Do you have an extreme fear of being judged in social situations or do you sadistically think regarding all the things that can go wrong – nervously blurting out everything you never wanted to say out loud, just to fill in the dead time of the conversation? Do you scrutinize all the awkward things you think you did or said following the fact? Then you may be suffering from social anxiety.
Social anxiety is the number one mental health problem in North America, affecting 15 million American adults. Social anxiety is particularly difficult to manage, because it is not just one thing. And it’s a bit contradictory: you have a general distaste for people, but also a visceral need for… people. But on your terms, and in small doses.
Social anxiety is contagious. Somehow. Researchers are learning that anxiety disorders are hereditary and have a biological basis, just like allergies and diabetes. Anxiety disorders typically develop from a complex set of risk factors including genetics, brain chemistry, personality, and life experiences. Anxiety – which is as common in men as it is in women – usually begins around age 13. Anxiety disorders are very easy to treat, but only one-third of sufferers receive treatment.