Is social anxiety the same as shyness?

No. Shyness is a personality trait. Social anxiety disorder involves intense fear, avoidance, and distress in social situations that interferes with daily functioning.

Can social anxiety be screened online?

Yes, tools like the Social Interaction Anxiety Scale (SIAS) and the Social Phobia Scale (SPS) are available for self-assessment, but professional evaluation is recommended for diagnosis.

Is social anxiety disorder common?

Yes. Social anxiety disorder affects approximately 7-13% of people at some point in their lifetime, making it one of the most common anxiety disorders.

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Social Anxiety Disorder: Screening and Self-Assessment

Peter Kolomiets

|March 18, 2026|Updated Apr 13, 2026|7 min

Social Anxiety Disorder: Screening and Self-Assessment

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References

American Psychiatric Association (2013). Social Anxiety Disorder in the DSM-5
Hofmann, S. G. & Otto, M. W. (2008). Cognitive-behavioral models and treatment of social anxiety disorder
Stein, M. B. & Stein, D. J. (2008). The epidemiology of social anxiety disorder

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