How do I know if I have social anxiety?

When you can't talk to people and you just feel so anxious around people than this means that you have got social anxiety

Social anxiety is defined by an excessive fear of social situations, such as talking to people, doing things in front of other people, or other similar social situations. Everyone experiences a little bit of social anxiety, such as stage fright, but social anxiety disorder (SAD) is a mental illness and can be treated. I'd talk to my doctor about it.

If you find that you avoid places with large numbers of people and get nervous talking to strangers or other people, you might have social anxiety.

Research symptoms, see a therapist or doctor, have a screening done. Social Anxiety can be screened for.

Social anxiety is more than a thought of worry. It is a feeling which encompasses you and makes you act completely differently in different situations. It's normal to be nervous meeting new people, or at a job interview. But not to be exerting physical symptoms (abdominal pain, illness) or to have extreme worries to the point of avoiding things you enjoy.

It's extremely common to just be shy in social situations, however social anxiety is an intense fear of everyday activities, such as speaking on the phone. It's natural to worry about social situations, but people with social anxiety disorder constantly worry and will get physical symptoms (e.g panic attack), social anxiety becomes more than just a worry. I'd say that if it disturbs your everyday activities and makes you worry about doing simple tasks involving socialising, then it would become social anxiety. The signs of social anxiety disorder are: fear of meeting strangers, fear of talking in groups or starting conversations, fear of speaking on the phone, fear of eating or drinking in public, having low self-esteem and feeling insecure about relationships, fear of being judged, and avoiding eye contact. If you worry about social interactions and doing simple tasks that involve social interactions, then I would say it is social anxiety. However, there is also just being 'shy', but if you're just shy then you won't feel the anxiety that people suffering with social anxiety disorder feel. The main sign of anxiety is always panic attacks, if you have a panic attack then it's much more than just a worry.

Social anxiety usually refers to someone becoming afraid, anxious, scared, upset, fast heart rate (or sweats, shaking) or agitated in public situations. It is commonly suffered by many but is usually found out after feeling these symptoms in public places, or when meeting new people. Anxiety usually needs to be diagnosed by a medical professional. I would talk to a medical to rule any other pre-existing conditions that could be causing symptoms that were mentioned above, and can let you know if you are suffering with social anxiety.

When I'm in a group situation and start to feel awkward and as though I'm going to jump through my skin and run for the hills.

You will know that you have a social anxiety when you feel like going out and living your life to the fullest, but you don't because you are afraid. You will be afraid of large groups of people, and any kind of gathering. Your palm will get sweaty, you might start having breathing problems, your heartrate will increase… People with social anxiety, sometimes, but not always, have problems with speaking. They tend to stutter. If they feel that society is putting too much pressure on them at some specific moment, their hands will start to shake and they will feel lightheaded.

First of all, you can look at the symptoms of social anxiety online. However, bear in mind that self-diagnosis can sometimes be harmful and actually make the problem worse. To know for sure if you have social anxiety, you should get a professional opinion from a psychologist/psychotherapist or an official diagnosis from a psychiatrist.