Causes of Social Anxiety

It’s Friday night, and all your colleagues have decided to go for dinner and drinks. And all you are hoping is that they forget to invite you. Well, you are not alone as there are several others who have no enthusiasm for meeting new people or attend social gatherings or have trouble talking with people.

We are not referring to the usual nervousness people feel when they go on a date or are giving a presentation. We are talking what is popularly known as Social Anxiety Disorder. But what causes it? Knowing the causes of social phobia or if social media causes anxiety can help in managing the disorder.

It is quite difficult to zero in on one specific reason that triggers someone’s social anxiety. The genesis of this disorder can vary from one individual to another. Many physical, biological, and genetic factors could be responsible for social anxiety causes. Here are a few well-established reasons for it — 

• Biological

Blame your brain as issues with neurotransmitter systems may lead to hormonal imbalances of serotonin, glutamate, and dopamine that help regulate mood. Overthinking and imagining the worst possible scenarios keep you away from other people.

• Genetics

Yes, that’s right. It could be in your genes. If your parents or other close relatives have suffered from it, you are at high risk of developing it.

• Early negative experiences

Social anxiety may have found a home in you if you’ve had negative experiences as a child growing up. You may have faced severe bullying, seen too many rejections, or been taking orders from overprotective/disciplinarian elders. Experiencing a traumatic event like public humiliation can scar you emotionally and hurt your confidence, making social anxiety your defence mechanism and convincing you to avoid similar situations. Low self-esteem can lead to negative self-perception, making social interactions difficult.

• Environment

If you grew up in an environment where you witnessed people being overly anxious, you might have picked up those behaviours which ultimately shaped your personality. The society we grew up in and the cultural norms we follow can also put immense pressure on us. They can develop a fear of judgment, embarrassment, and uneasiness during social interactions.