Social Anxiety Test (SPIN Score Guide)

A social anxiety test screens for Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD), intense fear of social scrutiny, embarrassment, or humiliation. Key tools: SPIN (17 items), Mini-SPIN (3 items), and LSAS (24 situations). 7–13% lifetime prevalence. DSM-5-TR (APA, 2013).

What is Social Anxiety?

Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD), also known as social phobia, is characterized by intense, persistent fear of one or more social or performance situations in which the person is exposed to possible scrutiny by others. The core fear is of acting in a way, or showing anxiety symptoms, that will be negatively evaluated, resulting in humiliation, embarrassment, or rejection.

SAD is the third most common mental health condition globally, affecting 7–13% of the population over a lifetime. It typically begins in early to middle adolescence (median onset age 13) and follows a chronic, unremitting course without treatment. Adults with SAD often report years of avoidance and missed opportunities in social, academic, and occupational domains before seeking help, if they seek help at all.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), particularly exposure-based CBT (Clark & Wells model; Heimberg model), is the first-line, evidence-based treatment, with response rates of 70–80%. SSRIs (escitalopram, sertraline, paroxetine) are first-line pharmacological treatments. The combination of CBT and SSRIs is not consistently more effective than either alone. Early treatment is strongly associated with better outcomes and reduced secondary complications (depression, substance use).

SPIN Score Interpreter

Enter your Social Phobia Inventory (SPIN) total score (0–68). SPIN ≥19 is the validated screening cutoff for Social Anxiety Disorder. Connor et al. (2000).

17 items rated 0–4 (Not at all / A little / Somewhat / Very much / Extremely). Three subscales: Fear (7 items), Avoidance (7 items), Physiological (3 items).

SPIN © Connor et al. (2000). Available for clinical and research use. A positive SPIN screen does not diagnose SAD, clinical diagnosis requires structured interview. GAD-7 item 6 can also flag social anxiety. For LSAS score interpretation, see our LSAS page.

SPIN Score Reference

Connor et al. (2000). SPIN ≥19 is the validated cutoff with sensitivity 89%, specificity 79%. Scores ≥50 indicate very severe social anxiety.

SPIN Severity Bands

DSM-5-TR Core Features

Social Anxiety vs Related Conditions

Social Anxiety Assessment Tools

Anxiety Outcome Monitoring in HiBoop

GAD-7, SPIN, LSAS, PHQ-9, and PCL-5, integrated anxiety and comorbid outcome monitoring for outpatient, primary care, and specialty anxiety programs.