What Causes Social Anxiety: Understanding the Root of Your Fears

Social anxiety is one of those catch-all phrases that people use to describe a general nervousness around public speaking or big parties. While these things can certainly be a part of social anxiety, a true diagnosis of social anxiety disorder can encompass so much more and have a significant impact on day-to-day life. Let's take a closer look at the symptoms of social anxiety, what causes social anxiety, and how to treat social anxiety disorder.

Understanding Social Anxiety Disorder

Social anxiety disorder is a mental health condition characterized by an intense and ongoing fear of being judged negatively and/or watched by others. It’s a common anxiety disorder that can affect anyone, regardless of age, gender, or background.

Social anxiety disorder is characterized by anxiety or fear in specific or all social situations, and a core feature of social anxiety disorder is the fear of being judged, rejected, and/or humiliated.

Causes and Risk Factors

As with most mental health disorders, experts do not attribute the development of social anxiety disorder to one specific cause. Rather, the development of social anxiety is typically rooted in a combination of biological and environmental factors.

Genetics may play a role in the development of social anxiety disorder, as people with a family history of the condition are more likely to develop it. People may be at increased risk of social anxiety disorder if they also have other types of anxiety disorder, such as depression, or if a family member has some form of social anxiety disorder.

Environmental factors, such as being harshly disciplined throughout childhood or experiencing childhood trauma, may also influence the development of social anxiety disorder.

Other potential causes include an overactive amygdala, a history of abuse or bullying, and certain health conditions that draw attention to one’s appearance or voice.

Symptoms and Characteristics

Symptoms of social anxiety may include the following emotional, cognitive, or physical signs:

People with social anxiety disorder may experience physical symptoms such as

• Rapid heartbeat
• Sweating
• Trembling
• Shallow breathing

They may also experience mental symptoms, such as

• Intense fear of being judged
• Intense fear of rejection
• Intense fear of embarrassment
• Intense anxiety around social situations
• Difficulty making eye contact
• Feeling self conscious around others

Symptoms can vary in intensity and may be triggered by specific situations or events. People typically develop social anxiety disorder in the early to mid-teens, but can start in younger children or adults.

How to Have Social Anxiety Disorder Diagnosed

If you find that your symptoms are having a negative impact on your daily life or relationships, a diagnosis is the next step toward getting treatment that can help. To diagnose social anxiety disorder, make an appointment with your doctor, or a mental health professional. They will be able to recognize social anxiety disorder symptoms by asking questions and taking a detailed history. They will then use the criteria of the diagnostic and statistical manual to determine whether you have social anxiety disorder.

How Social Anxiety Affects Daily Life

Social anxiety disorder can negatively affect education, career, and personal relationships, as fear and anxiety can lead to avoidance, disrupting daily routines, relationships, work, school, or other activities. Social anxiety disorder may hinder academic or professional success, as the individual avoids projects, meetings, and personal interactions. In severe cases of social anxiety disorder, the individual may become withdrawn and isolated, afraid to leave their home or safe space.

If left untreated, social anxiety disorder can control life, interfering with work, school, relationships, or enjoyment of life. Social anxieties can also lead to other anxiety disorders, major depressive disorder, and substance abuse problems if the person attempts to self-medicate.

Relationship to Other Anxiety Disorders

Social anxiety disorder is a type of anxiety disorder, and people with social anxiety disorder may also experience other anxiety disorders. Social anxiety disorder can be a comorbid condition with other mental health conditions, such as depression or substance use disorder, as the symptoms of social anxiety can develop into other negative thoughts, feelings, and unhealthy coping mechanisms.

Understanding the relationship between social anxiety disorder and other anxiety disorders can help with diagnosis and treatment.

Treatment Options for Social Anxiety

The most common treatment for social anxiety disorder is cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), also known as talk therapy. This and other therapies, such as exposure therapy, can help individuals identify and change negative thought patterns and behaviors associated with social anxiety disorder. Social anxiety disorder treated through talk therapy may be supplemented with certain anti anxiety medications and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors that may also be used to treat the condition, such as Paxil, Zoloft, Luvox, and Effexor.

Other therapies, such as relaxation therapy and beta-blockers, may also be effective in treating specific types of social anxiety disorder.

The Importance of Early Intervention

Early detection and treatment can help individuals with social anxiety disorder manage their symptoms and improve their quality of life. With proper treatment, people with social anxiety disorder can learn to manage their symptoms and improve their daily lives.

Social anxiety disorder is a complex challenge, and seeking help from a mental health professional is essential for treating social anxiety disorder. Overcoming social anxiety disorder requires a comprehensive approach, including therapy, self-help strategies, and support from loved ones.

Learning coping skills and techniques, such as relaxation and deep breathing, can help manage symptoms, and building a support network of friends, family, and mental health professionals can provide encouragement and motivation.

Identifying and Treating Social Anxiety Disorder in Austin, TX

Social anxiety disorder is a treatable condition, and seeking help is the first step towards recovery. Understanding the causes and risk factors of social anxiety disorder can help individuals take steps to prevent its development. With the right treatment and support, people with social anxiety disorder can overcome their fears and live a fulfilling life.

At Williamsburg Therapy Group, our team of doctoral-level psychotherapists offers both online and in-person sessions to accommodate a busy life, and allow you to work with a provider that can treat social anxiety disorder and social phobia with evidence-based practices.

Call today to speak with a service coordinator who can find the right Austin social anxiety therapist for you. As well as being able to identify the mental and physical symptoms of social anxiety, your therapist can help you learn positive coping skills to improve both your professional and personal lives. Social anxiety disorders, social phobia, and other mental disorders are not something you should deal with on your own. Effective treatment is available for these conditions, and it is only a phone call away.