Is Social Anxiety Always a Bad Thing?

No! Anxiety is a normal and healthy part of being human. It mobilizes our bodies and minds to take action in dangerous or unhealthy situations. Without anxiety, we would probably not be alive - it is what tells us to get out of the way of the bus heading right toward us or to get that 3-week-old cough looked at. Social anxiety is no different. Social anxiety helps us to remain sensitive to the feelings and needs of others, which is a core foundation of cooperation and building relationships. Even strong social anxiety can occasionally be useful; for that job interview, we'll likely do better if we're extra careful in choosing our words and our outfits.
When Does Social Anxiety Become a Problem?
Social anxiety becomes a problem only when it is so severe that it is excessive or outside the "norm," and when it causes major problems in our overall functioning and quality of life. When our social anxiety leads us to consistently avoid social situations, to be very distressed when exposed to them, to have excessive fears of being negatively judged by others, or to miss out on things that we otherwise strongly want or need to do, mental health professionals may consider a diagnosis of Social Phobia (also known as Social Anxiety Disorder) (American Psychiatric Association, 2000).
There are two subtypes of Social Phobia:

• Generalized: In Generalized Social Phobia, a person fears judgment in, and avoids, most social situations.
• Non-generalized: In Non-generalized Social Phobia, a person is normally not excessively anxious unless they are in particular types of social situations (such as public speaking)

Do I have Social Phobia?
Maybe...or maybe not. If you find that your social anxiety is above and beyond what you would consider "normal" or appropriate and it significantly interferes with your quality of life, you may have Social Phobia. However, because social anxiety is something many of us experience from time to time, it is critical not to self-diagnose. If you think you have Social Phobia and would like this assessed, your best bet would be to consult with a mental health professional about your concerns.