparing for an appointment? Use the Question Builder for general tips on what to ask your GP or specialist.

How is social anxiety disorder diagnosed?

A person can be diagnosed as having social anxiety disorder if they have had typical symptoms that have caused significant distress for at least 6 months.

How is social anxiety disorder treated?

Social anxiety disorder can be treated with psychological therapies (talking therapies). These strategies can help to change your underlying thinking patterns, which helps to keep anxiety under control.

Cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) is a type of psychological treatment which can be used to treat social anxiety disorder. In CBT, you work with a psychologist or doctor to identify unhelpful thinking patterns and reprogram them. It also helps with relaxation and breathing to manage anxiety. It usually takes between 8 and 12 sessions.

Many people with mild social anxiety disorder can be treated with psychological therapies only, but if the anxiety is moderate to severe, medications may be needed in conjunction with CBT. Children with social anxiety are usually treated with psychological therapies only.

The medications most often used to treat social anxiety disorder are antidepressants — specifically SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors).

How can social anxiety be prevented?

Social anxiety can be prevented by challenging negative thinking patterns and retraining yourself to avoid ‘safety behaviours’, which make you feel more comfortable in social situations, but are actually prolonging the social anxiety. Alcohol and drugs are an example of a safety behaviour.

CBT has been used widely to prevent social anxiety

What are the complications of social anxiety disorder?

It’s common among people with social anxiety disorder to suffer from depression, to have a problem with alcohol or drug use. People may use these substances to help with anxiety or to self-medicate anxiety, but then become reliant on them.

Resources and support

There are many online resources to help with anxiety and to overcome social phobia. Online support groups can provide the opportunity to talk to and hear from people who have had similar experiences. Here are some places to start:

For advice and to get connected to local mental health services, you can call Head to Health on 1800 595 212. Check the operating times.

Learn more here about the development and quality assurance of healthdirect content.

Last reviewed: February 2022


Back To Top

Need more information?

These trusted information partners have more on this topic.

Top results

How To Deal With Social Anxiety | Social Anxiety Explained | THIS WAY UP

Find out about how to deal with social anxiety (or social phobia) including the signs, symptoms, and treatment options for social anxiety.

Read more on This Way Up website

Social anxiety disorder - MyDr.com.au

Social anxiety disorder (social phobia) causes people to feel anxious at the prospect of everyday social interactions and causes symptoms such as trembling and sweating.

Read more on myDr website

Social anxiety disorder - Beyond Blue

Social anxiety disorder is when you experience intense anxiety about social situations or performing. Learn about symptoms and treatments.

Read more on Beyond Blue website

What is social anxiety disorder? | MensLine Australia

Have you felt very nervous or fearful when faced with social situations? You may be experiencing some of the symptoms & signs of social anxiety disorder.

Read more on MensLine Australia website

Social anxiety disorder | Anxiety | ReachOut Australia

Worried that you or somebody you know might be experiencing social anxiety disorder? Learn more about the symptoms and get advice online now at ReachOut.

Read more on ReachOut.com website

Learn the facts about Social Anxiety | WayAhead Fact Sheet

Social Anxiety Disorder is an intense fear, and often avoidance, of social situations that could result in negative judgments by other people.

Read more on WayAhead Mental Health Association NSW website

BRAVE Self-Help Program - Child Program

The BRAVE Program is a fun, online program that will help you learn ways of coping better with your worries.

Read more on The BRAVE Program website

BRAVE Self-Help Program - Teen Program

The BRAVE program is an online program that provides teenagers and their parents with information and skills to help cope with worries and anxiety.

Read more on The BRAVE Program website

Social anxiety and the festive season | MensLine Australia

Tips to deal with stress & anxiety social events can bring | The festive season often brings with it a busy social calendar - not everyone enjoys these occasions.

Read more on MensLine Australia website

Anxiety Disorders | Anxiety Signs and Symptoms | IBD Clinic

Anxiety is mental state characterised by a sense of worry or anticipation over a future concern. Anxiety disorders deviate from normal worry or nervousness

Read more on Mindovergut.com website

Healthdirect 24hr 7 days a week hotline

24 hour health advice you can count on

1800 022 222

Government Accredited with over 140 information partners

We are a government-funded service, providing quality, approved health information and advice

Australian Government, health department logo ACT Government logo New South Wales government, health department logo Northen Territory Government logo Queensland Government logo Government of South Australia, health department logo Tasmanian government logo Victorian government logo Government of Western Australia, health department logo

Healthdirect Australia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia and their continuing connection to land, sea and community. We pay our respects to the Traditional Owners and to Elders both past and present.