What causes social anxiety and how to deal with it
Jan 26, 2024
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Yang Ziqi
Introduction
In most cases, social anxiety is caused by self-consciousness, lack of social experience, social phobia, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, etc. If you experience any discomfort, it is recommended to seek medical help promptly. In addition, during social interactions, learning and improving communication skills—such as listening, expressing your own opinions, and building connections with others—can be beneficial.
Social anxiety is usually caused by self-consciousness, lack of social experience, social phobia, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, and other factors. If discomfort occurs, it is recommended to seek medical attention promptly. Specific analyses are as follows:
1. Self-Consciousness
Many people feel anxious in social situations due to excessive focus on their appearance, behavior, and how others may judge them. Worrying about embarrassing themselves or being ridiculed by others can lead to psychological stress and anxiety. Learning to accept one's uniqueness and imperfections is an important step toward reducing self-consciousness. Everyone has their own characteristics and value; there's no need to overly concern oneself with others' opinions. Try cultivating a positive self-image and building self-confidence.
2. Lack of Social Experience
For individuals who rarely participate in social activities or have limited opportunities to interact with others, social settings may feel unfamiliar and unsettling. Uncertainty about how to communicate, establish connections, or handle social situations can increase feelings of anxiety, fatigue, and frustration. It is advisable to actively engage in various social activities, such as gatherings, interest groups, or volunteer work, which provide opportunities for interaction and gradually build social experience.
3. Social Phobia
Social phobia may be related to an individual’s social environment and personal experiences. Individuals with social phobia experience intense fear of potentially embarrassing or humiliating situations. They worry about making mistakes during social interactions or being mocked or rejected by others. This fear leads to symptoms such as social anxiety, pessimism, and unnatural behavior. Treatment may include medications such as maprotiline hydrochloride tablets, venlafaxine hydrochloride sustained-release capsules, or mirtazapine tablets, taken under medical supervision.
4. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
PTSD is typically triggered by exposure to traumatic events or stressful circumstances. Due to the impact of trauma, individuals may develop distrust toward others. This sense of distrust may cause patients to avoid forming close relationships, leading to symptoms such as social anxiety, heightened alertness, and memory impairment during social interactions. Medications such as sertraline hydrochloride capsules, escitalopram oxalate tablets, or venlafaxine hydrochloride tablets may be used for treatment under a doctor’s guidance.
5. Depression
Depression is often associated with imbalances in neurotransmitters. It may cause individuals to develop negative thoughts and feelings about themselves. They may feel unworthy of liking or acceptance by others, and this self-negation and low self-esteem can worsen symptoms such as social anxiety, sweating, and trembling during social interactions. Medications such as mirtazapine tablets, maprotiline hydrochloride tablets, venlafaxine hydrochloride tablets, or mirtazapine tablets may be used under medical supervision.
In addition, improving communication skills during social interactions—such as active listening, expressing personal viewpoints, and building connections with others—can help enhance communication effectiveness and foster healthy interpersonal relationships.
