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Anxiety disorders
Social anxiety (social phobia)
An intense fear of being judged, making a fool of yourself or showing nerves in front of others, which leads to avoiding social situations or going through them with a lot of distress.
Common signs
- Fear of speaking in public or in meetings
- Blushing, trembling or sweating in front of others
- Avoiding phone calls, parties or eating in front of people
- Going over what was said after a conversation
Having some of these signs doesn't mean you have the disorder: only a professional can make a diagnosis.
Why does it happen?
Temperament, experiences of criticism or rejection and beliefs about oneself play a part.
How is it diagnosed?
Clinical interview and questionnaires assessing the fear, the avoidance and their impact.
Treatment
Cognitive behavioural therapy with exposure and social skills training.
Want some guidance? Take the Social phobia test: free, 2-3 minutes.
We're here for you at Clínica Vivaldi
Registered psychologists at Calle Chiva 25 (Valencia) and online across Spain. First appointment with no waiting list; we work with psychiatry and nutrition when needed.
Educational content based on the DSM-5-TR classification. It does not replace a professional assessment. Reviewed by the Clínica Vivaldi team, November 2026.