Questionnaire guide
How can you tell shyness, social discomfort and social anxiety apart?
How can I tell whether I have social anxiety?
Shyness is common and does not stop you living. A social anxiety lead becomes more relevant when the fear of being watched or judged is intense, lasting, and it pushes you to avoid important situations or to endure them with strong distress. No online questionnaire can settle that. Only a professional can, after an interview.
What is the difference with autistic traits?
Social anxiety is mainly about the fear of a negative judgement. Autistic traits are more about the effort of following unspoken meaning, routines and sensory experience. The two can coexist: you can fear other people's gaze and, on top of that, struggle to decode a conversation. This test does not look for unspoken meaning. It looks for fear, avoidance and cost.
Why does the body react so strongly in these situations?
A racing heart, a trembling voice, a flushed face or a blank mind are part of the alarm response. They can precede the situation by several hours. These signs also exist in other anxieties. The questionnaire links them to social contexts, without treating them as proof on their own.
Why does this test not copy the LSAS or the SPIN?
The Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale and the Social Phobia Inventory are protected tools, designed for authorised clinical or research use. The questions here cover the same broad areas described in CIM-11 and the NICE and HAS recommendations, with everyday situations. The result cannot be compared with any published norm.
What can you do if this fear limits your meetings or your work?
Evaluated approaches exist, including therapies that work on gradual exposure and thoughts linked to judgement. A doctor can refer you. In the meantime, noting three avoided situations and what you managed to do despite the fear already gives a concrete basis for a first appointment.
Frequently asked questions
Questions you may have
Can this test tell me whether I have social phobia?
No. It only shows whether the fear of being judged, avoidance and bodily signs stand out in your answers. Only a professional can make or rule out a diagnosis after an interview.
Is being shy the same as social anxiety?
No. Shyness can be a trait, without a major impact. Social anxiety is mainly discussed when the fear is intense, lasting, and it restricts work, studies or relationships.
Can you be at ease with a few close people and uncomfortable in a group?
Yes. Discomfort often depends on the type of situation, the number of people and the feeling of being watched. The questionnaire explores several contexts without treating them as a single rule.
Does the stress of a presentation count as social anxiety?
One-off stage fright is very common. A lead becomes more informative when the fear comes back in several situations, over a long time, and it pushes you to avoid or to suffer strongly.
Who should I consult to talk about it?
You can start with a doctor, who will look for other causes and refer you. Depending on the situation, a psychologist or psychiatrist used to anxiety conditions can offer suitable support.