Social anxiety disorder, also known as social phobia, is a type of anxiety disorder in which a person experiences intense fear or anxiety in social situations. The fear is typically related to being judged, scrutinized, or embarrassed by others.

One of the diagnostic criteria for social anxiety disorder is "persistent, excessive fear of one or more social situations". This means that the fear is not just occasional or mild, but it is persistent and intense. For example, a person with social anxiety may avoid social situations such as parties, meetings, or public speaking events altogether, or they may endure them with great distress.

Another criterion for social anxiety disorder is "exposure to the feared social situation almost invariably provokes anxiety". This means that the anxiety is triggered by the situation itself, rather than by something else. For example, a person with social anxiety may feel anxious and uncomfortable in a crowded room, even if they are not directly interacting with anyone.

A third criterion is "the fear or anxiety is out of proportion to the actual threat posed by the social situation". This means that the level of fear is not justified by the situation. For example, a person with social anxiety may feel as though their life is in danger when giving a presentation, even though the actual threat is quite low.

A fourth criterion is "the fear, anxiety, or avoidance is persistent, typically lasting for 6 months or more". This means that the symptoms have been present for a significant amount of time, and are not likely to go away on their own without treatment.

Finally, a fifth criterion is "the fear, anxiety, or avoidance causes significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning". This means that the symptoms are interfering with the person's ability to live a normal life. For example, a person with social anxiety may struggle to maintain friendships or romantic relationships, or they may have difficulty performing well at work.

One common safety behavior that people with social anxiety may engage in is avoiding eye contact. This can be a way of avoiding the perceived judgment or scrutiny of others. However, this can actually make the anxiety worse, as it can lead to feelings of isolation and disconnection.

Another safety behavior is rehearsing conversations or scenarios in advance. While this may provide some temporary relief, it can also reinforce the idea that social situations are inherently threatening, and make it more difficult to face them in the future.

Avoidance is also a common behavior among people with social anxiety. This can include avoiding social situations altogether, or only participating in them with a trusted friend or family member. While avoidance may provide temporary relief, it can also reinforce the fear and make it more difficult to overcome in the long term.

Overall, social anxiety disorder is a condition in which a person experiences intense fear or anxiety in social situations, to the point where it interferes with their ability to function normally.