Where Does Social Anxiety Come From?

Where does social anxiety come from and what can you do about it? In truth, social anxiety disorder affects about 5.3 million people in the United States. The average age it begins is between age 11 and 19 — the teenage years. It’s one of the most common mental disorders, so if you have it, there’s hope. Although, the tough part is being able to ask for help. Here’s how to know if your social silence has gone beyond shyness to a point where you need to see a doctor.

When Does It Occur?

In some people with social anxiety disorder, the fear is limited to one or two particular situations, like speaking in public or initiating a conversation. In truth, others are very anxious and afraid of any social situation.

Anyone with social anxiety disorder can experience it in different ways. But here are some common situations that people tend to have trouble with:

Firstly, Talking to strangers
Speaking in public
Dating
Making eye contact
Additionally, Entering rooms
Using public restrooms
Going to parties
Eating in front of other people
Going to school or work
Finally, Starting conversations

All socially anxious people have different reasons for dreading certain situations. But in general, it’s an overwhelming fear of:

Being judged or watched by others in social situations
Being embarrassed or humiliated — and showing it by blushing, sweating, or shaking
Accidentally offending someone
Being the center of attention

What Causes It?

So, where does social anxiety come from? In particular, to become socially anxious adults, there are children with overbearing or controlling parents. If you develop a health condition that draws attention to your appearance or voice, that could trigger social anxiety, too. Hence, there’s no one thing that causes social anxiety disorder. In truth, genetics likely has something to do with it: If you have a family member with social phobia, you’re more at risk of having it, too. It could also be linked to having an overactive amygdala — the part of the brain that controls your fear response.

Shy kids are also more likely to become socially anxious adults, as are children with overbearing or controlling parents. Consequently, if you develop a health condition that draws attention to your appearance or voice, that could trigger social anxiety, too.

Risk factors

The million dollar question is where does social anxiety come from? Several factors can increase the risk of developing social anxiety disorder, including:

Family history. In this situation, you’re more likely to develop social anxiety disorder if your biological parents or siblings have the condition.

Negative experiences. Children who experience teasing, bullying, rejection, ridicule or humiliation may be more prone to social anxiety disorder. In addition, other negative events in life, such as family conflict, trauma or abuse, may be associated with this disorder.

Temperament. Subsequently, children who are shy, timid, withdrawn or restrained when facing new situations or people may be at greater risk.

New social or work demands. At this point, social anxiety disorder symptoms typically start in the teenage years, but meeting new people, giving a speech in public or making an important work presentation may trigger symptoms for the first time.

Having an appearance or condition that draws attention. For example, facial disfigurement, stuttering or tremors due to Parkinson’s disease can increase feelings of self-consciousness and may trigger social anxiety disorder in some people.

Complications

Left untreated, social anxiety disorder can control your life. In reality, anxieties can interfere with work, school, relationships or enjoyment of life. This disorder can cause:

Firstly, Low self-esteem
Trouble being assertive
Negative self-talk
Hypersensitivity to criticism
Poor social skills
Isolation and difficult social relationships
Low academic and employment achievement
Substance abuse, such as drinking too much alcohol
Finally, or suicide attempts

Other anxiety disorders and certain other mental health disorders, particularly major depressive disorder and substance abuse problems, often occur with social anxiety disorder.

Prevention

How do we figure out where social anxiety comes from? There’s no way to predict what will cause someone to develop an anxiety disorder, but you can take steps to reduce the impact of symptoms if you’re anxious:

Get help early. In short, anxiety, like many other mental health conditions, can be harder to treat if you wait.
Keep a journal. In brief, keeping track of your personal life can help you and your mental health professional identify what’s causing you stress and what seems to help you feel better.
Set priorities in your life. In any case, you can reduce anxiety by carefully managing your time and energy. Make sure that you spend time doing things you enjoy.
Avoid unhealthy substance use. Important to realize, alcohol and drug use and even caffeine or nicotine use can cause or worsen anxiety. If you’re addicted to any of these substances, quitting can make you anxious. Given that, if you can’t quit on your own, see your health care provider or find a treatment program or support group to help you.

5 ways to flex your social skills and ease social anxiety

Social skills are a bit like muscles. The more you use them, the stronger they get. And when it comes to easing social anxiety, giving these ‘muscles’ a workout can really make a difference. Here are five tips to help you do just that.

Express yourself and share experiences

In any event, ever find yourself feeling like you’re on the outside looking in? Sharing personal experiences can bridge that gap. Start small. Share your thoughts about a movie you recently watched or a book you’ve read. Overall, not only does it open up avenues for conversation, but it also lets people get to know you better. Gradually, you’ll find sharing more personal experiences and opinions easier. And if you’re not convinced, explore the “beautiful mess effect’.

Venture into unexplored territories

Stepping out of your comfort zone is no easy feat, but it’s where the magic happens. Take small steps. Join a book club, volunteer at a local charity, or start a new hobby. Therefore, you’ll meet new people, learn new skills, and gain confidence in your abilities.

Embrace new adventures and opportunities

Every social interaction is a chance to learn and grow. So, the next time you’re invited to a casual hangout or a networking event, try saying ‘yes.’ In general, begin by setting small, achievable goals, like staying at the event for a specific amount of time or initiating conversation with at least one person. And remember, you can always have an exit plan in your back pocket to help you leave whenever you need.

Try surrounding yourself with people who represent a growth mindset

The people around us can have a significant impact on our mindset. Hence, surrounding yourself with positive and supportive people can do wonders for your confidence. These are the folks who uplift you, believe in you, and remind you of your worth, even on your toughest days.

Conclusion

Where does social anxiety come from? Anxiety is hard. Getting relief from anxiety doesn’t have to be. The Calm app puts the tools to feel better in your back pocket, with personalized content to manage stress and anxiety, get better sleep, and feel more present in your life.

Social anxiety disorder is difficult to endure, but with the help of treatment services and mental health professionals its symptoms are manageable. Even though social anxiety sufferers sometimes have trouble asking for help, once they do they never regret it.

People with social anxiety disorder feel fearful or anxious in social situations. In reality, the feeling may be so overwhelming that they avoid socializing and may avoid school, work, shopping, and other places where interaction may occur.

In summary, the person fears that someone will judge them or that they will offend someone or somehow humiliate themselves, but the threat is unlikely to be real.