I am afraid I might have social anxiety disorder. I am not a very timid person, but I feel uncomfortable if I am the center of attention, such as speaking in front of a large group. I turn bright red and begin sweating and I can’t keep eye contact. It doesn’t happen when I am around friends. Because of that, I try to avoid those types of situations. My mom was diagnosed with OCD/schizophrenia. Is it a possibility that I can have this?
USICO Healthcare 
Hello and thank you for your question about whether you have either/both social anxiety disorder or OCD/schizophrenia.
Before I answer your question, I would like to say that while I can provide you with essential information, to be properly diagnosed, you will need to see a trained psychologist of a psychiatrist. While some psychiatrists will be more likely to prescribe medication, psychologists tend to prefer non pharmacological treatments such as cognitive behavior therapy (see below).
That being said, there is a great deal that you can learn and do without visiting a doctor.
First, let’s talk about social anxiety disorder.
If you are diagnosed with social anxiety disorder, your doctor may prescribe either therapy only such as cognitive behavioral therapy, drugs, or a combination.
Examples of drugs used are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) such as Paroxetine (Paxil) or Sertraline (Zoloft). However, drugs are for very persistent social anxiety.
I prepared a number of links and videos that will help you understand this disorder more.
1. This is what psychiatrists and psychologists look at to decide whether you fit into their category for diagnosis:
DSM-5 Definition of Social Anxiety Disorder
https://socialanxietyinstitute.org/dsm-definition-social-anxiety-disorder
2. Mayo Clinic on social anxiety disorder basics and treatment
http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/social-anxiety-disorder/basics/treatment/con-20032524
VIDEO LINKS
1. Professional definition of social anxiety disorder and treatments
2. Types of social anxiety
By your own definition – you are not a very timid person. Therefore it may be possible that you do not have a severe form of social anxiety. It would be a good thing for you to consider trying cognitive behavioral therapy, which can be offered by psychologists (online, or in person). Another way to tackle this would be to search for video links on youtube that deal with the subject and see which works for you best. If none do, then you will need to see a professional.
Next, let’s consider OCD/schizophrenia. While OCD and schizophrenia are two distinct disorders, recent research has described them as being related. In addition, there seems to be some evidence that it runs in families.
The Connection Between OCD and Schizophrenia
https://psychcentral.com/schizophrenia/ocd-and-schizophrenia#ocd-vs-schizophrenia
Is Obsessive Compulsive Disorder Genetic?
https://www.verywellmind.com/ocd-and-genetics-2510481
Again, to properly diagnose this, you will need to visit a professional. However, I would like to share with you a video series that I think offers excellent advice and techniques on dealing with OCD.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for OCD (set of 15 videos)
Thank you for your question.
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