Feeling shy in crowded environments is quite natural. However, when this Shyness begins to significantly affect daily life, we can no longer refer to it as simple shyness. The question that comes to mind in this case is: “Is this still shyness, or is it Social Anxiety disorder?”
Although they have commonalities, shyness and social phobia are different conditions. Diagnosing social phobia is the first step in beginning treatment. Although they may sound similar, shyness is defined as mild and temporary timidity in social settings, while social phobia is considered an anxiety disorder and seriously affects a person’s daily life.
A shy person may feel hesitant when meeting new people or speaking in front of an audience. However, someone with social phobia experiences not only psychological symptoms but also physical reactions such as excessive sweating, heart palpitations, trembling, and nausea. Social phobia affects the person so deeply that it causes significant problems in daily life. For example, a person may remain unemployed because they cannot attend job interviews, or a student may receive low grades because they cannot give presentations in class. These situations seriously undermine both the person’s quality of life and psychological health.
Causes Of Social Phobia
There are many causes of social phobia, and these causes can vary from person to person.
Genetic Factors
Genetic and biological factors are physiological elements that can cause social phobia. Imbalances in serotonin and dopamine levels in the brain or excessive amygdala activity can trigger Social Anxiety. Furthermore, a family history of social phobia is also important in terms of genetic predisposition and should not be overlooked.
Psychological Factors
Psychological causes include perfectionism, excessive sensitivity to criticism, and low self-esteem. A person’s fear of criticism and the physical symptoms triggered by this fear, such as heart palpitations or nausea, can alienate the individual from social settings.
Experiences such as bullying, social trauma, or rejection at an early age, especially during adolescence, pave the way for the development of social phobia. This can cause young people to withdraw from social settings. Lack of self-confidence further reinforces this cycle.
Environmental Factors
Environmental factors are also closely related to psychological factors. High pressure to succeed, social expectations, or inadequate social support can play a role in the development of social phobia. Although an isolated environment is generally easier to treat, traumatic social experiences can cause lasting fears in individuals. Especially in young individuals, the fear that negative social experiences from the past will be repeated can lead to completely avoiding social settings.
Social Phobia And Other Psychological Disorders
Social phobia may not always be present, but it can occur alongside depression and other anxiety disorders. The individual’s self-isolation and avoidance of social settings increase the risk of depression.
For example, a student with social phobia may be unable to participate in class or form a circle of friends. This situation causes the individual to feel inadequate. If left untreated, this isolation can deepen depression and cause the person to experience more serious mental health problems in adulthood.
Treatment Of Social Phobia
Today, social phobia is a condition that can be treated with effective therapeutic methods. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) allows individuals to restructure their negative thoughts; exposure therapy allows them to encounter the social situations they fear in a controlled manner. Group therapy both promotes the development of social skills and provides an opportunity for exposure in a safe environment.
Mindfulness practices and breathing exercises are also effective methods for reducing physical symptoms of anxiety.
For long-term success, the person must first accept themselves and be patient. Blaming oneself with thoughts like “I can’t do it” sets the process back and undermines self-confidence. Instead, increasing self-awareness—that is, recognizing when and in what situations anxiety is triggered—strengthens the individual’s control skills.
Relaxation and breathing techniques during moments of anxiety provide not only mental relief but also alleviate physical symptoms.
Exposing oneself to social situations in small steps contributes to the process, while seeking professional support and not skipping therapy sessions is critical for the continuity of treatment.
Finally, positive thinking, self-acceptance, and positive self-talk are among the most powerful allies in combating social phobia.