Which criteria must be met for a diagnosis of Social Anxiety Disorder?

For a diagnosis of Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD), one of the primary criteria is the presence of a persistent and intense fear of social or performance situations in which the individual is exposed to possible scrutiny by others. This fear often leads to significant anxiety and avoidance behaviors. In typical public situations, individuals with SAD may fear embarrassment, judgment, or humiliation, causing them considerable distress.

This condition is characterized by a specific type of social fear that goes beyond general shyness or introvertedness and often leads to a significant impairment in daily functioning. As a result, meeting the criteria of experiencing persistent excessive fear in public situations is essential for diagnosing Social Anxiety Disorder.

Other options listed relate to different mental health conditions: dysthymia and chronic depression are more aligned with depressive disorders, and mood episodes pertain to bipolar disorder, making them insufficient for diagnosing SAD.