Social anxiety disorder
You might fear being judged, criticised, laughed at or humiliated in front of others, even in everyday situations. For example, eating in front of others at a restaurant might cause anxiety.
Common symptoms of social anxiety include physical and psychological symptoms.
Adolescents who are shy or socially inhibited are particularly at risk. In children, clingy behaviour, shyness, crying easily and excessive timidity may indicate temperaments that could possibly put them at risk of developing social anxiety.
Social anxiety can run in the family, in part because of a possible genetic predisposition.
Some people with social anxiety attribute the development of the condition to being poorly treated, publicly embarrassed or humiliated (for example, being bullied at school).
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