Anxiety Social Anxiety Disorder Symptoms and Diagnosis Differences Between Shyness and Social Anxiety Disorder By Arlin Cuncic, MA Arlin Cuncic, MA Arlin Cuncic, MA, is the author of The Anxiety Workbook and founder of the website About Social Anxiety. She has a Master's degree in clinical psychology. Learn about our editorial process Updated on March 07, 2024 Medically reviewed Verywell Mind articles are reviewed by board-certified physicians and mental healthcare professionals. Medical Reviewers confirm the content is thorough and accurate, reflecting the latest evidence-based research. Content is reviewed before publication and upon substantial updates. Learn more. by Amy Morin, LCSW Medically reviewed by Amy Morin, LCSW Amy Morin, LCSW, is a psychotherapist and international bestselling author. Her books, including "13 Things Mentally Strong People Don't Do," have been translated into more than 40 languages. Her TEDx talk, "The Secret of Becoming Mentally Strong," is one of the most viewed talks of all time. Learn about our Medical Review Board Print Tara Moore / Stone / Getty Images Table of Contents View All Table of Contents Common Symptoms Key Differences Screening Effects of Shyness vs. Social Anxiety Trending Videos Close this video player Shyness and social anxiety disorder share many characteristics. While the two terms are sometimes used interchangeably, they are different. Shyness involves feeling reserved or uncomfortable in social situations. Social anxiety, on the other hand, is more severe and causes people to experience fear and avoidance of social situations. At a Glance If you have spent your whole life feeling shy, how do you know if it is something more serious? As a parent of a shy child, you might also wonder if the behavior is normal or may be signs of a disorder. Shyness and social anxiety are similar and overlap in some ways. However, shyness is normal, while social anxiety is more severe and requires treatment. Keep reading to learn more about how to tell them apart. Common Symptoms of Shyness and Social Anxiety Disorder Shyness and social anxiety share many symptoms, such as: Blushing in social situationsFear of feeling embarrassed in social situationsRacing heartbeatSweatingWorrying about how others see themNegative self-evaluationsStomach upsetTrouble making eye contactFeeling awkward during social experiencesSelf-consciousnessSpeaking softly and maintaining a rigid body posture Social Anxiety vs. Shyness To distinguish between shyness and social anxiety, it is important to first understand what each of these terms mean. Shyness is a trait that emerges in childhood and causes people to feel uncomfortable or nervous in social situations or settings.Social anxiety disorder is a mental health condition that causes people to experience symptoms of anxiety that cause them to avoid social situations. Unfortunately, social anxiety disorder (SAD) is often dismissed as just extreme shyness. The reason many people don’t seek help for SAD is that they don’t realize that they have a recognized psychiatric condition. Symptoms of social anxiety typically appear in childhood. According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), 9.1% of teens between 13 and 18 and 7.1% of adults over 18 have social anxiety disorder. Unfortunately, research suggests that people with social anxiety disorder wait an average of 10 years before seeking treatment for their condition. Key Differences In general, the main symptoms that distinguish shyness from SAD areThe impairment of functioning that it causes in a person’s lifeThe intensity of the fearThe level of avoidance People with social anxiety disorder don’t just feel nervous before giving a speech. They may worry about the speech for weeks or months beforehand, lose sleep due to anxiety, and have intense symptoms of anxiety during the feared situation such as a racing heart, shortness of breath, sweating, or shaking. The symptoms usually do not go away but get worse as the situation progresses. The person with SAD usually realizes that their fears are unfounded but is still unable to control them. Shyness Personality trait Involves a fear of negative social evaluation Comfortable with familiar people Less confident around unfamiliar people Social Anxiety Mental health condition Involves an intense fear of social embarrassment Experience intense anxiety in social situations Avoid situations that trigger fear and anxiety Screening for Social Anxiety Disorder Your doctor or mental health care professional can conduct an in-depth interview to determine whether you meet the criteria for a diagnosis of SAD. However, as an initial step, he or she may have you complete a screening measure to determine the need for a more thorough follow-up evaluation. One such screening test is the “Mini-SPIN” (Mini-Social Phobia Inventory) that consists of just three questions. The Mini-SPIN (and it’s sister version the full SPIN) were created by Dr. Jonathan Davidson of the Department of Psychiatry, Duke University Medical Center. Studies have shown the Mini-SPIN is an efficient tool for diagnosing SAD among people of different cultures and languages. To complete the SPIN, your doctor will have you rate the following three items in terms of how true they are for you on a scale of 0 to 4, where 0 is "not at all" and 4 is "extremely present." Being embarrassed or looking stupid are among my worst fears.Fear of embarrassment causes me to avoid doing things or speaking to people.I avoid activities in which I am the center of attention. Generally, total scores of 6 or higher are indicative of possible SAD, however, only a trained mental health professional can make a diagnosis based on a full interview. In addition to the SPIN and Mini-SPIN, several other instruments may be used to screen for social anxiety disorder, including: Fear of Negative Evaluation Scale Liebowitz Social Phobia Scale Social Avoidance and Distress Scale Although screening instruments are very helpful in identifying potential problems with social anxiety, there is no substitute for a complete diagnostic interview conducted by a mental health professional. Your doctor can provide a full assessment or refer you to another professional more experienced in diagnosing the disorder. Effects of Shyness vs. Social Anxiety Childhood is when social skills develop in preparation for the challenges of adolescence and adulthood. Both shyness and social anxiety can affect social skills and functioning in similar ways, but the effects are more severe for those with social anxiety. Impact of Shyness While shyness is normal, it can impact a person's life and relationships. It can make it more difficult for kids to form friendships and socialize in school in childhood and adolescence. Poor social success can interfere with a child's self-esteem and confidence. Fortunately, since shyness is less severe than social anxiety disorder, people can often find ways to cope with their more reserved, reticent nature. It is important to recognize that shyness can turn into social anxiety. When it contributes to severe worry and avoidance of social situations, people may find their anxiety grows worse over time. Eventually, symptoms can reach a point where they become a diagnosable mental health condition. Impact of Social Anxiety Disorder Children who have social anxiety disorder often do not develop appropriate social behaviors. As children grow with the disorder, they may become accustomed to having social fears and create a life based on avoidance. Social anxiety disorder can have a devastating impact on your education, career success, financial independence, and personal relationships. Often it will lead to an isolated lifestyle and subsequent depression or substance abuse. At the same time, it is unfortunate that people wait so long or never get help when this disorder is treatable. In fact, studies show that nearly 70% of individuals suffering from SAD may be successfully treated with cognitive therapy. Keep in Mind If you believe that your shyness may actually be social anxiety disorder, it is important to make an appointment with your family doctor or mental health professional. Leaving symptoms untreated over a long period can worsen your anxiety and could lead to other problems such as depression or substance abuse. On the other hand, effective treatments such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and medication are available and have been shown to help with social anxiety disorder. The Best Online Therapy Programs We've tried, tested and written unbiased reviews of the best online therapy programs including Talkspace, Betterhelp, and Regain. 6 Sources Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. National Institute of Mental Health. Social anxiety disorder: More than just shyness. National Institute of Mental Health. Social anxiety disorder. Patel TA, Schubert FT, Hom MA, Cougle JR. 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Psychother Psychosom. 2016;85(6):346-356. doi:10.1159/000447013 By Arlin Cuncic, MA Arlin Cuncic, MA, is the author of The Anxiety Workbook and founder of the website About Social Anxiety. She has a Master's degree in clinical psychology. See Our Editorial Process Meet Our Review Board Share Feedback Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! What is your feedback? Helpful Report an Error Other Submit