1.
social anxiety; fear of interpersonal interaction; intense anxiety about dealing with other people
A strong fear or anxiety centered on interactions with other people. Can range from general social discomfort to the clinical condition known as 対人恐怖症, a culture-bound anxiety disorder recognized in Japanese psychiatry. The core feature is excessive worry about causing offense or discomfort to others.
Combines 対人 (interpersonal, toward people) and 恐怖 (fear, phobia). The full clinical term is 対人恐怖症, but 対人恐怖 is commonly used on its own.
Common collocations
- 対人恐怖症: social anxiety disorder (clinical term)
- 対人恐怖を克服する: to overcome social anxiety
- 対人恐怖に悩む: to suffer from social anxiety
- 対人恐怖が強い: to have strong social anxiety
Cultural note
対人恐怖症 is recognized as a culture-bound syndrome in Japanese psychiatry. Unlike Western social anxiety disorder, which centers on fear of being judged or embarrassed, 対人恐怖 characteristically involves fear of making others uncomfortable — for example, worry that one's gaze, body odor, or facial expression might bother people around them. This other-directed focus reflects Japanese social values of harmony and consideration.
Similar words
Related Words
Compare:
人見知り (shyness around strangers)