Identifying factors contributing to social anxiety

As mentioned by Martin M. Anthony in his book — 10 simple solutions to shyness, how to overcome shyness, social anxiety and fear of public speaking — there are various factors contributing to one's social anxiety.

1. Genetics, social anxiety tends to run in families. Statically, a person who has family member with social anxiety is 10 times more likely to develop social anxiety the someone who doesn't.

2. Learning, it's well established that learning and experience can play a important role in development of fear. Negative experiences regarding social situations (I.e. being teased or criticised in childhood) contribute to a higher levels of social anxiety.

3. The brain, studies have shown that when an individual anxiety related to social situations, certain parts of their brain is more active than the others. Neurotransmitters (chemical messenger that transmit information, such as sensations, throughout the body) like dopamine and serotonin are also believed to have roles in social anxiety.

4. Anxious beliefs, if social situations are viewed as dangerous or threatening, the person holding such views is far likely to feel uncomfortable and vulnerable when exposed to the social situation.

5. Anxious behaviours, this might be a little annoying but, avoidance of social behaviours (such as avoidance of social situations) help maintain feelings of anxiety in long term.

In this exercise we'll try figure out what have been to your social anxiety. You ma use the following questions for further convenience.

• Have you always been anxious in social or performance situations?

• Did you have negative experience(s) related to social situations?

• Do your parents or other family members have social phobia/anxiety? Is it possible that you've learned some of your behaviors from them?

• Do you view all or most social situations as dangerous?

• Do you intentionally avoid social interaction or performance?