There are several factors that contribute to the emergence of social phobia, as it greatly affects the patient's mind and thinking, causing him to lose his nature and become a person suffering from a psychological problem. The impact of this condition can be easily observed through the changes that occur in the patient's behavior, as he is always characterized by shyness and fear. He also feels as if he is in the spotlight and being watched by everyone around him. In this context, we will review the most important causes of social phobia, in addition to providing more details about this condition in where we will discuss the symptoms and their impact on the individual's life and the available treatment methods.

**What is social phobia?**

 

Social phobia is a chronic psychological condition that goes beyond just feeling shy; it greatly affects the individual's ability to perform their daily tasks. Unlike normal shyness, social phobia is characterized by a deep fear of social interactions and a strong desire to avoid them.

**How ​​does social phobia affect your life?**

 

Social phobia can lead to low self-esteem, recurring negative thoughts, and feelings of depression, in addition to poor social skills.

**Does family disintegration contribute to the emergence of social phobia?**

Yes, family disintegration and problems between spouses may contribute to children developing social phobia, and the wife may suffer from this condition after divorce, which increases her feeling of fear of the surrounding community.

**What is the life of someone suffering from social phobia?**

 

The lives of these individuals are difficult, as they feel anxious about attending social events and fear doing certain things, which makes them always expect negative results before any situation occurs. Their fears are manifested in anxiety about insults, looks from others, or being bullied. At first, the symptoms may be mild when interacting with others, but in advanced cases, they may expect certain situations to occur and prevent themselves from participating in them.

**Does psychological trauma cause social phobia?**

 

Psychological traumas that children are exposed to, such as harassment and sexual assault, can lead to the emergence of social phobia disorder. This occurs as a result of a loss of trust in others and the feeling that those around them may seek to harm them.

**How ​​do social phobia symptoms appear in children?**

 

It's not unusual for a child to be shy, but children with social phobia face extreme stress in everyday situations such as playing with peers, reading in class, talking to adults, or taking tests. These children often prefer not to go to school.

**What are the ways to treat social phobia symptoms?**

 

There are three main options for treating social phobia: First, psychotherapy, especially cognitive behavioral therapy. Second, treatment through support groups that help individuals deal with feelings of judgment and rejection. Third, medications, which include three main types: anti-anxiety medications, antidepressants, and beta blockers.

How can I relieve symptoms of social phobia?

 

Try to avoid or reduce caffeine and smoking, as they can worsen symptoms. Make physical activity a priority, and set aside 30 minutes a day if possible. Add more omega-3 fats to your diet, which are found in salmon, herring, mackerel, anchovies, sardines, seaweed, flax seeds, and walnuts. Don't forget the importance of good sleep.

Causes of social phobia:

There are many causes of social phobia, the most prominent of which are:

. **Genetic factors**: Genetic factors play an important role in the emergence of social phobia. Research has shown that children who belong to families suffering from this disorder are more likely to inherit it through genes.

 **Psychological factors**:

The psychological causes of social phobia include feelings of anxiety, depression, in addition to psychological trauma resulting from painful experiences such as accidents or sexual assault, especially during childhood.

. **Environmental factors**: The social and environmental factors surrounding the individual have a significant impact, as they can contribute to increasing levels of social anxiety, which may develop into social phobia, especially in violent environments that lack security.

. Neurotransmitters: Social phobia may be the result of an imbalance in some chemicals in the brain, known as "neurotransmitters". The brain uses these transmitters to send signals between cells. Studies have shown that individuals suffering from social phobia suffer from an imbalance in these neurotransmitters.

. Brain structure: There are functions in certain areas of the brain structure that are directly related to the occurrence of psychological disorders, including social phobia. Research has shown differences in specific areas of the brain in people with social phobia. There are four main areas that play a role in this context, namely the brain stem, the limbic system, the prefrontal cortex, and the motor cortex.

**Improper upbringing:** Upbringing and upbringing from an early age are essential factors that affect the child's life in the future. It is necessary to deal with the child correctly to promote sound principles. The child should be given space for freedom to express his independent opinion, while adhering to the etiquette of dialogue and respecting adults. The mother should avoid being domineering in making household decisions, especially those related to the child's life, such as choosing clothes, the type of food, and the colors of personal items. These choices should reflect the child's taste and not her personal taste. Here comes the role of parents in teaching the child how to make decisions that are appropriate for him.

**Loss of self-confidence:** Loss of self-confidence is considered one of the most prominent causes of social phobia, as enhancing confidence reduces the chances of its occurrence. When a person loses self-confidence, he becomes more vulnerable to fear of society. One of the factors that lead to loss of confidence is being constantly reprimanded by those around him, whether in the family, school, orFor the sports club. Negative criticism is often the prevailing method of dealing, without pointing out any positives that the child does, which leads to highlighting only the negatives, and makes the child feel like a machine for extracting mistakes.

**. Conscience: ** When looking at some things in general, conscience can be considered a positive behavior, as the person seeks to hold himself accountable and understand the mistakes he made, which gives him the opportunity to treat and correct later. But for the patient suffering from social phobia, the concept of these sessions changes to become a kind of whipping and torture of the soul instead of conscience.

The patient reviews his daily behaviors excessively, focusing on the negatives in an exaggerated way, without taking into account any justifications or excuses. This increases his anxiety and tension, which leads to insomnia and difficulty sleeping as a result of constantly thinking about the reasons that led to that condition, and how he let things deteriorate to this extent. In the case of a chronic patient, he may completely withdraw into himself, which leads to his condition worsening to depression, and in some cases, he may even lose his life due to his feeling of despair.

**. Mood: **Adolescents who suffer from shyness or social inhibition, especially children, are at risk. The prevailing behaviors in the child or adolescent, such as excessive shyness, crying easily, or aggressive behavior, may indicate temperaments that may put them at risk of developing social phobia.

**. Family history: **Social phobia can have family roots, as this is partly due to a possible genetic predisposition.

**. Behavior / acquired environment: **Some individuals suffering from this condition believe that its development is due to experiences such as abuse, public embarrassment, or humiliation, such as bullying at school.

**Types of social phobia: **

 

Types of social phobia are divided into three levels:

- **Mild social phobia: ** Where the person suffers from some physical and psychological symptoms in social events but is still able to deal with situations and endure.

*For the intermediate level:** The person suffers from some physical and psychological symptoms, and participates in social events, but prefers to avoid some aspects of them or certain situations that cause him severe stress.

**Severe social phobia:** The person shows more severe physical and psychological symptoms, and to avoid these symptoms appearing publicly, he completely avoids attending those events.

**Symptoms of social phobia in children**

 

The symptoms of social phobia in children and adolescents vary according to their age, and the following is an explanation of these symptoms:

**Preschool children:**

Symptoms of social phobia in children at this stage include the following:

- Fear of new things.

- Irritability or crying.

- Constant attachment to parents.

- Freezing in place.

- Refusal to talk to others.

**School-age children:**

Symptoms of social phobia in children at this stage include the following:

- Fear of reading aloud or answering questions in class.

- Fear of talking to other children.

- Fear or refusal to participate in public performances, including musical or sports activities.

- Fear of speaking with adults.

Fear of attending birthday parties.

Anxiety about visiting friends.

Feeling extremely anxious and stressed due to negative judgment or criticism from others.

Refusing to speak at social events, or speaking in a quiet or low tone that is almost inaudible or incomprehensible.

Poor social skills, including poor eye contact with others.

Fear or anxiety about using public restrooms.

The appearance of some unexplained physical symptoms, such as headaches, stomach pain, and nausea.

**Symptoms of social phobia in adolescents**

 

Symptoms of social phobia in adolescents and adults include the following:

- Quietness and introversion.

- Extreme withdrawal from social situations, especially when encouraged to speak.

- Hesitation and shyness.

- Negative thinking.

- Extreme anxiety and stress from negative judgment and criticism from others.

- Fear of embarrassment or humiliation.

- Crossing arms most of the time.

- Keeping your head tilted down.

- Poor communication skills, including facial expressions.

- Having nervous habits and movements, such as playing with or twirling your hair.

**Symptoms of social phobia:**

Feeling nervous in social situations does not mean you have social phobia, as many people feel shy. But if this shyness negatively affects your daily life and causes you great stress, then we can consider it social phobia.

For example, it is normal to feel anxious before giving a speech, but if you suffer from social phobia, you may feel anxious for weeks before the event, and you may resort to apologizing for attending due to illness, or your fear may cause your voice to shake during the speech to the point that you find it difficult to speak. Symptoms of social phobia are divided into three types: emotional, behavioral, and physical, as follows:

**Psychological and physical symptoms of social phobia:**

 

The symptoms of social phobia vary between psychological and physical signs that affect the individual's life and cause him severe anxiety and tension when thinking about merging with others. These symptoms include:

**Psychological symptoms of social phobia:**

 

. **Excessive self-awareness:** A person with social phobia suffers from excessive self-awareness, as he feels that eyes are directed at him and that others are watching his flaws that he seeks to hide.

. Harmful anxiety: A social phobia patient experiences symptoms of harmful anxiety for periods that extend to days, weeks, or even months before a social event occurs, as he frequently thinks about the possibility of withdrawing from this situation.

3. Fear of judgment:

A person with social phobia symptoms suffers from an intense fear of being watched by others, and he fears that they will pass judgment on him, especiallyBy people they don't know.

4. Fear of certain behaviors:

A patient with social phobia symptoms feels anxious about the possibility of behaving in ways that may cause him embarrassment or humiliation in front of others.

. Fear that others will notice your fear: Due to the severity of the impact of fear and irrational thoughts associated with social phobia symptoms, the patient fears that others will notice his feelings of fear.

Physical symptoms of social phobia:

. Blushing of the face and flushing of the cheeks: Redness of the skin is a common physical response to mild social phobia symptoms, and blushing is usually caused by social phobia rather than a medical cause.

. Shortness of breath: Some individuals with social phobia may notice a feeling of shortness of breath, as this symptom is considered a common symptom of severe social phobia. However, this condition is usually harmless and disappears once the cause is removed.

. Stomach disorders and nausea: Psychological symptoms that affect the stomach, such as irritable bowel syndrome, appear in response to social phobia. The enteric nervous system functions abnormally during times of social anxiety, causing changes in levels of neurotransmitters such as serotonin, or increased nerve sensitivity, resulting in gastrointestinal symptoms such as abdominal pain, cramps, or constipation.

. Tremors or shaking: Many people with social anxiety disorder or social phobia have voice problems, as these people tend to use a weak, quiet voice, and may speak with a stutter. This happens because social anxiety interferes with the ability to express themselves vocally.

. Rapid heartbeat or chest tightness: Social phobia causes an increased heart rate, as anxiety disorders are generally associated with a rapid heartbeat. According to the Johns Hopkins Foundation, this can lead to increased stress on the heart over time, increasing the risk of heart disease.

**. Sweating: ** Excessive sweating is sometimes considered a secondary symptom associated with social anxiety disorder or social phobia. Studies show that up to 32% of people with social anxiety experience excessive sweating in embarrassing situations or when they feel that attention is directed at them.

**Behavioral symptoms of social phobia:**

 

. **Avoiding social situations:** This behavior results from physical symptoms such as voice shaking and sweating, which prompts the person with social phobia to avoid people and gatherings, which negatively affects their activities and daily life. This is considered one of the most prominent symptoms of social phobia, especially in women.

. **Maintaining silence:** Some resort to silence or hiding in the background as a way to escape feelings of humiliation and embarrassment. Sometimes, individuals fear that they will be judged based on the tone of their voice, whether it is soft in the case of men or rough in the case of women, which prompts them to remain silent.

. **Dependency:** People with social phobia suffer from a constant need to depend on others, as they prefer not to face situations alone and take their friends with them wherever they go.

**. Drug and Smoking:**People with social anxiety may turn to cigarettes or alcohol as a way to calm themselves before facing social situations, believing that this will help them control their nerves.

**Coping Strategies for Social Phobia**

 

In addition to professional therapy, individuals with social phobia can benefit from a variety of coping strategies to manage their anxiety.

**Developing Social Skills**

Improving social skills can help reduce anxiety during interactions in social situations. This can be achieved through social skills training, which involves practicing communication skills, assertiveness, and problem-solving.

**Relaxation Techniques** Practicing relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, and meditation, can help reduce anxiety and promote a sense of calm.

*Gradual Exposure** Gradual exposure to feared social situations helps individuals build confidence and reduce anxiety over time. It is recommended to start with less scary situations and gradually move on to more challenging situations.

**. Drug and Smoking:**People with social anxiety may turn to cigarettes or alcohol as a way to calm themselves before social situations, believing that this will help them control their nerves.

**Coping Strategies for Social Anxiety**

 

In addition to professional therapy, individuals with social phobia can benefit from a variety of coping strategies to manage their anxiety.

**Developing Social Skills**Improving social skills can help reduce anxiety when interacting in social situations. This can be achieved through social skills training, which involves practicing communication skills, assertiveness, and problem-solving.

**Relaxation Techniques**Practicing relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, and meditation, can help reduce anxiety and promote a sense of calm.

**Gradual Exposure**Gradual exposure to feared social situations helps individuals build confidence and reduce anxiety over time. It is recommended to start with less scary situations and gradually move on to more challenging situations.

**Support Groups**Joining a support group can provide a sense of belonging and encouragement, which can help individuals better cope with their challenges.

**Signs of Social Phobia:**

 

Feelings of fear and anxiety are the main symptoms of social phobia. It is not an emergency that occurs as a result of a specific situation, but rather a chronic feeling accompanied by many other symptoms. We will review some of these symptoms below:

. **Avoid social situations:** A person with social phobia seeks to stay away from any situations or occasions that mayThe core of it is direct interaction with others, except in the narrowest limits. He may distance himself from his friends and reduce his participation in group activities, and avoid work that requires cooperation with a team.

. **Hand tremors:** When facing uncomfortable situations, the person shows signs of confusion, such as blushing or stuttering, and may also suffer from hand tremors. 

**Difficulty speaking in front of others:**

 

A person with social phobia finds it difficult to speak in front of an audience or give a speech, due to his strong feeling of embarrassment and his belief that others are watching him.

. Fear of experience: A social phobia patient suffers from a noticeable escape from doing any new tasks that he has not tried before, as he is dominated by a constant feeling of fear of everything new. He feels anxious about the results and does not trust his abilities, even if these tasks are simple.

. Fear of attention from others: A social phobia patient avoids all situations that may make him the center of attention of others, for fear of not achieving the expected success. Therefore, he rarely participates in competitions, and he is also rarely present at family and social events and parties. He is generally considered a pessimistic person, as he lives in a state of constant anxiety and expects disasters and problems to occur on these occasions, which may lead him to social withdrawal in the future.

. Inability to make friends: A social phobia patient cannot make friends or enter into emotional relationships with strangers due to his loss of confidence in himself and those around him.

Medications for treating social phobia?

 

The treating physician may resort to prescribing medications for treating social phobia in addition to other treatment methods. This strategy aims to control symptoms and improve mood.

Antidepressants and anti-anxiety medications may be very effective in treating social phobia for short periods of time, but there are other types of medications for treating social phobia, such as:

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs): Among the best types of antidepressants used, such as citalopram and escitalopram.

Selective serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs).

Benzodiazepines: Used for short periods of time if anxiety dominates the feelings of the affected person.

Beta-blockers: Used to control the physical symptoms of social anxiety such as rapid heartbeat.

**Treatment of social phobia in children and adolescents**

 

Treatment of social phobia in children and adolescents aims to help them reduce feelings of stress and intense fear, and enhance their ability to interact positively and effectively with school and life in general. Treatment options include the following:

**Cognitive behavioral therapy** Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a type of psychotherapy, where the therapist helps the child or adolescent replace negative thoughts with positive ones, in addition to teaching him how to think and deal with social situations in a more positive way.

**Family therapy** Family members can play an important role in supporting a child or adolescent who suffers from social phobia by:

- Providing opportunities for him to be exposed to situations that stimulate symptoms of social phobia.

- Providing support when he faces situations that provoke feelings of fear and anxiety.

- Avoid talking on his behalf.

- Encouraging him to join clubs and activities that he loves, and to build new friendships.

- Listen to his concerns and boost his self-confidence.

- Encourage him to practice exercises or activities that help him relax.

**Medication** Some medications can be used to relieve the symptoms of social phobia and enhance the ability to perform daily activities more effectively.

Among the medications that a doctor may prescribe to treat social phobia in children and adolescents, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors stand out, the most prominent of which are:

- Zoloft.

- Prozac.