As with all phobic disorders, those suffering from social anxiety often will attempt to avoid the source of their anxiety; in the case of social anxiety this is particularly problematic, and in severe cases can lead to complete social isolation.
Do mesmo xeito que o resto de trastornos fóbicos, os que sofren de ansiedade social tratan de evitar a fonte da súa ansiedade e, no caso da ansiedade social, isto tórnase particularmente problemático, e en casos graves pode levar á exclusión social.