What Mini-SPIN score suggests social anxiety?

A total of 6 or more out of 12 is the validated threshold suggesting a likely social anxiety disorder. It detects the condition with about 90% accuracy, but it's a screen, not a diagnosis.

Is social anxiety the same as being shy?

No. Shyness is a personality trait, while social anxiety disorder involves intense fear and avoidance of social situations that causes real distress and gets in the way of work, study, or relationships.

Mind

Mini-SPIN: 3-Question Social Anxiety Test

Three quick questions that screen for social anxiety disorder, with a validated 6-point cut-off.

~1 minTime

Mini-SPIN (Connor 2001)Method

FreeCost

Before you start

How it works

1Rate three statements — Say how much each of three social-fear statements describes you.
2Get a 0–12 score — Your ratings add up to a brief social-anxiety score.
3See the threshold — A score of 6 or more flags likely social anxiety.

1Think about everyday social situations — Answer for how you generally feel, not just one unusually good or bad day.
2Be honest about avoidance — Notice the things you skip or dread, not only the situations you push through.

3 questions

1′

Mini-SPIN (Connor 2001)

What it measures

Whether you may have social anxiety disorder, using the Mini-SPIN — a three-item short form of the Social Phobia Inventory. It focuses on avoidance driven by fear of embarrassment, discomfort being the centre of attention, and fear of looking foolish.

How it works

You rate each of three statements from 'not at all' (0) to 'extremely' (4). The answers sum to a 0–12 score. A total of 6 or more is the validated cut-off suggesting a likely social anxiety disorder that's worth assessing further.

Tips for an accurate result

1Shyness and social anxiety differ — Social anxiety causes real distress and avoidance that interferes with life — more than ordinary shyness.
2It's very treatable — Cognitive behavioural therapy is highly effective for social anxiety, and medication helps some people.
3Consider the fuller SPIN — If you want more detail, the 17-item SPIN grades severity across more situations.

Frequently asked questions

Continue your check-up

LiveMind

Social Anxiety Test (SPIN)

A free 17-question screen using the Social Phobia Inventory. Measures fear, avoidance, and physical symptoms in social situations over the past week.

Take a test

LiveMind

GAD-7 Anxiety Test: Free Online Screening & Scoring

Seven validated questions that score your anxiety from 0 to 21 and explain what your GAD-7 result means.

Take a test

LiveMind

GAD-2 Anxiety Test: 2-Question Quick Screen

A 30-second, two-question screen for anxiety — score 0 to 6 and see whether the full GAD-7 is worth taking.

Take a test