Social Anxiety Test

This is a questionnaire to help construct the definition of social anxiety.  Being anxious in social situations is a “normal” human condition. As social beings, we feel the need to get along with others. Being in communities gives us a sense of belonging and safety. The flip-side of having such need to belong to group or groups, is having to behave in manners that is conducive to being an accepted member in the groups. Social anxiety can become a “disorder” if it pervades our minds, keeping us from normal functioning as a happy person. Having fears of being judged by other’s for example keeps us from being in contact from other people, and the result is self-imposed isolation and loneliness.

In extreme cases of social anxiety, the individual loses all interest in stepping out of the home.  Sometimes severity of symptoms get worse with age. These factors vary individually.

Psychotherapy works for social anxiety through a 2 step process:

  • behavioral change : client is motivated to make baby steps, like making eye contact in conversation, leaving the house, envisioning a change. This measure helps the patient active in making change, but does not necessarily solve the underlying problem.
  • emotional awareness: client is supported in being aware of negative feelings (of e.g. fear / panic / loss etc.) that underlie the anxiety. This method provides for lasting alleviation of the distress.

Group therapy is recommended for clients who have progressed in individual therapy or who have very mild anxiety.

The goal of therapy in this situation is to enable the client to analyze the root of his/her distress, overcome setbacks, and learn new behaviors that would turn into second nature.

The test below is by no means diagnostic, but rather educational. If you or anyone you know find the self having debilitating issues regarding social anxiety, do seek a professional’s services.

 

 

1.I feel relaxed even in unfamiliar social situations.
2.I try to avoid situations which force me to be very sociable.
3.It is easy for me to relax when I am with strangers.
4.I have particular desire to avoid people.
5.I often find social occasions upsetting.
6.I usually feel calm and comfortable at social occasions.
7.I am usually at ease when talking to someone of the opposite sex.
8.I try to avoid talking to people unless I know them well.
9.If the chance comes to meet new people, I often take it.
10.I often feel nervous or tense in casual get-togethers in which both sexes are present.
11.I am usually nervous with people unless I know them well.
12.I usually feel relaxed when I am with a group of people.
13.I often want to get away from people.
14.I usually feel uncomfortable when I am in a group of people I don’t know.
15.I usually feel relaxed when I meet someone for the first time.
16.Being introduced to people makes me tense and nervous.
17.Even though a room is full of strangers, I may enter it anyway.
18.I would avoid walking up and joining a large group of people.
19.When my superiors want to talk with me, I talk willingly.
20.I often feel on edge when I am with a group of people.
21.I tend to withdraw from people.
22.I don’t mind talking to people at parties or social gatherings.
23.I am seldom at ease in a large group of people.
24.I often think up excuses in order to avoid social engagements.
25.I sometimes take the responsibility for introducing people to each other.
26.I try to avoid formal social occasions.
27.I usually go to whatever social engagements I have.
28.I find it easy to relax with other people.

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