Social Anxiety Disorder
Social Anxiety Disorder
1
Running Head: LIVING WITH SOCIAL ANXIETY
Social Anxiety Disorder
Amy McCormick
Louisiana Delta Community College
Psychology 101
Robinson
December 7, 2005
Social Anxiety Disorder
2
Social Anxiety Disorder is the world 's third largest mental health problem which affects over seven percent of the world 's population. Social Anxiety is the fear and anxiety one has in a social situation, or the feeling of being judged by other people in public. It can be described as a more advanced form of shyness in which someone cannot overcome. If left untreated, social anxiety can lead to depression and overall avoidance of daily activities. Social anxiety can control one 's life, and it can affect relationships and work habits on a day to day basis. There is not a specific cause known as to why this disorder occurs, since it occurs in different races, ages, and genders.
There are many theories as to what causes social anxiety; such as the theory that it is due to the chemical imbalance of serotonin in the brain. Another is that it is instilled in a child at an early age by the type of environment that the child is raised in, or a traumatic situation which occurred during a person 's childhood. Also the way a child is raised and the type of personalities of the parents who raise the child. If a child is raised in an alcoholic or abusive household, then the child has a greater chance of having a social phobia.
Social Anxiety Disorder
3
Genetics is another cause of social anxiety disorder, in which these phobia genes can be passed on through generations. Another may be from a lack of social interaction at a young age. There are many different symptoms of social anxiety, such as trembling, feelings of nervousness, sweating, and an increased heart beat. When suffering from social anxiety, one might feel like everyone who is around them is looking at them, judging them, or thinking negatively of them. This feeling
1
Running Head: LIVING WITH SOCIAL ANXIETY
Social Anxiety Disorder
Amy McCormick
Louisiana Delta Community College
Psychology 101
Robinson
December 7, 2005
Social Anxiety Disorder
2
Social Anxiety Disorder is the world 's third largest mental health problem which affects over seven percent of the world 's population. Social Anxiety is the fear and anxiety one has in a social situation, or the feeling of being judged by other people in public. It can be described as a more advanced form of shyness in which someone cannot overcome. If left untreated, social anxiety can lead to depression and overall avoidance of daily activities. Social anxiety can control one 's life, and it can affect relationships and work habits on a day to day basis. There is not a specific cause known as to why this disorder occurs, since it occurs in different races, ages, and genders.
There are many theories as to what causes social anxiety; such as the theory that it is due to the chemical imbalance of serotonin in the brain. Another is that it is instilled in a child at an early age by the type of environment that the child is raised in, or a traumatic situation which occurred during a person 's childhood. Also the way a child is raised and the type of personalities of the parents who raise the child. If a child is raised in an alcoholic or abusive household, then the child has a greater chance of having a social phobia.
Social Anxiety Disorder
3
Genetics is another cause of social anxiety disorder, in which these phobia genes can be passed on through generations. Another may be from a lack of social interaction at a young age. There are many different symptoms of social anxiety, such as trembling, feelings of nervousness, sweating, and an increased heart beat. When suffering from social anxiety, one might feel like everyone who is around them is looking at them, judging them, or thinking negatively of them. This feeling
Cited: Midwest Center for Stress and Anxiety Inc. "Who Suffers from Social Anxiety Disorder?" www.degnanco.com Social phobia/social anxiety association. www.socialphobia.org Shyness & Social Anxiety Services of Australia. www.socialanxiety.com