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There are many symptoms of social phobia, an anxiety disorder that is characterized by intense fear and panic in social situations. They occur both in anticipation of and during the feared situation.

A person who experiences three of the following symptoms is likely to suffer from social phobia, but this list should be considered an informative guideline, not a tool for diagnosing yourself or others. Only a mental health professional can make an accurate diagnosis. Keep in mind that in order to diagnose a minor with social anxiety disorder, symptoms should last at least six months.

The symptoms are divided in three groups – physical symptoms, cognitive symptoms, and personality traits.

Physical symptoms:
-A tendency to blush
-Shaky voice and trembling of hands and feet
-Sweaty or cold hands
-Intense sweating
-Panic attacks (one of the main indicators)
-Muscular tension
-Shortness of breath or breathing difficulties
-Pain or pressure on the thorax
-Diarrhea
-Confusion
-Difficulty making eye contact

Cognitive symptoms:
-Fear of being judged or criticized
-Anxiety or fear of being in the spotlight
-Fear of showing symptoms of distress
-The belief that others see you as anxious, weak, crazy or stupid
-Fear of meeting strangers
-Fear of authority figures
-Anxiety that is so strong it disrupts routine daily activities

Personality traits:
-Low self-confidence and self-esteem
-Difficulty with being assertive
-Negative thought patterns - “I'll appear stupid”, “They're not interested in what I've got to say”, etc
-Undeveloped social skills
-Excessive sensitivity to criticism

The listed personality traits, combined with panic attacks in social situations, make a solid case that an individual is suffering from social anxiety disorder. If you suspect somebody you know is socially phobic, refer them to a mental professional who can make an accurate diagnosis.