A12.7 Headache attributed to social anxiety disorder (social phobia)

Diagnostic criteria:
  1. Any headache fulfilling criterion C
  2. Social anxiety disorder (social phobia) has been diagnosed according to DSM-5 criteria
  3. Headache occurs exclusively when the patient is exposed or anticipating exposure to social situations

In social anxiety disorder (social phobia), there is marked fear or anxiety about one or more social situations in which the individual is exposed to possible scrutiny by others. The fear or anxiety is out of proportion to the actual threat posed by the social situation. Examples include social interactions (eg, having a conversation), being observed (eg, eating or drinking) or performing in front of others (eg, giving a speech). The person fears that he or she will act in a way or show anxiety symptoms that will cause him or her to be negatively evaluated (eg, be humiliated, embarrassed or rejected) or that will offend others. In children, the fear or anxiety may be expressed by crying, tantrums, freezing, clinging, shrinking or failure to speak in social situations.

The disorder is persistent, typically lasting for 6 months or more.