What is Social Anxiety Disorder?

What Are the Differences Between Social Anxiety Disorder and Generalized Anxiety disorder?

• I was somewhat recently told by my counselor, therapist or whatever they are that what I have sounds more like generalized anxiety disorder than social anxiety disorder. I'm not sure how to tell the difference. I've read up on both but I still have trouble figuring it out. I kind of get it but I'm having more trouble deciding which one sounds more like me. I have pretty much all the symptoms of social anxiety disorder besides panic attacks, though I know many with with the disorder don't get panic attacks. Other than that, there's nothing else I can think of that I don't experience. But one thing I've found that I'm not sure is in the criteria for SAD that I'm not sure is part of the criteria for GAD is that I often, maybe every few months or whenever something triggers it, can become obsessed with something that frightens me, to the point where it is pretty much the only thing I ever think about and I am constantly very scared. This has happened when I thought my dad tried to commit suicide and I became obsessed with death for three or so weeks. It was all I thought about from the moment I woke up to the moment I fell asleep. I was constantly terrified. It was like when you're on a scary amusement park ride and you can no longer get off, then you start to get really scared and regret getting on, except constantly without a break. this happened with another thing for four days, and then with the same thing a year later except it lasted three months the second time. Last year, I also used to be afraid of my cats (they're indoor-outdoor cats) getting killed by wild animals, and I would hear them screeching and stuff outside when I tried to fall asleep, even when they weren't there. The screeching and meowing become pretty realistic, too. Also, I was obsessed with my face for most of last year. It was also the main thing I thought about and I hated it, to the point where I was contemplating cutting my face with a knife and I was embarrassed for my own parents to see my face. I have things like that every few months it seems. Socially, though, I'm always afraid of social situations and having people see me, and these fears never stop. I can't talk to people and I have no friends as a result. Besides for school, I rarely go outside because of the stress and anxiety being around people causes me. I often feel slightly nauseous, sometimes get dizzy, I breath faster, my heart beats faster, I sometimes blush, I get shaky and fidget a lot, get very twitchy, etc. Which does it sound like I have to you? I know I shouldn't completely rely on random people but I was thinking that there are probably people who have experience with both in this section. Thanks! Sorry the details are so long.

• Answer:

  social anxiety mostly centers around & is caused by people, parties, relationships, job interviews, malls, meeting new people etc. general anxiety is exactly what it states, general anxiety in your thoughts, home, family, career, work, school etc. you basically have anxiety all around and in your mind. social anxiety is directly caused by social activities & people.