SOCIAL PHOBIA SELF-TEST

Social phobia, or social anxiety disorder, affects more than 13 percent of Americans. It is a real and serious health problem that responds to treatment. The first step is seeking help. If you suspect that you might suffer from social phobia, complete the following self-test by clicking the "yes" or "no" boxes next to eachquestion, print out the test and show the results to your health care professional.

HOW CAN I TELL IF IT'S SOCIAL PHOBIA?

Yes or no? Are you troubled by:

Yes No An intense and persistent fear of a social situation in which people might judge you?
Yes No Fear that you will be humiliated by your actions?
Yes No Fear that people will notice that you are blushing, sweating, trembling, or showing other signs of anxiety?
Yes No Knowing that your fear is excessive or unreasonable?

Does the feared situation cause you to:
Yes No Always feel anxious?
Yes No Experience a "panic attack", during which you suddenly are overcome by intense fear or discomfort, including any of these symptoms?
Yes No Pounding heart
Yes No Sweating
Yes No Trembling or shaking
Yes No Shortness of breath
Yes No Choking
Yes No Chest pain
Yes No Nausea or abdominal discomfort
Yes No "Jelly" legs
Yes No Dizziness
Yes No Feelings of unreality or being detached from yourself
Yes No Fear of losing control, "going crazy"
Yes No Fear of dying
Yes No Numbness or tingling sensations
Yes No Chills or hot flashes
Yes No Go to great lengths to avoid participating in the feared situation?
Yes No Does all of this interfere with your daily life?

Having more than one illness at the same time can make it difficult to diagnose and treat the different conditions. Illnesses that sometimes complicate anxiety disorders include depression and substance abuse. With this in mind, please take a minute toanswer the following questions:
Yes No Have you experienced changes in sleeping or eating habits?

More days than not, do you feel:

Yes No Sad or depressed?
Yes No Disinterested in life?
Yes No Worthless or guilty?

During the last year, has the use of alcohol or drugs:

Yes No Resulted in your failure to fulfill responsibilities with work, school, or family?
Yes No Placed you in a dangerous situation, such as driving a car under the influence?
Yes No Gotten you arrested?
Yes No Continued despite causing problems for you and/or your loved ones?

Reference:
Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition. Washington, DC, American Psychiatric Association, 1994.

If you or someone you know would like more information on Social Phobia, please click here to go to the ADAA resource page on Social Phobia.


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