Social anxiety disorder: Much more than shyness

Although social anxiety disorder is often dismissed as shyness, studies have shown it to have a chronic and unremitting course that is characterized by severe anxiety and impairment. The disorder has been aptly described as 'crippling shyness' . In fact, it is considered one of the most common mental disorders.

This article presents current and lifetime prevalence rates of social anxiety disorder for Canadians aged 15 years or older. It also discusses the age of onset, duration of symptoms, relationship with other mental disorders, the burden of the condition as well as the number of people with the disorder who sought professional help.