What is Social Anxiety Disorder primarily characterized by?

Social Anxiety Disorder is primarily characterized by an intense fear of social situations where individuals fear being judged, embarrassed, or humiliated. People with this disorder often experience significant anxiety in social interactions, which can lead them to avoid such situations entirely or endure them with extreme distress. This fear can manifest in various ways, such as blushing, sweating, trembling, or having difficulty making eye contact. The core of Social Anxiety Disorder lies in the anticipation of negative evaluation by others in social contexts.

In this context, the other options do not accurately capture the essence of Social Anxiety Disorder. The fear of open spaces refers to agoraphobia, excessive worry about financial issues points to generalized anxiety disorder or financial anxiety, and an inability to communicate verbally may be related to selective mutism, particularly in children, but is not a defining feature of Social Anxiety Disorder. Therefore, the premise that the disorder originates from an intense fear of social interactions is key to understanding its nature and impact on those affected.