Common "Social Anxiety Disorder" queries answered by top doctors | iCliniq

Social Anxiety Disorder

Social anxiety disorder is characterized by extreme fear or anxiety to socialize, including fear of talking with people, meeting new people, and attending social gatherings. It is persistent and affects one's work, schooling, and relationships outside the family. Past negative experiences, family history, or serotonin imbalance can result in social anxiety disorder. Cognitive behavior therapy, group therapy, exposure therapy, getting adequate sleep, and avoiding caffeine help in its treatment.

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All the answers published in this website are written by verified medical doctors, therapists and health experts. The Content has been moderated by iCliniq medical review team before publication. Post your medical clarifications on iCliniq by choosing the right specialty and get them answered. Your medical queries will be answered 24/7 by top doctors from iCliniq.

What to do if I have lost confidence to talk with people?

Query: Hello doctor, I am 25 years old female. I have some problem due to some failures. I have lost confidence and whenever I write any exam my heartbeat and pulse increases and I start shivering despite I knew all the things. And when I meet any person I do not have enough confidence to talk with him fre...  Read Full »


Dr. Seikhoo Bishnui

Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. The problem is occurring due to poor confidence most likely due to social anxiety. Please visit a psychiatrist for help. SSRI (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor) drugs like Escitalopram or Fluoxetine can be used to reduce the symptoms and will surely help you.   Read Full »

I feel uncomfortable among people. Why?

Query: Hello doctor,I feel weird when I am among people. I get scared sometimes. On some occasions, my mind is just blank. I do not know what to say in response, and when the conversation ends, I feel like I should have to say something good. These things depress me more.  Read Full »


Dr. Vandana Patidar

Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. I understand your problem. You seem to have social anxiety or anxious personality traits. This is one of the most common psychiatric problem people usually encounter but there is always a solution to every problem. Yours also has a solution. There is a therapy called...  Read Full »

Can a therapy dog help with my depression?

Query: Hello doctor, I am a 16 year old. I have social anxiety and depression. I find it hard to talk to people, especially in public. I also have a problem with talking about my feelings face to face, making the idea of a therapist very nerve-wrecking. I am not sure if I would talk. I would probably just ...  Read Full »


Dr. Seikhoo Bishnui

Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. A therapy dog can help in relieving anxiety. But, since your anxiety is related to social situations, I do not think that a therapy dog will relieve your social anxiety. The anxiety will go away with exposure or by systematic desensitization. You have to take the first...  Read Full »

I suspect of having anxiety. How can I manage it?

Query: Hello doctor, I suppose I am suffering from anxiety. Also, I get scared of certain people or situations where I feel that I will be judged. Always, I think that people are judging me on whatever I do. So, I get anxious. This is a pattern since long. I understand that I can overcome it, as I find tha...  Read Full »


Dr. Seikhoo Bishnui

Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. I can understand your problem. Feelings that people are judging you, becoming conscious when people are around you could be occurring due to anxiety, most likely social anxiety. This should be evaluated properly. Do you have difficulty in talking with strangers or ladi...  Read Full »

I suffer from social anxiety. Please help.

Query: Hello doctor, I am 28 years old. I am suffering from social anxiety. Some years back, I joined as a lecturer. After some days, when I start teaching the students and if they do not understand what I am teaching, I feel profuse sweating in arms and face. So, I get very shy. I left the job now. I cons...  Read Full »


Dr. Vishal Anilkumar Gandhi

Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. You may indeed have a social anxiety disorder. You need to build up confidence in yourself. Start talking with yourself by looking at a mirror with eye to eye contact. Talk with a new person daily, just small talk like hi or hello. Start doing exercise daily. Go for sw...  Read Full »

I suffer from anxiety. What medication can help?

Query: Hello doctor, I am a male who was diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) and social anxiety, eight years back. Initially, I was prescribed Paxil 20 mg, which helped treat my anxiety and depression but I started having side effects of weight gain, fatigue, and sexual dysfunction. When I st...  Read Full »


Dr. Manjunadh M

Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. Paroxetine acts on multiple receptors, and it is known for its withdrawal effects of weight gain due to its antihistaminic and anticholinergic action. SSRI (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) can cause significant sexual dysfunction. Usually, Bupropion along with SS...  Read Full »

I have an issue with my smile. Is that a psychological problem or nerve issue?

Query: Hi doctor, I am 16 years old and not good. I have a smile issue. I think it started before 5 years if I am not wrong. I feel like I cannot put a smile for more than 3 to 4 seconds ,and sometimes I think it trembles. My smile is very uncomfortable and weird. This whole thing has caused me social anxi...  Read Full »


Dr. Awadhesh P. Singh Solanki

Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. Smile is a complex process executed by a group of muscles and nerves. If you are having difficulty while smiling, then it could be because of psychological or organic cause. Psychological cause includes anxiety disorders, and organic cause includes nerve damage. I would ...  Read Full »

I am stressed, unhappy, and have poor social skills. Why?

Query: Hello doctor, I am a 26-year-old male. My weight is 130 pounds, and my height is 5 feet 8 inches. I grew up with great responsibility for my family, but never fulfilled it up to the mark, besides living my life in fear from society. I managed good academics and achieved some standards over time. But...  Read Full »


Dr. Saraswat Kumarshri Shriniwas

Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. I have gone through your query in detail and would like to summarize your current symptoms: Feeling sad, excess worries, poor cognitive abilities (memory and thinking), social anxiety (fear of people), reduced energy levels (lazy and tired), low self-confidence and feel...  Read Full »

I believe people always laugh and talk about me. Why?

Query: Hello doctor,When I was walking down the aisle, I heard some people laugh. It was not for me, but it felt like it was toward me. I used to lean down my head when walking because I thought that when I saw others, it appeared as though they had business to discuss with me or that if I raised my head, ...  Read Full »


Dr. Seikhoo Bishnui

Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. I have read the query, and I can understand your concern. The feeling that someone is watching you or will laugh at you could be anxiety. It could be due to social anxiety. In social anxiety, individuals have feelings that they are being judged. If these symptoms r...  Read Full »

Is it okay to take Inderal for public anxiety?

Query: Hi doctor, I am getting panic to face people. I want to overcome it as it makes me sad. I am a teacher and this frustrates me when I have to say something in front of pupils. When I am in class I do not have a problem. But for example, when all the students gathered in the yard I used to avoid speak...  Read Full »


Dr. Seikhoo Bishnui

Answer: HI, Welcome to icliniq.com. The symptoms and details you have mentioned clearly suggest social anxiety disorder. In social situations like speaking in front of a gathering, talking to someone of high reputation, speaking with opposite sex individuals develop anxiety symptoms like redness of face, ti...  Read Full »

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