Social anxiety disorder goes beyond occasional nervousness
April 13, 2012|Tribune Media Services | Medical Edge from Mayo
Clinic  DEAR MAYO CLINIC: I'm often nervous around people and
sometimes avoid social situations. How can I tell if I'm just
shy or if what I'm experiencing is actually social anxiety
disorder?  ANSWER: It's natural to feel some nervousness in
certain social situations, such as talking in front of others,
confronting a problem with someone or being among strangers. But
social anxiety disorder goes beyond this, causing an excessive
anxiety or fear of activities and situations in which you
believe that others are watching you or judging you. In
addition, you may fear that you'll embarrass or humiliate
yourself. This may lead to:  Intense fears of being in
situations in which you don't know people. This can make it hard
to interact with strangers or initiate a conversation.  Anxiety
to the level that it interferes with day-to-day living. This can
make it difficult to use a public restroom, re