Anxiety comes in many forms. It can vary in severity from person to person. It can also have a range of different triggers. Many people experience anxiety symptoms that are triggered by social situations. If you feel stressed in social settings, or even at the thought of social situations, you may have social anxiety. Social anxiety is a mental health disorder involving fear, panic and worry related to social situations. Also known as social phobia, social anxiety disorder can arise in many different ways. You may find yourself feeling panicked whenever you’re surrounded by a lot of people in a public space. You may worry about being judged or embarrassing yourself in front of others.

Factors that can contribute to social anxiety disorder

• Brain chemistry — Emotions, thoughts and behaviors are closely tied to brain chemistry: Neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine help regulate attention, mood and more. Critical brain functions depend on well-balanced brain chemistry. When you feel anxious, your symptoms may connect to chemical imbalances in your brain. An imbalance in serotonin levels can affect how you react to social situations. Anxiety is often managed with medications that increase the amount of serotonin in your brain. Some medications also affect norepinephrine, another important neurotransmitter. For more lasting relief, psychotherapy can also have a major positive impact. Chemical imbalances aren’t the only way certain regions of your brain can become more active when you’re anxious. Your brain may be especially sensitive to perceived threats, such as social situations. This can cause you to experience fight-or-flight responses in those situations.
• Learned behavior — Social anxiety symptoms often develop early. Research shows that social anxiety disorder typically starts in childhood or adolescence. Your childhood experiences can have a profound, lasting impact on your mental health. If you were raised in a judgmental environment, you may be more likely to have social anxiety. Such an environment can cause someone to grow up being self-conscious and fearful of social rejection. These learned behavioral patterns may have then followed you into adulthood. While behavioral patterns can feel deeply ingrained, it’s never too late to make a change. Treatment can be key to breaking from negative patterns and finding a better way forward.
• Past trauma — Trauma can have far-reaching effects on your mental health. Everyone responds to trauma in different ways. If you have experienced trauma relating to social shame or public humiliation, you may start to fear and avoid social situations. Traumatic experiences can make it hard to feel safe around other people. You may experience social anxiety around friends and acquaintances in addition to strangers. If your social anxiety is connected to past trauma, processing your experiences can be vital to managing your symptoms.

Top interventions for social anxiety disorder

If you experience social anxiety, you’re not alone. According to the Anxiety & Depression Association of America, anxiety affects 40 million adults in the United States each year. Around 15 million are affected by social anxiety disorder specifically. Fortunately, social anxiety can be treated. Professional mental health treatment providers often use integrated interventions. These interventions work in synergy to produce real results. Some top interventions include:

• Behavior management — Social anxiety often leads to avoidant behaviors. Managing these behaviors can help you break from negative thought and behavior patterns. A key aspect of behavioral management is understanding the causes behind certain behaviors. Your therapist can help you figure out why you engage in anxious behaviors. This can help you implement strategies to take action and actively change your patterns.
• Interpersonal interventions — Social anxiety can have a significant impact on your relationships. Relationships with friends, romantic partners and family members may become strained and distant. Interpersonal interventions can help. Working with your treatment provider, you can improve the way you interact with others.
• Exposure — Exposure is about moving from avoidance to acceptance. With exposure-oriented treatment, you can learn to accept social situations without feeling anxious. This can help reduce your stress and fear. As a result, you may be more willing to participate in social activities in the future.

Lightfully can help you manage your social anxiety

If you’re ready to start managing your social anxiety with professional treatment, Lightfully is here to help you achieve your goals. The framework of everything we do consists of evidence-based, clearly defined, data-driven and holistic care.

Change is possible. When you’re ready to take the first step, reach out to our Admissions Concierge Team. We’ll take the next steps together, toward the fullest, brightest version of you.