This screening tool is designed for anyone concerned about their anxiety in social situations and can help identify symptoms of Social Anxiety Disorder (also known as Social Phobia). Taking just 5-10 minutes to complete, this assessment is based on validated screening tools including the Social Phobia Inventory (SPIN) and the Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale, widely used by mental health professionals. Your responses are completely anonymous and confidential. What is Social Anxiety Disorder? Social Anxiety Disorder is a mental health condition involving intense, persistent fear of social situations where one might be judged, embarrassed, or scrutinized by others. It affects approximately 7-13% of people at some point in their lives and is not simply shyness but a treatable medical condition that can significantly impact daily functioning.

Important Disclaimer:

This is a screening tool only, not a diagnosis. Social Anxiety Disorder is highly treatable with proper support from mental health professionals. Please discuss your results with your primary care doctor, psychologist, or psychiatrist. If you’re experiencing a mental health crisis or having thoughts of harming yourself, seek immediate help by calling 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline) or going to your nearest emergency room. All responses are anonymous and confidential.

Understanding Social Anxiety Disorder

What Makes It Different from Normal Shyness?

Everyone feels nervous in social situations sometimes—giving a presentation, going to a party where you don’t know anyone, or meeting someone important. This is normal. Social Anxiety Disorder goes far beyond occasional nervousness:

Normal Social Anxiety:

Social Anxiety Disorder:

Core Features of Social Anxiety Disorder

Marked fear or anxiety about social situations where you might be scrutinized, judged, or evaluated by others. Common feared situations include:

Fear of negative evaluation: Deep worry that you’ll be judged as anxious, weak, boring, stupid, or inadequate. You might fear that others will notice your anxiety symptoms (blushing, sweating, trembling, voice shaking) and think poorly of you.

Physical symptoms that occur in or before social situations:

Avoidance behaviors: Actively avoiding feared social situations or enduring them with intense anxiety and distress. This avoidance can significantly limit your life—missing career opportunities, avoiding relationships, dropping out of school, or becoming socially isolated.

Safety behaviors: Subtle things you do to feel safer in social situations that actually maintain the anxiety:

When Does It Typically Start?

Social Anxiety Disorder usually begins in early to mid-adolescence (around age 13), though it can develop earlier in childhood or in adulthood. Without treatment, it tends to be chronic and often persists for years or even a lifetime. However, it’s highly treatable at any age.

Impact on Life

Social Anxiety Disorder can significantly affect:

The Screening Test

Instructions

To complete this screening accurately, answer honestly about your experiences in social situations. Think about the past month and your typical patterns. Choose the answer that best describes your experience. There are no right or wrong answers. All questions should be answered for accurate results. This screening includes questions about fear, avoidance, and physical symptoms in social situations. If any questions feel difficult, take your time or take a break. Remember, seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness.

Part 1: Core Social Fears (Mini-SPIN)

These three questions screen for key features of Social Anxiety Disorder:

1. Fear of embarrassment causes me to avoid doing things or speaking to people.

2. I avoid activities in which I am the center of attention.

3. Being embarrassed or looking stupid are among my worst fears.

Part 2: Specific Social Situations

Rate how much anxiety, fear, or avoidance you experience in each situation:

Interactions with Others

4. Talking to people you don’t know well

5. Meeting new people

6. Talking to people in authority (boss, teacher)

7. Having a conversation with someone you don’t know well

Performance Situations

8. Speaking in front of a group or giving a presentation

9. Being the center of attention

10. Being watched while doing something (eating, writing, working)

Social Gatherings

11. Going to parties or social gatherings

12. Entering a room when others are already seated

Public Activities

13. Eating or drinking in public places

14. Making phone calls in public or in front of others

Part 3: Physical Symptoms

15. In social situations that make you anxious, which physical symptoms do you experience? (Check all that apply)

Part 4: Avoidance and Impact

16. How often do you avoid social situations because of anxiety or fear?

17. When you can’t avoid a feared social situation, how much distress do you experience?

18. How much does social anxiety interfere with your work, school, or ability to function?

19. How much does social anxiety interfere with your social life and relationships?

20. How distressed are you about having social anxiety?

Part 5: Duration and Insight

21. Have these symptoms been present for 6 months or longer?

22. Do you recognize that your fear of social situations is excessive or unreasonable?

23. Have you ever used alcohol or other substances to cope with social anxiety?

Results & Interpretation

How Scoring Works

Mini-SPIN (Questions 1-3):

Social Situations Assessment (Questions 4-14):

Overall Assessment: Consider your Mini-SPIN score, Social Situations score, number of physical symptoms, frequency of avoidance, and level of impairment to determine your overall risk level.

If You Scored High Risk (Mini-SPIN 6+, Moderate-Severe Social Anxiety, Significant Impairment)

What this means: Your responses suggest symptoms consistent with Social Anxiety Disorder. This is a serious but highly treatable mental health condition. Social Anxiety Disorder can significantly impact your life, relationships, and opportunities, but with proper treatment, the vast majority of people experience substantial improvement.

Next steps:

Important to know:

Treatment works best when it includes:

Red flags requiring urgent attention:

If any of these apply, seek help immediately through your doctor, a crisis line (988), or emergency room.

If You Scored Moderate Concern (Mini-SPIN 3-5, Mild Social Anxiety, Some Impairment)

What this means: You’re experiencing noticeable social anxiety that’s affecting your life, though it may not meet full criteria for Social Anxiety Disorder or may be mild severity. However, these symptoms are valid concerns worth addressing before they potentially worsen.

Next steps:

Prevention matters: Addressing social anxiety early can prevent it from becoming more severe and pervasive. Many people find that mild to moderate social anxiety responds very well to self-help strategies combined with brief therapy. Don’t wait until anxiety completely controls your life—you deserve support now.

Self-help strategies to try:

If You Scored Lower Risk (Mini-SPIN 0-2, Minimal Social Anxiety, No Significant Impairment)

What this means: Your responses don’t strongly suggest Social Anxiety Disorder at this time. You may experience normal, manageable levels of social nervousness, or you may have effective coping strategies already in place.

Remember:

When to reassess:

Maintaining good mental health:

Getting Help & Treatment

Treatment Options

Social Anxiety Disorder is one of the most treatable mental health conditions. With proper specialized care, the vast majority of people experience significant improvement or complete recovery. Effective treatments include:

Therapy

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Social Anxiety (CBT): The gold-standard treatment with the strongest research support. CBT for social anxiety includes:

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT): Helps you accept anxiety rather than fight it, while taking action aligned with your values. Particularly helpful if you struggle with accepting that you have anxiety or get caught in efforts to control or eliminate all anxiety.

Group Therapy for Social Anxiety: Specialized groups led by trained therapists where members practice social skills and exposures together. Can be especially powerful because the group itself becomes a safe place to practice being social and receive genuine feedback.

Mindfulness-Based Interventions: Learning to observe anxious thoughts and sensations without judgment, reducing their power over you. Often combined with CBT.

Medication

SSRIs (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors): FDA-approved medications for Social Anxiety Disorder:

Benefits typically seen within 4-8 weeks. Most effective when combined with therapy.

SNRIs (Serotonin-Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors):

Benzodiazepines:

Beta-blockers:

Important medication notes:

Treatment Approach

Comprehensive treatment typically includes:

  1. Accurate diagnosis and assessment of severity
  2. Psychoeducation about Social Anxiety Disorder
  3. Evidence-based therapy (usually CBT)
  4. Possible medication, especially for moderate-severe cases
  5. Regular practice of exposure exercises
  6. Addressing any co-occurring conditions (depression, other anxiety)
  7. Lifestyle factors (sleep, exercise, stress management, reducing alcohol/caffeine)

Timeline expectations:

What makes treatment successful:

Finding Help in the United States

Your primary care doctor: First step for initial evaluation, ruling out medical causes, and referrals to mental health specialists. Many primary care doctors can prescribe medications for anxiety.

Mental health professionals specializing in anxiety:

Finding a therapist:

Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA):

National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI):

Social Anxiety Association:

Additional Resources:

Insurance Coverage

The Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act requires most health insurance plans to cover mental health treatment, including therapy and medication for anxiety disorders, similarly to other medical conditions. Medicaid covers mental health treatment in all states.

What to do:

If you don’t have insurance:

Online and Self-Help Options

Evidence-based online programs:

Helpful books:

Apps:

Important note: Online resources and self-help are most effective for mild social anxiety or as supplements to professional treatment. Moderate to severe social anxiety typically requires professional therapy for best outcomes.

For Family & Friends

Supporting Someone with Social Anxiety Disorder

Social anxiety can be confusing and frustrating for loved ones. The person may seem fine in familiar settings but panic in situations that seem harmless to you. Understanding and support make a significant difference in their willingness to seek help and their recovery.

How to Help

Express concern with compassion:

Learn about Social Anxiety Disorder:

Encourage professional help:

Provide appropriate support in social situations:

Be patient with their progress:

Encourage healthy habits:

Take care of yourself:

What to Avoid Saying

Don’t say:

Do say:

When You’re Frustrated

It’s natural to feel frustrated when someone with social anxiety repeatedly avoids situations, turns down invitations, or seems to not be trying. Remember:

If you’re feeling frustrated:

Urgent Concerns

Seek immediate help if the person:

Take them to the emergency room, call 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline), or call 911 if they’re in immediate danger.

Scientific Source & Disclaimer

This screening is based on:

References:

Important Disclaimer:

This online screening tool is not a diagnostic instrument. It provides guidance only and cannot replace professional evaluation by a licensed mental health professional (psychologist, psychiatrist, licensed therapist, or counselor). Social Anxiety Disorder is a serious mental health condition requiring expert assessment and treatment from qualified providers.