Which disorder is characterized by fear of social situations?

• A. OCD
• B. Social Anxiety Disorder
• C. Specific Phobias
• D. Panic Attack

Answer: (B)

Fear of social evaluation and performance contexts is what this item targets. Social Anxiety Disorder involves a persistent, intense fear of social or performance situations in which the person may be scrutinized or judged by others. They worry about embarrassing themselves, fear negative evaluation, and often go to great lengths to avoid social settings or endure them with marked distress. This leads to significant impairment in daily functioning, such as problems at school, work, or in relationships, and the fear typically lasts for a substantial period.

This stands in contrast to OCD, where the core issue is intrusive thoughts and repetitive behaviors aimed at reducing distress, not a generalized fear of social interactions. Specific phobias involve fear of a particular object or situation, not a broad fear of social encounters. Panic attacks involve sudden surges of intense fear with physical symptoms, which can occur in various contexts, not exclusively in social settings. Recognizing the social evaluation component helps identify this as Social Anxiety Disorder. Treatment commonly includes cognitive-behavioral therapy with exposure and, in some cases, SSRIs.