A marked and persistent fear of social or performance situations in which the person is exposed to unfamiliar people or to scrutiny by others. The individual often fears that he will act in a way that will be humiliating or embarrassing.

Exposure to the feared situation almost invariably provokes anxiety, which may take the form of a panic attack.

The person recognizes that the fear is excessive or unreasonable.

The feared situations are avoided or endured with intense distress.

The avoidance, anxious anticipation, or distress in the feared situations interferes with normal functioning or causes marked distress.

The duration of symptoms is at least six months.

The fear is caused by a substance or medical condition, and is not caused by another disorder.