2. Definition
Social Anxiety Disorder, also called S.A.D. or social phobia, is intense
fear, distress, or inability to function in social situations. The intensity of
the disorder can range from performance only to everyday situations.
Performance S.A.D
General S.A.D.
3. Prevalence
Rates vary because social anxiety disorder often overlaps with other
psychological disorders.
It is the third most prevalent psychological disorder and the most
common anxiety disorder.
It affects 5% of Adult
Americans, 4.2% of Canadians,
and 2.7% of Australians.
The average age of onset is 11.5
years of age. Onset after 25 is
very rare.
4. Genetic Causes
Shyness, which can lead to social anxiety disorder, is genetic.
Infants which are more inhibited often have parents who are shy
adults.
Social Anxiety disorder can develop when a shy person is subject
to certain experiences.
Reserved infant
5. Experience Causes
Social Anxiety disorder is connected to past traumatic social experiences.
It can develop after a person is ignored, rejected or bullied.
It is also affected by cultural attitudes toward a reserved personality.
It is more likely that a child will have social anxiety if their parents
placed emphasis on the opinions of others or used shame as a
disciplinary measure.
6. Neural Cause: Neurotransmitters
Dopamine: the levels of dopamine are lower in those with social
anxiety.
In some studies, dopamine's binding affinity was lower in people with
S.A.D., but that is believed to be only one possible cause of low levels
of this neurotransmitter
Serotonin: there is some evidence that people with social anxiety
disorder have reduced serotonin receptors.
7. Affected Brain Areas
The amygdala is hypersensitive in people with S.A.D. The amygdala
controls fear cognition and emotional learning. This results in affected
people overestimating social threats.
The anterior cingulate cortex is also hypersensitive. It usually registers
physical pain , but in people with S.A.D., it detects social pain (such as
being left out of a group) as physical pain.
8. Cognitive Symptoms
Dread
Self consciousness
High performance standards
Self-defeating thoughts
Inaccurate memory of social events
Constant review of actions of possible embarrassment
People affected by social anxiety disorder expect a negative outcome in
social situations. They go over scenarios in their head of what could go
wrong and how to prevent it. After a social situation, they review and
overanalyze everything they do, looking for social errors. This process
can take weeks.
9. Behavioral Symptoms
Afraid of social activities )group outings, dating, or talking to strangers)
Nervous around authority figures
Avoids social interaction
Avoids eye contact
Crosses Arms
Avoidance of social interaction
12. Treatment
Cognitive behavioral therapy: questions patient’s though process and
changes reactions to anxiety provoking situations
Ironically, group sessions help patients with social anxiety disorder
because they learn about others who are living with the same condition
A popular treatment for this disorder is self help books, tutorials, and
websites
Medication: selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors are the most popular
drug. Over the counter drugs for nausea, or other physiological
symptoms, are not successful.
Self help treatment
