Social Anxiety

• Social Anxiety occurs in 3% of population.

• It occurs equally in men and women.

	Answer the following questions :	YES	NO
1	Do you have marked fear of social / performance situations in which you are exposed to strangers or to scrutiny by others and in which you are afraid you would act in a way that will be humiliating or embarrassing or that people will notice your anxiety?
2	Do you recognize that the fear is excessive or unreasonable?
3	Is the exposure to the feared social situations provoking intense anxiety or panic attacks or physical symptoms like blushing, shaking, sweating, trembling, pounding heart, dry mouth etc.?
4	Do you avoid the feared situations?
5	Are the fear, anxiety and avoidance of the social situations interfering with your normal functioning or social activities?
5	Increased arousal: Difficulties falling or staying asleep Irritability Poor concentration Hypervigilence Exaggerated startle response

  If you answered YES to most questions you might have Social Anxiety and you could benefit from psychiatric treatment (antianxiety medication, behavioral therapy, relaxation exercises, individual or group psychotherapy etc.).