Other conditions that can cause symptoms similar to social anxiety disorder

Social anxiety disorder is not easily confused with anxiety that primarily results from physical disorders (such as head trauma or an overactive thyroid). However, other mental health conditions that can produce symptoms that are similar to those of social anxiety disorder include:^{1, 2}

• Panic attacks or panic disorder, which causes a person to avoid social situations that may cause a panic attack.
• Avoidant personality disorder, which may be a more severe form of social anxiety disorder.
• Obsessive-compulsive disorder, which may cause a person to avoid public places due to specific fears, such as of germs.
• Agoraphobia, which often occurs with panic disorder and causes intense fear of not being able to escape from a public place or situation.
• Depression. This commonly occurs with social anxiety disorder. Depression alone can sometimes cause social withdrawal due to lack of interest or pleasure in the company of others.³
• Generalized anxiety disorder, which causes excessive worry or anxiety and distress that is difficult to control.

Shyness, performance anxiety, and stage fright are common and should not be confused with social anxiety disorder if the anxiety experienced does not interfere with daily activities.

Citations

1. Raj BA, Sheehan DV (2001). Social anxiety disorder. Medical Clinics of North America, 85(3): 711-733.

2. American Psychiatric Association (2000). Anxiety disorders. In Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th ed., text rev., pp. 450-456. Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Association.

3. Stein MB, et al. (2001). Social anxiety disorder and risk of depression. Archives of General Psychiatry, 58: 251-256.