Search Here

Social anxiety and social phobia are terms often used interchangeably, yet there are distinctions between the two.

What is Social Phobia?

Social phobia, a term still used interchangeably with social anxiety disorder, originally referred to a specific fear of being scrutinized and judged while performing tasks in public. People with social phobia experience extreme distress in situations such as making presentations, eating in crowded places, using public restrooms, or public speaking. 

This fear stems from a deep-seated self-consciousness and a lack of confidence, making individuals worry excessively about making mistakes and being judged harshly. The American Psychiatric Association first listed social phobia as a disorder in its diagnostic manual, emphasizing the acute fear of public performance.

Is There a Difference Between Social Phobia vs. Social Anxiety?

When the term "social anxiety disorder" was introduced in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition (DSM-IV) in 1994, it encompassed symptoms of both social anxiety and social phobia. Despite this umbrella term, there remains a nuanced difference. Social anxiety primarily refers to intense nervousness and self-consciousness during social interactions, whether in one-on-one meetings or group gatherings. Social phobia, however, specifically involves fear related to performing tasks in public.

More Problematic

Previously, social anxiety, also known as social interaction anxiety, was not recognized as a clinically diagnosable disorder until the changes in the DSM in 1994. Before then, social phobia was the only recognized term. For many, social anxiety creates more significant life challenges, such as difficulties in job interviews, making friends, or pursuing romantic relationships, which can be more debilitating than the fears associated with social phobia.