Diagnosis of Social Phobia

A diagnosis is made via a medical professional’s evaluation based on specific criteria.

Medical professionals diagnose social phobia when individuals have fear or anxiety that involves all of the following:

• Is intense and has been present for 6 months or longer;
• Concerns one or more social situations;
• Nearly always occurs in the same situation or situations;
• Involves fear of a negative evaluation by others;
• Leads the individual to avoid the situation or uncomfortably endure it;
• Is out of proportion to the actual danger; and
• Causes significant distress or significantly impairs functioning.

Also, medical professionals rule out other mental disorders that can cause similar symptoms, such as agoraphobia, panic disorder, or body dysmorphic disorder.