Social Anxiety
Social anxiety, also known as social phobia, is a persistent and excessive fear or anxiety in social situations where a person is exposed to potential scrutiny or evaluation by others. Individuals with social anxiety may experience intense self-consciousness, fear of being embarrassed or humiliated, and an overwhelming desire to avoid social interactions, leading to significant distress and impairment in daily life. This fear is often disproportionate to the actual threat posed by the situation, and it can interfere with relationships, work or school performance, and overall quality of life. Treatment options, including therapy and sometimes medication, are available to help individuals manage and overcome social anxiety.
Symptoms
- Intense Fear of Social Situations: Individuals with social anxiety experience a persistent and excessive fear of social situations where they may be the center of attention, scrutinized, or judged by others.
- Self-Consciousness and Embarrassment: There is a heightened sense of self-consciousness and concern about being embarrassed or humiliated in social settings, leading to a strong desire to avoid such situations.
- Physical Symptoms of Anxiety: Social anxiety can manifest with physical symptoms like rapid heartbeat, trembling, sweating, blushing, nausea, or difficulty speaking. These symptoms may occur in anticipation of or during social interactions.
- Avoidance of Social Interactions: Individuals with social anxiety tend to avoid social situations or endure them with extreme distress. This avoidance can include activities such as public speaking, attending parties, initiating conversations, or engaging in social interactions.
Causes
- Genetic Factors: There is evidence to suggest that social anxiety disorder can run in families, indicating a potential genetic predisposition. Certain genetic variations or hereditary factors may contribute to an individual’s susceptibility to developing social anxiety.
- Environmental Factors: Negative or traumatic experiences, such as bullying, humiliation, or social rejection, during childhood or adolescence can contribute to the development of social anxiety. Additionally, growing up in an environment with overprotective or critical parenting styles may increase the risk.
- Neurobiological Factors: Differences in brain structure and function, particularly involving areas responsible for processing social information and regulating fear responses, have been observed in individuals with social anxiety. These neurobiological factors may play a role in the development of the disorder.
- Learned Behavior: Observational learning and social conditioning can contribute to the development of social anxiety. If an individual repeatedly witnesses or experiences negative social interactions or consequences, it can reinforce the fear and avoidance of similar situations.
- Cognitive Factors: Distorted thinking patterns and negative self-beliefs can contribute to social anxiety. Individuals with social anxiety often engage in excessive self-criticism, have a tendency to overestimate negative evaluation by others, and possess low self-esteem.
Treatment
Preston Eyerman, PMNHP, offers comprehensive treatment methods for Social Anxiety, helping individuals achieve stability and improve their quality of life. His treatment approach includes a combination of medication management, psychiatric evaluations, therapy, and personalized care plans tailored to each client’s unique needs. Through the telehealth platform at Preston’s Psychiatric Services, clients have the opportunity to meet with him from the comfort of their homes while receiving the highest standard of care for their Social Anxiety.
