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Hello Doctor, I have a question. I don't feel afraid in crowded places, I can travel alone and talk to people normally. However, I feel anxious only when I have to talk to professionals like HR, managers, or during interviews because I feel I am being judged. Could this be performance anxiety rather than social anxiety? I would appreciate your opinion. Thank you.
Answers (13)
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See to an extent everyone feels anxious while talking to interviews, giving exams but if it's pathological or normal it needs a bit more evaluation.
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consult online
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Symptoms that you have mentioned suggest anxiety related to performance
For this, you can either visit a psychologist or psychiatrist
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Based on your history, this appears more consistent with performance anxiety (situational social anxiety) rather than generalized social anxiety disorde
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psychiatric evaluation is recommended if symptoms significantly affect your functioning.
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kindly consult
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"Hi there, I understand that seeking help can feel overwhelming, but you’ve already taken the first brave step. I can guide you with a clear treatment plan tailored just for you, so you can feel better and regain control over your life. You can reach me directly on WhatsApp for quick support on seven zero eight two zero two two zero six two."
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Hello. Differenting two close diagnoses within chat is not possible practically. Often multiple diagnoses coexist. Please consult on video or in person with a psychiatrist in your area for detail evaluation and treatment.
Dr Bishnu Prasad
MD Psychiatry AIIMS
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Dr. Tappeta Subhashini
Psychiatrist
11 yrs exp
Ongole
Based on your symptoms it seems to be performance anxiety, if you experience trembling, palpitations, sweating in this situation and it is causing distress in your work function better to consult psychiatrist.
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Dr. Mrinal Gautam
Psychiatrist
3 yrs exp
Kolhapur
To answer your clarification question directly: Yes, your description fits performance anxiety / performance-only social anxiety rather than generalized social anxiety disorder.
In clinical psychiatry, Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD) can present in two primary ways:
Generalized Social Anxiety: Anxiety triggered across almost all social settings (crowds, casual conversations, making small talk with strangers, public transport).
Performance-Only Specifier: Anxiety strictly restricted to situations where your performance or professional competence is actively being evaluated, judged, or scrutinized—such as job interviews, speaking to HR/managers, oral presentations, or formal evaluations.
Because you comfortably navigate crowds, travel alone, and talk to everyday people normally, your social functioning is intact.
The spike in anxiety occurs specifically when an authority differential or high-stakes evaluation is present, triggering a fear of negative judgment and activating your sympathetic nervous system ("fight-or-flight" response).
Next Steps
Consult a Psychiatrist or Clinical Psychologist: A professional evaluation can confirm this presentation and help you map out targeted management options.You can book a session with me.
Practice "Asynchronous" Mock Interviews: Record yourself answering common professional or interview questions on video. Reviewing these recordings helps align your self-perception with reality, dismantling catastrophic thoughts about how you appear to authority figures.
Health Tips
Never self-medicate with anti-anxiety medications or beta-blockers without prior medical screening. A basic blood pressure and heart rate check by a physician is necessary to ensure beta-blockers are safe for your cardiovascular and respiratory system.
Reframe the Power Dynamic: Remind yourself that professional interactions, like interviews or HR meetings, are two-way conversations meant for mutual evaluation rather than one-sided interrogations.
Utilize Physical Grounding Before Meetings: Right before speaking with a manager or entering an interview, practice deep diaphragmatic breathing (4 second slow inhale through the nose, 6 second extended exhale through the mouth) to manually calm your autonomic nervous system.
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Dr. Mohit Bansal
Psychiatrist
6 yrs exp
Faridkot
It seems to be a performance anxiety
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Dr. Rayees Ahmad Wani
Sexologist
16 yrs exp
Srinagar
Looks more consistent with performance anxiety..
However needs evaluation...
Cbt for management.
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Mr. John Zachariah
Psychologist
16 yrs exp
Ernakulam
Consult a counselling psychologist
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Dr. Indraja Sharma
Neuropsychiatrist
7 yrs exp
Kota
Based on what you've described, this seems more consistent with performance (situational) anxiety than generalized social anxiety, since your anxiety occurs mainly during interviews or interactions with authority figures while you're comfortable in most other social situations. If it significantly affects your confidence or performance, consult a psychiatrist or psychologist—effective treatment with CBT, and medication if needed, can help.
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Dr. Md Arshad Ayub
Neuropsychiatrist
6 yrs exp
Gaya
Based on what you've described, this does not sound like typical generalized social anxiety disorder. Since you are comfortable in crowds, can travel alone, and interact with people normally, but become anxious mainly in situations where you feel you are being evaluated (such as interviews, speaking with HR, or managers), it is more suggestive of performance anxiety or a circumscribed (specific) form of social anxiety related to evaluative situations.
If these symptoms are limited to such situations and are causing significant distress or affecting your career, they can be effectively managed with cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), relaxation techniques, and, in selected cases, medications. A detailed assessment can help confirm the diagnosis and guide appropriate treatment.
For personalized guidance and treatment, you can directly consult me through WhatsApp: nine nine three one zero four five zero zero eight.
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Dr. Archana Agarwal
Psychiatrist
1 yrs exp
Bikaner
Thank you for sharing this. I know it isn't always easy to talk about personal struggles, so I'm glad you reached out. From what you've described, these symptoms are affecting your daily life and deserve proper attention.
I would recommend a detailed psychiatric consultation to understand the underlying cause and discuss the best treatment plan for you.
If you need further guidance or would like to discuss your concerns in detail, feel free to reach on https://topmate.io/drarchana_agarwal/
I'd be happy to help you.
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