Some people suffer from a feeling that a thousand eyes are watching every move they make. In addition, they may be preoccupied with the impression that they make on others, usually assuming it to be negative. As a result, these people may avoid situations in which they will have to interact with large numbers of people. How would you categorize this behaviour?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The behavior described in the prompt is consistent with the symptoms of social anxiety disorder, which is characterized by a persistent fear of social situations and intense anxiety or self-consciousness in those situations. People with social anxiety disorder often have a fear of negative evaluation by others and may avoid social situations as a result of this fear. Panic attacks may be a symptom of social anxiety disorder, but they are not the primary characteristic of the disorder. Agoraphobia involves a fear of being in situations from which escape may be difficult or embarrassing and is not the best choice for this prompt. Generalized anxiety disorder involves excessive anxiety and worry about a variety of life events, rather than a specific fear of social situations.

Some People Suffer from a Feeling That a Thousand Eyes