Social anxiety is thought to exist on a continuum, with low levels of social anxiety being relatively normative. Most people experience some anxiety in certain social situations, such as giving a speech in front of a large audience or interviewing for a new job. However, other people experience high levels of anxiety in anticipation of or in response to nearly all social or performance situations. Individuals who exhibit significant distress when interacting with others and experience functional impairment because of their social fears may meet the diagnostic criteria for social anxiety disorder (SAD), also known as social phobia. SAD is characterized by marked fear of being scrutinized, embarrassed, or rejected in social situations. Since its initial acknowledgment as a mental health disorder in [Page 3216]1980, ...