Social Anxiety Disorder DSM 5

There are a total of ten social anxiety disorder DSM 5 criteria, including:[3]

• anxiety or fear associated with social situations;
• fear of experiencing social rejection due to displaying anxiety in a social setting; 
• distress due to social interaction; 
• avoiding or reluctantly enduring social interactions; 
• disproportionate fear and anxiety to the actual situation; 
• fear, anxiety, or other distress around social situations persisting for six months or longer;
• the capacity to function in one or more areas, such as interpersonal relationships or workplace performance, is impaired;
• fear or anxiety that cannot be attributed to a medical disorder, substance use, or adverse medication effects; or
• another mental disorder; and
• if a medical condition causes excessive self-consciousness.

Doctors may use the social anxiety disorder DSM 5 criteria to evaluate a person’s mental well-being, but they may also use other assessment methods. Your Mosh doctor will happily discuss with you the available options for assessing your mental health situation if you are interested in them. 

To start with Mosh, simply fill out the free mental health quiz on our platform. A doctor will review the information you’ve submitted and get in touch with you if needed for further discussion via text, call, or video conference. Your Mosh doctor will provide you with tailored advice regarding your concern and recommend suitable treatment options as necessary for your situation. However, should you feel uncomfortable with the options presented, keep in mind that there is no obligation to push through with any treatment plan.

There are several types of anxiety disorders, and the most common are social anxiety disorder and generalised anxiety disorder (GAD). 

In general, people who suffer from GAD feel anxious every day. Their constant worry can interfere with their ability to work, study, or spend time with family and friends. On the other hand, a person with social phobia or SAD has a fear of being ridiculed, humiliated, or criticised even in everyday situations, like eating in front of or talking to others.[4]

You can increase your understanding of anxiety disorders by discussing the different types and symptoms with your doctor, which may also help you better understand your mental health situation. Because you can connect with Mosh doctors from the comfort and privacy of your home, you can freely talk about your mental health concerns or ask them any question you may be curious about without worry. 

During your consultation with your Mosh doctor, feel free to ask them questions like ‘how to not be depressed?’ ‘what is clinical depression?’ or ‘how to stop the feeling of anxiety?’ and they will provide you with science-backed answers. They will also consider a multitude of factors when assessing your health situation to improve your chances of finding the right solution for your needs. 

A doctor may diagnose social anxiety disorder if a person experiences any of the condition’s physical and psychological symptoms, including significant distress that stops them from doing daily activities, and if the symptoms persist for at least six months. Doctors may also use the social anxiety disorder DSM 5 criteria to make a diagnosis. 

A person diagnosed with the disorder may feel helpless, but it doe not have to be that way because effective social anxiety disorder treatment options are available. Research shows that cognitive behaviour therapy, behaviour therapy, and antidepressant medication can help treat social anxiety.[5] Your Mosh doctor can guide you through the available treatment options for your case, if necessary. 

Mosh mental health plans come with ongoing doctor consultations, so your doctor can monitor your progress or adjust your plan accordingly. During your follow-up consultations, you can ask your doctor for additional information about the social anxiety disorder DSM 5 criteria or a different mental health concern. They will address questions related to how to stop being depressed or how to treat depression with your best interests in mind. 

We understand that opening up about your mental health concerns may be difficult, and we want to assure you that you can take all the time you need to feel ready to do so. Know that when you are ready to address your concerns, Mosh is right here to help you.