To begin with, anxiety is considered “social” when it has to do with relating to others and/or being judged by them. (Of course, it is hard to separate the two causes, since interaction and judgment are so closely linked.) Social anxiety disorder occurs when the anxiety becomes pathological and hinders a person in efforts to live a normal, fulfilled life. The disorder may be generalized or specific. People who suffer from social anxiety disorder symptoms might also have other anxiety disorders.
It must be noted that, when pathological, the anxiety is not just a mild, low-intensity worry about what people may think of you. Sufferers might suffer a crippling fear of certain or many kinds of social interaction, which is why sometimes, the term “social phobia” is used as a synonym for social anxiety disorder.
Even so, social anxiety disorder is hard to diagnose, and there is a great deal of debate among experts as to how to properly define and spot it. For instance, a person anxious about approaching and interacting with potential date partners might not have a disorder at all, but may be shy. However, once this shyness is pathological, said person should seek help. Difficulty in approaching the opposite sex (or same sex, depending on your preference), may be a sign that you have a deeper problem. Then there is the fact that certain types of social interaction are “normally” frightening in some way. After all, dating can be quite scary, phobia or no, especially if you do not know the other person very well.
Dating anxiety is one result of this disorder. If you happen to suffer from the disorder, you do not need to give up on dating. Therapy is one solution for social anxiety disorder treatment. The person can go to individual therapy sessions and/or sessions with a support group of people who suffer from the same disorder. Medication is also an option, but these have side effects. Therapy and support-based treatments tend to work better, without compromising the normal workings of your mind and body.
