Epidemiology

Social anxiety disorder is among the most common and functionally impairing of the anxiety conditions. In the US, the 1-year point prevalence rate is approximately 7% and the estimated lifetime prevalence is around 12% to 13%.[2][5] Although it may develop at any time during a lifespan, the average age of onset tends to fall during late childhood and adolescence.[2][6] The prevalence of social anxiety in pre-adolescence is 3.5%, with rates increasing to about 14% during adolescence.[6][7] Gender distribution tends to be generally equal during pre-adolescence, becoming increasingly more common in females than in males through adolescence and adulthood. Across cultures, girls are twice as likely to have social anxiety disorder compared with boys during adolescence, and rates are approximately 1.5 times higher among women compared with men in adulthood.[8] An estimated 70% to 80% of individuals with social anxiety disorder have concurrent anxiety, mood, and substance-use related disorders.[1][2]

Minoritized individuals may be particularly vulnerable to social anxiety given higher rates of rejection, exclusion, bullying, and violence relative to majority populations.[9] The prevalence of social anxiety among gender dysphoric youth, for example, has been reported to be as high as 31.4%.[10]

Rates of social anxiety disorder among other developed countries are similar to those in the US.[11] Worldwide, prevalence rates are lower in low- and middle-income countries and in the African and Eastern Mediterranean regions, and are higher in high-income countries and in the Americas and Western Pacific regions. However, certain patterns - including early onset, impairment in multiple domains, and associated psychiatric comorbidities - appear to be globally consistent.[2] Cultural variants of social anxiety are present in Asian and Eastern cultures, and may involve fears such as offending others or making others uncomfortable. Cross-cultural variations in anxiety presentation should be carefully assessed.[12]

Use of this content is subject to our disclaimer