Social Anxiety Disorder Test (3mins)
By
OptimistMinds
As a BetterHelp affiliate, we may receive compensation from BetterHelp if you purchase products or services through the links provided.
Author bio
The Optimistminds editorial team is made up of psychologists, psychiatrists and mental health professionals. Each article is written by a team member with exposure to and experience in the subject matter. The article then gets reviewed by a more senior editorial member. This is someone with extensive knowledge of the subject matter and highly cited published material.
In this brief social anxiety disorder test, an individual can have the self-assessment regarding the symptoms of social anxiety disorder. This Social Anxiety Disorder test can be used for screening purpose only and is not recommended for formal assessment. This Social Anxiety Disorder test will give valuable information regarding the presence of symptoms.
Social anxiety disorder test
Final Result :
What is Anxiety?
Anxiety is defined by The American Psychological Association (APA), is an emotion which is characterized by worrying thoughts, feelings of tensions and physical discomfort like stomach ache or increased blood pressure in the face of potential danger. anxiety symptoms cause distress but it does not always require medical attention.
Anxiety is necessary for survival. Since the earliest days of humanity, whenever any danger approached, it causes adrenalin to rush. The adrenaline is a body hormone and it triggers the anxious reactions, ''fight-or-flight. This, in turn, causes our ancestors to either confront the danger and fight it or run to take refuge in a safe place.
Now, the anxiety is revolving around money, work, health, family life and other areas of life that require an individual's attention. A common example of Anxiety would be looking at both sides of the road before crossing it because of the fear of being hit by a car.
Anxiety disorders
When the anxiety symptoms exceeds in intensity, it turns into Anxiety Disorder. It is a mental health diagnosis given to people with excessive worry, apprehension, nervousness, and fear.
Anxiety disorders change how an individual behaves and handles emotions that consequently cause physical symptoms. Mild level of anxiety symptoms causes discomfort and unsettling feelings but severe anxiety symptoms disturb a person's day to day life.
As defined by the American Psychological Association, diagnosis of Anxiety disorder is given when the individual is experiencing persistent intrusive concerns or thoughts. Normal anxiety symptoms when it exceeds a level that it starts interfering in daily life, it becomes an Anxiety Disorder.
Symptoms of Anxiety Disorder
There are many types of Anxiety Disorder and with their distinguished symptoms, however, more general type of Anxiety Disorder is called Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) which is most prevalent and consist of basic Anxiety symptoms such as:
- Feeling of being ”on-edge”
- Restlessness
- Excessive worry
- Excessive irritability
- Difficulty in concentrating and focusing
- Sleep disturbances
In daily life, these symptoms are normal to experience but those with GAD experience them on a higher intensity and persistently.
Types of Anxiety Disorder
Anxiety Disorders include the following types of diagnosis classified by The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Health Disorders: Fifth Edition (DSM-V):
Separation anxiety disorder: Excessive fear of separating from those to whom the individual is attached lasting for 4 weeks in children and 6 months in adults.
● High level of anxiety symptoms when anticipating or being away from home or attachment figure
● Persistent worry of losing a loved one
● Persistent worry of harm to oneself
● Refusal to go out, away from a caregiver
● Fear of being alone or sleeping away from home
● Nightmares with the theme of separation
Selective Mutism:
● Failure to speak outside of home in social situations even in school
● They can speak at home when the parents are present
● Inability to speak even in the presence of close friends or immediate family members
Specific phobia:
● Excessive fear related to a particular object or situation, for instance, height, animals or flying
● Avoidance of the phobic stimulus
● Children might show signs of this disorder by clinging, throwing tantrums, crying or freezing
Social anxiety disorder, or Social phobia:
● Fear of being in situations where others might judge based on performance
● Fear or having a conversation or meeting unfamiliar people
● The individual fears that his anxiety symptoms will show and he will be negatively evaluated
● Avoidance of social situations or endured with extreme fear
Panic disorder:
● Unexpected persistent panic attacks
● Sudden intense discomfort that reaches a peak within a minute
● Symptoms include sweating, palpitations, pain in chest, heat sensations or chills, fear of dying or losing control
● Excessive worry about having an unexpected panic attack
Agoraphobia:
● Extreme fear and avoidance of situations, events or places where escape is not possible in the face of danger
● It can be fear of open spaces, public transportation, enclosed places, being in a crowd or going outside of home
● They can avoid public situations to the extent that their everyday life becomes extremely difficult.
Generalized anxiety disorder:
The symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder have been explained earlier, this is the most common disorder among the population of having an anxiety disorder. It includes excessive worry about almost everything that causes discomfort and disrupts the day-to-day life of a person and those around him.
Description of the Social Anxiety Disorder Test
This test is developed on the basis of research, and DSM 5 criteria for the disorder. This is a brief tool to assess the symptoms. This test will give you valuable information if professional help is recommended in your condition or not.
Enjoyed this article? Then Repin to your own inspiration board so others can too!
Take Control of Your Anxiety Today: Personalized Counseling with BetterHelp
