Myths About Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD)

It can be difficult for family, friends, or coworkers to understand what you're going through or what SAD is. Some people may dismiss your feelings as shyness or become impatient. They may believe one or more of the following myths.

Myth: We all get anxious or embarrassed sometimes so you should just relax and get over it.
Fact: It's true that most people exhibit some anxiety in social situations, but for patients with SAD, this anxiety causes significant distress and interferes with daily activities and relationships.[1] Patients with SAD recognize that their fears are unreasonable, but the anxiety is not under their control.[1]

Myth: You're just shy.
Fact: SAD is not simply shyness. There may be physical causes that contribute to SAD symptoms. SAD can severely affect many aspects of your life. It may impair your ability to get along socially, to do your job, and to perform physical tasks.[1] SAD differs from shyness and performance anxiety in its greater severity, pervasiveness, and the distress and impairment it causes.[1]

Myth: SAD is only a psychological disorder, not a physical one.
Fact: People with SAD report approximately 3 times more days with disability and more physician visits than people without SAD.[2]

Myth: You need a tranquilizer to calm you down.
Fact: The first-choice treatment for SAD is typically a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI). The exact mechanism by which SSRIs work is unknown, but they are thought to help restore the chemical balance of serotonin in the body. For some people, changes in serotonin levels can affect how their brain sends and receives messages, and can affect how they feel. Other drugs such as a serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI) or other antidepressants may be used in the treatment of SAD.[3][4] Not all SSRI/SNRI medications are approved to treat SAD.

Myth: You'll have to take medication for the rest of your life.
Fact: Many people benefit from therapy alone, specifically, cognitive behavioral therapy or CBT.[3][4] Whether you're treated with CBT, medications, or both, discuss your treatment regimen with your doctor.[3] No medications approved for the treatment of SAD have been approved for combination therapy with CBT.

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