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When to seek medical advcieFeeling shy at parties or nervous about giving a speech doesne2€™t necessarily mean you have social anxiety disorder. If your fears or anxieties done2€™t really bother you, you may not need treatment. For instance, you may not like making speeches but you do so anyway without being overwhelmed by anxiety.What sets social anxiety disorder apart from everyday nervousness is that its symptoms are much more severe and last much longer. Social anxiety disorder disrupts your life, causes you distress and affects your daily activities.Common, everyday experiences that may be difficult to endure when you have social anxiety disorder include:ef‚a7Using a public restroom or telephoneef‚a7Returning items to a storeef‚a7Interacting with strangersef‚a7Writing in front of othersef‚a7Making eye contactef‚a7Entering a room in which people are already seatedef‚a7Ordering food in a restaurantef‚a7Being introduced to strangersef‚a7Initiating conversationsSocial anxiety disorder symptoms can change over time. They may flare up if youe2€™re facing a lot of stress or demands. Or if you completely avoid situations that would usually make you anxious, you may not have symptoms. Although avoidance may allow you to feel better in the short term, your anxiety is likely to persist over the long term if you done2€™t get treatment.Tests and diagnosisWhen you decide to seek treatment for symptoms of possible social anxiety disorder, you may have both a physical and psychological evaluation. The physical exam can determine if there may be any physical causes triggering your symptoms.Theree2€™s no laboratory test to diagnose social anxiety disorder, however. Your doctor or mental health provider will ask you to describe your signs and symptoms, how often they occur and in what situations. He or she may review a list of situations to see if they make you anxious or have you fill out psychological questionnaires or self-assessments to help pinpoint a diagnosis.To be diagnosed with social anxiety disorder, someone must meet criteria spelled out in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM). This manual is published by the American Psychiatric Association and is used by mental health professionals to diagnose mental conditions and by insurance companies to reimburse for treatment.Criteria for social anxiety disorder to be diagnosed include:ef‚a7A persistent fear of social situations in which you believe you may be scrutinized or act in a way thate2€™s embarrassing or humiliatingef‚a7These social situations cause you a great deal of anxietyef‚a7You recognize your anxiety level is excessive or out of proportion for the situationef‚a7You avoid anxiety-producing social situationsef‚a7Your anxiety or distress interfere with your daily living