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Social Anxiety Disorder: Definition
The Anxiety and Depression Association of America reports that social anxiety disorder, the second most prevalent anxiety condition, affects 15 million adult Americans. Overwhelming dread and feelings of embarrassment or humiliation in public or on social media are characteristics of this illness.Extreme self-consciousness and a dread of receiving unfavorable feedback from others are two symptoms of social anxiety. In social contexts, those who suffer from this fear may feel as if they are being observed, assessed, analyzed, or condemned. Usually, it first becomes noticeable in adolescence.
Two categories of social phobias are identified by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5): generalized social anxiety, which is the dread of all social settings, and specific social anxiety, which is the fear of particular circumstances.
Why Do People Get Social Anxiety?
These are a few of the most typical reasons why people have social anxiety disorder:- Environmental elements. Social anxiety disorder may emerge as a result of a number of environmental factors. For instance, someone can find it awkward to be around other people since they were bullied or harassed as a youngster. Their psyche may be harmed by negativity, which may result in poor self-esteem and social anxiety.
- Understanding the brain. The brain region known as the amygdala is responsible for controlling emotions and social cognition. It's also connected to the fight-or-flight reaction, which occurs when individuals perceive a danger and release adrenaline and cortisol in order to be ready to fight or run. Social anxiety may result from an overactive amygdala that makes it harder for a person to manage their fear reaction.
- Heredity. Additionally, genetics contribute to the development of social anxiety. Individuals with a family history of anxiety disorders, particularly social anxiety disorder, are more likely than those without such a history to have anxiety disorders themselves.
Symptoms of Social Anxiety Disorder
Typical signs of social anxiety disorder include the following:- Symptoms pertaining to emotions, behavior, and cognition
- Embarrassment fear
- Insecurity
- Excessive nervousness around other people
- Nervousness while interacting with people in general, attending social gatherings or parties, and meeting new individuals
- Steering clear of others
- Experiencing humiliation or embarrassment after an error made in public
- Having self-consciousness while interacting with others
- Feeling constantly monitored, assessed, or appraised (hypervigilance)
- Giving up on once-enjoyable social activities because they're now too stressful
- Being afraid to be in public spaces with other people.