T12 – 3.2 What are the Differentiating Factors of PTSD and Social Anxiety Disorder?

T12 – 3.2 What are the Differentiating Factors of PTSD and Social Anxiety Disorder?

What are the Differentiating Factors of PTSD and Social Anxiety Disorder?

  • PTSD can only be diagnosed if the symptoms are directly related to one or more traumatic events.
    • A diagnosis of social anxiety disorder disorder is not tied to trauma exposure.
  • The persistent worry and anxiety associated with PTSD are linked to stimuli associated with the traumatic event(s) (e.g., intrusive trauma-related memories, trauma-related reminders in the environment).
    • Social anxiety disorder involves persistent worry and anxiety about being negatively evaluated and scrutinized by others (e.g., meeting new people).
(APA, 2022)