What is Social Anxiety Disorder?
Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD; also referred to as social phobia) is the third most common psychiatric condition in the United States and is associated, particularly in its generalized form, with significant distress and interference in functioning. People who suffer from this disabling condition fear and avoid a wide range of situations that involve social interactions and social performance. Examples of such situations include initiating or maintaining conversations, eating or writing in public, going to parties, dating, meeting strangers, or interacting with authority figures. The problem often begins in the mid-teens, but can also occur in early childhood. When left untreated, the course of SAD is generally chronic. The disorder is associated with significant impairment in work and social functioning and reduced quality of life. In clinical samples, patients with SAD describe difficulty keeping a job, attending school, or getting married. SAD causes considerable economic cost to society, primarily in the form of academic and employment difficulties. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is the most effective form of psychotherapy for SAD.