Social Anxiety Disorder (Social Phobia) What Is Social Anxiety Disorder Social Anxiety Disorder ( SAD ), which is also referred to as Social Phobia , is a disorder that causes a person to feel intense fear in social situations that involve interaction with other people, or in public performances, such as public speaking. People with social anxiety often fear that they are being watched, judged, and evaluated by other people. It is often confused with shyness or low self-esteem. According to the Social Anxiety Association, Social Anxiety Disorder is the third largest psychological problem in the world today (about 7% of people suffer from this condition). DSM-IV and DSM 5 Social Anxiety Disorder/ Social Phobia Comparison The fear that people with social anxiety experience is brought on by many different types of social situations, including speaking in public, speaking to strangers or meeting new people, using public restrooms, speaking on the telephone, eating, drinking,