Social Anxiety Disorder: Understanding Common Mental Health Disorders

gbhconsultants
Aug 22
4 min read

person wearing hoodie and sitting by a wall while experiencing social anxiety disorder

This post is the fifth in our six-week series on understanding common mental health disorders. Come back to our blog each week for a new post or review the mental health series introduction for the full list.

Most people experience feeling self conscious in certain social situations such as attending a new school, starting a new job, or going to an unfamiliar place. However, it is possible for some people to develop extreme fears and anxiety when these activities, as well as familiar ones, take place. Learn more about how Social Anxiety Disorder impacts lives of those who deal with it, what causes it, and how the condition can be managed.

What is Social Anxiety Disorder?

Social Anxiety Disorder (also referred to as social phobia) is a type of anxiety disorder characterized by an intense fear of being watched or judged by others. This fear can affect work, school, relationships, and other daily activities.

For example, interacting with others during daily activities, such as talking with co-workers, asking a question in class, talking with a small group of people, or going to events with friends, causes severe anxiety and panic. The person fears being humiliated, judged, or rejected by others so they often avoid certain activities or endure them despite intense distress.

What Causes Social Anxiety Disorder?

There is not a clear cause for Social Anxiety Disorder but research has identified several factors that may increase the likelihood of developing this disorder. Some possibilities, according to The Mayo Clinic, include:

Biological factors: Social Anxiety Disorder may have a genetic component that makes a person more likely to develop symptoms if an immediate family member also suffers from the disorder.
Environmental factors: a person’s environment and experiences such as trauma or negative social interactions like bullying may lead to them developing Social Anxiety Disorder.
Parenting styles: someone’s upbringing can affect whether they are likely to develop Social Anxiety Disorder. Fearful, avoidant parents or a parenting environment that involves overprotection may lead to someone developing social phobia.
Personal traits: a person’s temperament, social skills, and ability to accurately interpret social cues, may also impact the development of this disorder.

Example of Social Anxiety Disorder in Everyday Life

Social anxiety can begin in childhood or adolescents and persist into adulthood as in Tom’s case below:

Tom described himself as a shy child and indicated he always struggled to make friends and do “normal kid activities” such as playing sports or going out with friends. Tom had a small group of friends from childhood, but over time these friends moved or went different directions in life. He shared that he struggled making new friendships as an adult because he was afraid to talk with new people or go to social activities where he could meet new people.

Tom also struggled at work interacting with his boss or co-workers due to a fear of others perceiving him as incompetent or giving critical feedback. Tom shared he often felt anxious just thinking about social interactions and experienced shaking, sweating, and heavy breathing when interacting with others.

Tom decided to seek help after he missed his close friend’s wedding due to fear of being around a large group of people.

Facts and Symptoms of Social Anxiety Disorder

According to the National Institutes of Mental Health (NIMH), approximately 7% of Americans suffer from Social Phobia at some time during their life. Data shows that women often experience social phobia more often than men, though in some countries and studies this can vary and be closer to an equal amount regardless of sex.

People who suffer from Social Anxiety Disorder tend to have the following symptoms in social situations:

Blush, sweat, shake; feel a rapid heart rate, or describe their “mind going blank”
Feel nauseous or sick to their stomach
Show a rigid body posture, make little eye contact, or speak with an overly soft voice
Find it scary and difficult to be with other people, especially those they don’t already know, and have a hard time talking to them even though they wish they could
Be very self-conscious in front of other people and feel embarrassed and awkward
Be very afraid that other people will judge them
Stay away from places where there are other people

While severe impairment from social phobias accounts for less than 2% among adults, it can still be a debilitating condition that requires resources to manage.

Treatment for Social Anxiety Disorder

Social Anxiety Disorder often requires treatment and can be successfully managed with the right interventions. It is usually treated with medications, therapy/counseling, or a combination of the two. Additionally, support groups are available to help manage Social Anxiety Disorder.

Some well researched methods of managing Social Anxiety Disorder include:

Medication – Doctors may prescribe different medications, such as anti-anxiety medications, anti-depressants, and beta-blockers, to help manage symptoms of anxiety. These medications work differently to address anxiety symptoms so it is important to talk with your doctor about how these medications work as well as the risks and benefits of these medications. Research shows combining medication with therapy is more effective than either treatment alone.
Therapy/Counseling – Therapy can help improve symptoms of Social Anxiety Disorder by teaching a person strategies to manage their anxiety and build social skills to improve their confidence. A specific technique for treating Social Anxiety Disorders is called exposure therapy, which involves helping a person face their fears in social situations to overcome the anxiety. The therapist may suggest doing activities that provoke a small amount of anxiety to help them overcome their fears and slowly face more challenging situations. Do not give up on treatment too quickly! It can take time to show a substantial decrease in symptoms and recognizing small improvements can help you stay motivated.
Support Groups – Support groups can be helpful in managing anxiety. These groups can help normalize your fears, learn how others cope with anxiety, and receive feedback from others about their perception of you. Local mental health organizations, such as the National Alliance of Mental Illness (NAMI), may be able to direct you to a support group in your area.

Contact Our Therapists in Maryland Heights

It is important to get appropriate treatment for Social Anxiety Disorder to get relief from symptoms and help you overcome fears that are holding you back. Gateway Behavioral Health Consultants specializes in treating anxiety disorders in teens and adults through therapy services.