How to Know Social Anxiety Disorder Causes

Social anxiety is a feeling of fear or worry when in a social setting. There are many different types of social anxiety, and most people experience at least one type at some point during their lives. Social anxiety disorder, however, is a mental condition in which social anxiety is chronic, intense and often irrational. The causes of the condition are not certain, but there are certain risk factors and triggers that can help explain the onset of the condition.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Understand the Risk Factors for Social Anxiety Disorder

1. Take a look at family history. Some studies have shown that there is a genetic component to social anxiety disorder. However, the genes involved have yet to be discovered. Anecdotal evidence supports the notion that it runs in families.

2. Do not rule out possible biochemical causes. While the science is not in yet, some researchers suspect that those who suffer from social anxiety may have a chemical imbalance, such as low serotonin levels. The positive effects of many selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) drugs may support those suspicions.

3. Do not underestimate possible causes for social anxiety that are located in the brain. Preliminary research has indicated structures in the brain, including the amygdala and anterior-cingulate cortex, may have some causal effect on social anxiety. The link between these areas in the brain and social anxiety disorder is not fully understood.

4. Examine environmental causes that can influence the development of social anxiety disorder. Evidence suggests that many people with social anxiety disorder were raised in socially isolated environments. This has also been demonstrated in adoptive families where no genetic component exists.

5. Monitor behavior in children. Naturally timid children are more likely to develop social anxiety disorder, indicating that temperament may also be one of the causes of the condition. Help timid children learn to cope with their shyness and fear in order to help prevent the onset of social anxiety disorder.

Know the Triggers for Social Anxiety Disorder

6. Learn about onset norms for social anxiety disorder. Onset is usually during teen years, though it can present earlier. It is unlikely for social anxiety disorder to develop during adulthood, though it is not impossible.

7. Evaluate the fact that an embarrassing or socially stressful situation can bring on social anxiety disorder. Know that traumatic events in childhood can also trigger the condition.

8. Examine sudden changes in social expectations, such as a job promotion that requires making presentations, can also bring on social anxiety.

Tips & Warnings

• Half as many men as women have social anxiety disorder.
• It's hard to know whether social anxiety disorder is caused more by nature, nurture or a combination of both. Researchers have yet to come to a definitive conclusion.

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