Understanding the Root Causes of Social Anxiety

Family History

As with many health conditions, both physical and mental, there can be strong family ties. Anxiety disorders are no exception and are commonly inherited from other family members in your family tree. 

The anxiety and family connection is a bit unclear. There’s the possibility of a genetic component behind this inheritance. There is also a belief that anxiety can be a learned behavior during your upbringing. Living with a parent or caregiver who struggles with anxiety can result in some of those tendencies being adopted. 

Brain Chemistry

The human brain is a very complex organ with many subparts that need to interact just right for optimal function. Your amygdala is the main area that controls your fear response and reaction. An overactive amygdala can lead to a higher chance of anxiety in social settings.

Similarly, certain neurotransmitters in the brain are responsible for mood regulation and stress management. Serotonin and dopamine both play a role in this area and can contribute to social anxiety if they become imbalanced. 

Past Experience

Your lived experiences play a significant role in shaping how you interact with the world around you. If you’ve had any negative or traumatic experiences surrounding social situations in the past, those can lead to heightened social anxiety in future situations.

Having been bullied in the past can make you more apprehensive with new people or strong personalities. Receiving criticism on your performance or any personal attributes can lead to avoidance of similar situations in the future. 

Environmental Influences

In addition to picking up certain behaviors from your parental figures and your upbringing, you may also have influences from your peers. Observational learning can greatly impact the development of social anxiety. You learn from how others act or respond in similar social situations.

There’s also the influence of cultural and social norms. Certain cultures may place emphasis on different expectations, which can lead to a fear of failure or embarrassment. This fear can manifest as social anxiety.

Illness or Chronic Conditions

When you have a medical illness or chronic condition that sets you apart from others, it can become a trigger for social anxiety. Having a personal attribute that automatically separates you can cause negative feelings and a sense of discomfort. For example, skin disorders, dyslexia, stuttering, and tremors may all cause you to feel anxious before even engaging in a social situation. 

Cognitive Distortions

When you struggle with social anxiety, there is often an underlying negative thought process. Your brain may catastrophize a situation. You may underestimate your own abilities for handling interactions with peers or giving a presentation. There’s also the possibility of overestimating the odds of receiving negative feedback. 

What You Can Do

Social anxiety is not something you need to continue to struggle with alone. Working with a licensed therapist can help you get to the root cause of your social anxiety, challenge negative thought patterns, and develop coping skills for social interactions. If you are ready to make a change in your life, contact us today.