What characteristics define social anxiety disorder?

The defining characteristic of social anxiety disorder is an intense fear of social situations where one might be judged or embarrassed. Individuals with this disorder experience significant anxiety in situations such as public speaking, meeting new people, or any interactions where they fear being evaluated negatively by others. This fear often leads to avoidance of social situations, which can severely impact one's personal, academic, and social life.

The other options describe different symptoms or conditions. For instance, a general feeling of restlessness could be associated with various anxiety disorders but is not specific to social anxiety disorder. Frequent physical aches without an identifiable cause might indicate a somatic symptom disorder or generalized anxiety, while difficulty concentrating is more commonly linked to other mental health issues such as attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder or anxiety in general contexts. In summary, the intense fear and avoidance of social situations are the hallmark traits that specifically define social anxiety disorder.