Causes of Social Anxiety Disorder

As someone living with social anxiety disorder, you may not remember a time when you didn't feel anxious about social situations. You may believe that this condition is simply a part of who you are — a "shy" person. But it's not.

Social anxiety disorder is a real, medical condition. Knowing what causes social anxiety disorder may help you understand your condition and free yourself from the embarrassment and isolation that often accompany it.

Genetics. Having a family history of social anxiety disorder doesn't mean you will definitely develop it as well. There is, however, evidence that social anxiety disorder runs in families, from one generation to the next.
Biochemicals. While the biology of social anxiety disorder is not completely understood, there is evidence that an imbalance in serotonin, a chemical in the brain, may contribute to the condition.
Traumatic experiences. Many of those with social anxiety disorder report a specific traumatic event as the beginning of their condition. Interestingly, the event may be either one the person experienced directly or one that he or she heard about but that actually happened to someone else. While a traumatic event may trigger social anxiety disorder in someone at risk for the condition, scientists believe that trauma alone is not the most likely cause.
Thought processes. People who experience social anxiety disorder have negative thoughts that contribute to the condition — and help maintain it. Most often, these negative thoughts center on fear of embarrassment or disapproval by others.

Understanding these factors and working with your healthcare provider are important steps to achieving control over social anxiety disorder. Usually, social anxiety disorder is treatable with medication or psychotherapy.

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