Social Anxiety Disorder

Also known as SAD

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 by
Akeem Marsh, MD
Akeem Marsh, MD, board-certified child, adolescent, and adult psychiatrist
Medically reviewed by Akeem Marsh, MD

Akeem Marsh, MD, is a board-certified child, adolescent, and adult psychiatrist who has dedicated his career to working with medically underserved communities.

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Updated on August 22, 2023

Social anxiety disorder (SAD) is a mental health issue that involves a dread of social situations including performing or speaking in front of others for fear of being negatively judged. According to mental health experts, SAD impacts 7% of the U.S. population. Moreover, the United States Preventative Services Task Force recommends that adults under the of age 65 get regular screenings for anxiety.

Although it's common for many people to experience nervousness or feel "butterflies" when facing certain social situations, people with SAD are extremely self-conscious and worry about what people think to the point that they often experience physical symptoms. These may include a rapid heart rate, sweating, blushing, nausea, shaking, and lightheadedness.

People with SAD often benefit from psychotherapy techniques, such as cognitive behavioral therapy. Medication is also recommended to help cope and take control of the situation.

Living With Social Anxiety Disorder

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Frequently Asked Questions

  • Do I have social anxiety or am I just shy?

    Unfortunately, social anxiety disorder (SAD) is often dismissed as just extreme shyness. In general, the main symptoms that distinguish shyness from SAD are:

    • The impairment of functioning that it causes in a person’s life
    • The intensity of the fear
    • The level of avoidance
    Learn More: Shyness vs. Social Anxiety Disorder
  • Does social anxiety go away?

    For most people, social anxiety does not go away on its own, but treatment for it has been found to be effective. Social anxiety that occurs in all situations responds best to a combination of medication and therapy, while therapy alone is often sufficient for people with anxiety specific to one type of performance or social situation. So, if you've been diagnosed or think you may have SAD, know that it's possible to overcome it.

    Learn More: Treating Social Anxiety Disorder
  • Can social anxiety be cured naturally?

    While alternative treatments such as yoga or dietary supplements are not a substitute for evidence-based treatments for social anxiety, you may find that they help with particular SAD symptoms by promoting feelings of calmness. Alternative medicines should be considered complementary to treatments proven effective for SAD such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs).

    Learn More: Herbal Supplements Used for Social Anxiety

Key Terms

  • Anxiety Disorder

    An anxiety disorder is a serious mental health issue that causes a person to feel significant worries or fears. Because these worries will not go away on their own, they may get worse over time and can interfere with daily activities without treatment.

  • Phobia

    A phobia is a type of anxiety disorder that involves a persistent, excessive, and irrational fear of something like a situation, activity, object, person, or animal. Typically, people with phobias try to avoid the source of their fear; or if they cannot avoid the source, they may try to endure it even though they experience a great deal of stress and anxiety.

    What Is a Phobia?
  • Psychotherapy

    Psychotherapy is a process therapists use to treat mental health issues and psychological disorders. Through the use of different techniques and methods, a psychotherapist will help a client address psychological or life issues. While there are many approaches to psychotherapy, the overall goal is to help the client overcome problematic thoughts and actions.

    How Psychotherapy Is Used
  • SSRIs

    SSRIs, or selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, are a class of antidepressants commonly prescribed to treat a variety of mental health conditions including anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, and more. SSRIs work by increasing serotonin levels in the brain, which is believed to help regulate mood and anxiety.

    How SSRIs Are Used to Treat SAD
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Page 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.

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  2. US Preventive Services Task Force. Screening for Depression and Suicide Risk in Adults: US Preventive Services Task Force Recommendation Statement. JAMA. 2023;329(23):2057–2067. doi:10.1001/jama.2023.9297

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