Why do some people thrive in social situations, while others experience such intense emotional distress that it impacts their entire life? Is social anxiety genetic?
What Is Social Anxiety?
Social anxiety, which is also referred to as social anxiety disorder or social phobia, is a mental health condition that is characterized by overwhelming fear and worry about situations that involve interacting with or being observed by other people.
The symptoms of social anxiety disorder are far more severe and disruptive than the typical nervousness that many people experience before giving a presentation or meeting someone for the first time.
Left untreated, this condition can undermine a person’s ability to live a full and satisfying life.
Diagnostic Criteria of Social Anxiety
As established in the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), the criteria for social anxiety disorder include:
- The person has marked fear or worry about social situations in which they may be exposed to scrutiny by others.
- The person fears that they may behave in a manner that will cause them to be evaluated negatively.
- The fear and worry that the individual experiences occurs almost every time they are in certain social situations.
- The individual either avoids these situations, or endures them with great difficulty.
- The fear and worry that the person feels is excessive and disproportionate to any actual threat.
- The fear and worry are persistent, typically lasting for at least six months.
- The fear and worry, or the steps the person takes to avoid situations that trigger these feelings, are sources of considerable distress, and may undermine their ability to function in one or more important areas of life.
- The fear and worry cannot be attributed to substance use, a medical condition, or another mental health concern.
Symptoms of Social Anxiety
The diagnostic criteria are clearly important for determining if someone has social anxiety disorder. But how can a person know if they should be assessed for this condition, or if they should encourage a loved one to schedule an evaluation?
In other words, what does social anxiety disorder look and feel like?
Though it can affect different people in different ways, common signs that someone has social anxiety disorder include:
- Not wanting to meet new people
- Declining invitations to eat in restaurants
- Refusing to give presentations or take part in performances
- Turning down job opportunities or other roles that would involve frequent socialization
- Having difficulty making or maintaining eye contact
- Withdrawing from classes that require presentations or group projects
- Having a persistent fear that they are going to humiliate themselves
- Worrying that their nervousness will be evident to other people
- Experiencing immense emotional distress prior to social activities that they can’t avoid
- Spending significant amounts of time thinking about their social interactions and critiquing their performance
The fear and worry that are characteristic of social anxiety disorder can sometimes be accompanied by physical symptoms such as:
- Racing heart rate
- Difficulty catching their breath
- Dizziness or lightheadedness
- Excessive perspiration
- Nausea and vomiting
Important note: Even if you understand the criteria in the DSM-5, and recognize symptoms of social anxiety disorder in yourself or someone else, that doesn’t mean you can make a diagnosis.
The only way to be sure that a person has social anxiety disorder is for them to be assessed by a qualified professional. In addition to receiving an accurate diagnosis, another benefit of scheduling an assessment is that the person who conducts the evaluation should also be able to recommend appropriate treatment options.
Effects
Intense emotional distress is an obvious effect of social anxiety disorder. But the impact of this condition isn’t limited to frequent struggles with fear and worry. Untreated social anxiety can lead to an array of additional negative outcomes, including:
- Poor performance in school, to the point of failure or dropping out
- Difficulty finding and keeping a job
- Slowed or nonexistent career advancement
- Diminished earning potential
- Problems forming and maintaining healthy relationships
- Missed opportunities for travel and other personally rewarding experiences
- Withdrawal and isolation
- Substance abuse and addiction
- Onset or worsening of other mental health concerns
- Loss of hope for the future
Is Social Anxiety Genetic?
Given the profound disruptive impact that social anxiety can cause, it’s understandable to wonder what causes it. Is social anxiety genetic, or is some external influence to blame?
The truth is that there’s no single cause of social anxiety. Instead, experts have identified several genetic (inherited) and environmental (external) factors that can raise a person’s risk of developing this condition.
Genetic Risk Factors
The genetic influence on social anxiety disorder may include:
- Gender (social anxiety disorder is more common among girls and women than among boys and men)
- Variations on the serotonin transporter gene SLC6A4
- Abnormal functioning within the amygdala, which plays a key role in the body’s “fight or flight” response
- Inherited personality traits such as neuroticism and introversion
- Having a close family member, such as a parent or sibling, with an anxiety disorder
- Having certain medical conditions, especially those that affect appearance and movement
Environmental Risk Factors
External influences that may increase a person’s risk of developing social anxiety disorder include:
- Maternal stress during pregnancy
- Being abused, neglected, or otherwise mistreated during childhood
- Being teased, bullied, or otherwise harassed during childhood
- Being raised by highly controlling or overly protective parents
- Parental criticism, shaming, and rejection
- Losing a parent by death or separation
- Going through a particularly embarrassing or humiliating event
Find Treatment for Social Anxiety in Atlanta
As discussed in today’s post, untreated social anxiety can be devastating. But when you get the care you need, you can start to live the healthier life you deserve.
North Atlanta Behavioral Health is a trusted source of personalized outpatient care for adults who have anxiety disorders and other mental health concerns. Our anxiety treatment programs near Atlanta, GA, are a safe and welcoming place where you can receive focused services at the partial hospitalization, intensive outpatient, and outpatient levels.
In each program, you will be cared for by a team of skilled and compassionate professionals. Working together, we can help you find your path toward a more hopeful future.
To learn more about how we can help you or a loved one, or to schedule a free consultation, please visit our Admissions page or call us today.
