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Risk factors
Social anxiety disorder is one of the most common of all mental disorders. Between 3 and 13 percent of people in Western countries experience social anxiety disorder at some point in their lives. Social anxiety disorder usually begins in the early to midteens, although it can sometimes begin earlier in childhood or in adulthood.
A number of factors can increase the risk of developing social anxiety disorder, including:
- Your sex. Women are more likely to have social anxiety disorder.
- Family history. Some research indicates that you're more likely to develop social anxiety disorder if your biological parents or siblings have the condition.
- Environment. Some experts theorize that social anxiety disorder is a learned behavior. That is, you may develop the condition after witnessing the anxious behavior of others. In addition, there may be an association between social anxiety disorder and parents who are more controlling or protective of their children.
- Negative experiences. Children who experience teasing, bullying, rejection, ridicule or humiliation may be more prone to social anxiety disorder. In addition, other negative events in life, such as family conflict or sexual abuse, may be associated with social anxiety disorder.
- Temperament. Children who are shy, timid, withdrawn or restrained when facing new situations or people may be at greater risk.
- New social or work demands. Meeting new people, giving a speech in public or making an important work presentation may trigger social anxiety disorder symptoms for the first time. These symptoms usually have their roots in adolescence, however.
- Social phobia (social anxiety disorder). In: Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders DSM-IV-TR. 4th ed. Arlington, Va.: American Psychiatric Association; 2000. http://www.psychiatryonline.com. Accessed June 11, 2009.
- Hollander E, et al. Social phobia (social anxiety disorder). In: Hales RE, et al., eds. The American Psychiatric Publishing Textbook of Psychiatry. 5th ed. Arlington, Va.: American Psychiatric Association; 2008. http://www.psychiatryonline.com. Accessed June 11, 2009
- Bruce TJ, et al. Social anxiety disorder. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed June 11, 2009.
- Phobic disorders. The Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals. http://www.merck.com/mmpe/sec15/ch196/ch196e.html. Accessed June 11, 2009.
- Social phobia (social anxiety disorder). National Institute of Mental Health. http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/social-phobia-social-anxiety-disorder/index.shtml#SocialPhobia. Accessed June 11, 2009.
- Feldman MD, et al. Phobias. In: Ferri FF. Ferri's Clinical Advisor 2009. St. Louis, Mo.: Mosby; 2008: http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/142893743-5/851356429/1701/448.html#4-u1.0-B978-0-323-04134-8..50019-7--subchapter28_9560. Accessed June 11, 2009.
- Abramowitz JS. Self-help cognitive-behavioral therapy with minimal therapist contact for social phobia: A controlled trial. Journal of Behavior Therapy and Experimental Psychiatry. 2009;40:98.
- Ebell MH. Diagnosis of anxiety disorders in primary care. American Family Physician. 2008;78:501.
- Whiteside SP (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. June 17, 2009.
