Social Anxiety:

How its different From Shyness

Jovonna Vanessa
Passages I
9/1/2015
Hansen

Although Social Anxiety Disorder shares many characteristics with other forms of
anxiety disorders and shyness, it differs in many important ways. Social anxiety and other social
phobias such as shyness differ in causes, treatment, and symptoms. These symptoms manifest

themselves in many different ways around the world. Symptoms of Social Anxiety Disorder
(SAD) are also influenced by age and gender. This is important so that people know what an
anxiety disorder looks like in their country and how it affects the people who do have this
disorder in that society, as well to know what triggers people and how to handle someone in a
panicked situation.
What are the causes of Social Anxiety Disorder? Is there only one main cause or are there
many? There are over a dozen different causes such as traumatic life experiences, genetics, and
social connections. They also manifest in many different ways. However, only a few are the main
causes of social anxiety. For example one of the main reasons that affects the people the most is
parental and peer influences ( Parental and Peer Predictors of Social Anxiety in Youth). Why
these two factors influence them the most is because they seek the acceptance from those who
are closer to them and those who they will spend the most time with and those that they will have
in their life for long periods at a time they care about these people the most. Rather than a
stranger who they will only interact with once or maybe twice if mandatory.
In an experiment conducted in 2011 on children between the ages of nine and twelve,
they observed whether the levels of parental anxiety and cautiousness/over cautiousness affect
the child whether the child had inherited the disorder ( S.A.D) or not. They examined the levels
of anxiety between the child of parents who do have anxiety and the levels of anxiety between
parents who do not have the disorder. They also examined the child's peers and their friendship
relationships that they have made over the course of their lives.
What they have discovered is that the higher levels of stress and/or anxiety within the
parents reflected onto the child, who suffered from more intense symptoms.

With respect to parental factors, high levels of parental anxiety, parental overcontrol/
overprotection, and parental rejection have been specifically noted as being associated with high
levels of social anxiety symptoms and disorders in youth. The link between parental and
offspring anxiety has been established through twin and family studies [811]. For instance, Lieb
et al. [12] found that adolescent offspring of parents with anxiety disorders had higher rates of
social phobia (OR = 3.5) than offspring of parents without an anxiety disorder. and those
children who had a weak bond with their parents. This relates to the causes because those who
you spend the most time with will affect you the most.(Parental and Peer predictors of Social
Anxiety in Youth)
Parental rejection has also been linked with higher social anxiety such that higher levels
of rejection foster insecure attachments which increase social anxiety(Parental and Peer
predictors of Social Anxiety in Youth), this is compared to the children whose parents did not
have Social Anxiety Disorder where they had close to no symptoms and/or none at all.

This study shows the levels of Child Social Anxiety, Parental Anxiety, Parental rejection,
Social acceptance, Social support, and friendship quality. (Parental and Peer predictors of Social
Anxiety in Youth). This shows us how genetics and relationships affect a child mental
development.

The authors also observed that in environments where the stronger the child's friendships
are there were lower levels of anxiety and stress; because they felt that they could go to their
friends with whatever concerns them and depend on them for help regardless of the situation.
However, in environments where there isn't much peer acceptance and support there was higher
levels of anxiety and stress. Higher levels of social anxiety were consistently linked with lower
levels of social acceptance (Parental and Peer predictors of Social Anxiety in Youth).

What are the symptoms of Social Anxiety Disorder? Which ones are most common for
anxiety disorders? Some symptoms of S.A.D are academic struggles, emotional
stability/instability, developing social anxieties, and ability/inability to build friendships. These
also are the most commonly seen symptoms, especially in younger people observed in this
experiment. As many people know children having emotional stability is a big factor that
contributes a lot to a student's need and ability to be successful in school and throughout life, but
when a student suffers from social anxiety and other social phobias, or any sort of physical or
mental disability emotional stability is hard to achieve because mental disorders connect in many
different ways and affect people differently on levels of severity and how they present
themselves. (Parental and Peer predictors of Social Anxiety in Youth)

The treatments for Social Anxiety Disorder are the same as the treatments for depression
and several other mental disorders. However when receiving treatment, a doctor would
commonly ask a patient what their interests are and involve that into their therapy, such as
therapeutic art, physical activity, or traditional face to face conversation therapy. One of the most
popular therapy strategies is the therapeutic art. Expressing their emotions and feelings through
neutral and earth tone colors calms the mind and helps visualize their stages of recovery. Seeing
my stages of recovery helps me better understand my thinking process.said an interviewee
(Personal interview. conducted 10 Nov. 2015.) As the process goes on they begin to see calmer
colors in the drawing/ paintings such as blues, and purples.
What are the causes of shyness (a form of social phobia)? The causes of shyness are very
innocent in a sense compared to more severe social phobias that categorize into the mental
disorders. One person interviewed said it was like presenting in front of a class, or going up to
a girl and asking for her number, or the other way around a girl going up the a boy to ask for his
number. This embarrassment will go away after a while, and it will with social anxiety and any
type of anxiety disorder as well, but there's a huge difference because when you're shy you get
rosy cheeks but with anxiety I personally, can't think, see, or even function properly. (Personal
interview. 10 Nov. 2015.)
What are the symptoms of shyness and less severe social phobias? The symptoms of
these phobias are sweatiness, stuttering, and shakiness. These are the most common and more
severe. As with the causes the effects will go away after a while and not affect you anymore after
that situation.
Treatments for social phobias are a bit controversial, because it is debatable whether or
not someone who is shy needs to have treatment. However they are the same as for anxiety

disorders and any other mental disorder. The most common are physical activity and traditional
conversation therapy as these people are most likely to just need to get something off of their
chest.
Western societies, where it (shyness) is widely regarded as an undesirable quality, not
just because it can be an unpleasant state but because of its consequences for social life.
(Childrens shyness: a suitable case for treatment?)

Collectivistic and individualistic societies

There are differences in the world, and there are many different types of people, cultures,
and societies. However there are two major characteristics that can help define all countries or
societies. Some countries or societies value collectivism while others value individualism. The
differences in these cultures and societies concerning social anxiety are that in individualistic
societies it is highly present and less accepted because people are expected to be loud and
demanding to be heard, however in collectivistic countries S.A.D is less diagnosed and is more
accepted because people in these countries are expected to be quiet and reserved and not as
outgoing which is considered as normal.
S.A.D is accepted differently as well in countries that value individualism S.A.D is
viewed as a mental disorder treated with drugs and therapy. where in an individualistic society
S.A.D. can have a greater impact on the daily lives of people so it is treated more seriously.
However, in a society that values collectivism people diagnosed with S.A.D. would receive
different treatment.In these societies people diagnosed with S.A.D. might be treated in more
natural ways with teas and other calming sounds, smells, and or environments. (Social Anxiety
and Social Norms in Individualistic and collectivistic countries)

The values of individualism and collectivism can also influence how a country or a
society views people with S.A.D. Societies and countries where individualism is valued are more
aggressive towards S.A.D but they also romanticize it. In societies that value collectivism they
are more calm and collected about S.A.D and do not necessarily worry about how it is going to
affect them because in these countries people are most likely to be quiet and reserved anyway.
(Social Anxiety and Social Norms in Individualistic and collectivistic countries)
Collective Cultures

Collective cultures are believed to give greater priority to the maintenance of group
harmony. (Social Anxiety and Social Norms in Individualistic and collectivistic countries). They
focus on the common good and the decisions and actions are made to affect all people in a
positive way. Examples of these countries are Japan, South Korea, and Spain. (Social Anxiety
and Social Norms in Individualistic and collectivistic countries)

What S.A.D1 looks like in collective cultures is different because not only do they have
less severity they also do not have all of the common symptoms because of the social norms and
expectations. In collectivistic cultures more rules and guidelines for social behavior possibly
exist that make social slips more obvious than in individualistic cultures. ( Hofmann et al. 2010)
Because people in Eastern Asia are more likely to participate in self criticizing activities they are
more impacted by themselves than the people around them. In a sense they're afraid of
themselves and their own mistakes.
1 Social Anxiety Disorder: Social anxiety is the fear of social situations that involve interaction

with other people.

The reasons why S.A.D is present is because it is believed that these social norms were
designed to ensure group harmony and may evoke fear of negative consequences this is part of
the stringent norm hypothesis. People in these cultures especially women are not are affected less
because they aren't expected to be as social. some of these desirable traits include: modesty,
reserve, diffidence, gentleness and consideration for the feelings of others. ( Childrens shyness:
a suitable case for treatment?). Eastern Asian countries also have a cultural identification for
social anxiety called Taijin kyofusho (TKS) which is the same as social anxiety and has the same
symptoms, but is considered a cultural anxiety. Because they have different social norms their
triggering symptoms will be different. This will cause for a different type of social anxiety that
fits their culture best. For example in collective countries making eye contact in a non formal
matter might trigger symptoms of S.A.D., in addition being introduced to new people. For
women in eastern Asian countries being watched and/or observed can also trigger symptoms of
S.A.D. According to the personality theory symptoms can manifest in the forms of nervousness,
racing heart and trembling and can affect their personality. The social norms impact expectations
and chemical balances or imbalances in the brain, which will affect the way you act and behave
towards others.
These countries do not treat it with medication as what would be expected it considering
the connection between S.A.D and the chemical balances. Collectivistic countries treat it in a
more natural way. For example Chamomile tea which helps one sleep and relax. Therapeutic
acupuncture and massages are also a way that they help with anxiety and any other form of
social phobias. (Social Anxiety and Social Norms in Individualistic and collectivistic countries)

Individual Cultures
An individualistic culture will value the expressions and assertion of individual desires.
Some examples of individualistic countries would be Australia, Germany, Netherlands and The
United States of America (U.S.A.)
What S.A.D looks like in collectivistic countries is different from how it looks in
individualistic countries. One difference is the severities of the symptoms. In a society that
values individualism the symptoms are similar but they can manifest differently because a
headache can turn into a migraine, and imagining a sickness can actually make you sick. For
example, thinking you have a stomach ache will actually give you a stomach ache. The most
common symptoms however are excessive sweating, trembling, and dysmorphia. Dysmorphia is
when the person will find anything wrong with themselves (mainly their face.)

The reason why there is a high level of social anxiety is because of societal norms. Those
who are quiet and more reserved will not have as many opportunities in life because people in
individualistic cultures are expected to speak out for themselves and make themselves heard. In
these societies citizens do not usually take vacation from their jobs which causes stress in their
lives. They are also being held up to higher physical standards, for example; anxiety in women is
higher than men because they are expected to be slim and all around beautiful and have no flaws,
and since being beautiful is highly valued in these places it causes worry and stress and they will
shame themselves for not achieving their goals. (Social Anxiety and Social Norms in
individualistic and Collectivistic cultures)
Individualistic cultures have a more medicinal way of treating social phobias or any type
of mental disorders. They prescribe people who have these disorders medications that will in a
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sense numb the symptoms and reactions towards their social fears. (Social Anxiety and Social
Norms in individualistic and Collectivistic cultures)

This graph shows the countries in a category of whether they are a collective or
individual country and the levels of anxiety there are in that country. Latin America is part of the
collective anxiety group. (Social Anxiety and Social Norms in individualistic and Collectivistic
cultures)
Societal norms, cultural expectations, and cultures are not only what individualizes a
person, place, and thing, but creates similarities as well that affect people in many ways. For
example, one of the many ways of how their cultural expectations and societal norms are made
is due to the country's past. It is important to know this because understanding the mental state of
someone else who is going through a hard time is crucial in order to help them through it. It is

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also good to be aware of the consequences of actions towards other people and why they have
reacted the way that they did.
Hearing people laugh near you. Not talking because you are afraid that what you say
will be judged. Keeping quiet in a conversation with three people. Not being able to go anywhere
alone. Staying inside all day. Hating when the teacher calls on you and asks you a question in
class. Eye contact. Eating in front of people. Counting money before you pay.Not leaving
voicemails, and paying for things at a shop. Asking for help and always preparing what to say.
Bumping into people you do not know and quickly apologizing and running off. Feeling
embarrassed all the time. This, is social anxiety.
-

Anonymous

This quote is an example on how Social Anxiety Disorder can affect people in any society.

So what does Social Anxiety Disorder look like in people? does it look the same in everyone or
does it look differently? Does it matter your gender or age? How does someone who suffers from
Social Anxiety Disorder see everything? Social Anxiety Disorder varies in every person
regardless of age, gender, and even genetics. Everyone's genes differ from everyone else's. A
Parent's worst symptom might be different from their child's. Their level of severity may differ as
well.
Gender is one of the most important things when being diagnosed with Social Anxiety
Disorder. It affects how much medication you can and cannot be prescribed. It affects what kind
of medication you can take, and it determines what kind of symptoms you might experience
more as a male or a female. For example: females are two times more likely to expierience social
anxiety disorder over their lifetime than men are. Females are also most likely to experience
physical health problems as well, and most, would compare this mental disorder to a physical
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disorder. Having anxiety is like having diabetes or asthma (An Emotion More Powerful Than
Fear). As for men, only a small percentage have this disorder and only a small percentage have
physical health effects due to social anxiety disorder.

This graph shows the relevance of age and gender with social anxiety
Age influences the type and amount of medication. (if being prescribed). There is most
likely going to be much more research on getting the right amount of medication for juveniles, to
be sure they are not stripping youth who have Social Anxiety Disorder of their identity
completely by giving them too much and numbing themselves as a whole. Age also tells what
causes, symptoms and treatments they should be looking out for the most, and what to be more
cautious of rather than what you should not. Which for adults is going to be much less, since
adults brain are fully developed and have more emotional stability to be able to understand their
own feelings they are able to control how they handle it better than children.
Children however may feel themselves feeling this way with a tingly pressure like
sensation on their chest and/or throughout their body and think i don't understand what this is
and panic more which causes them to have more anxiety.

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This source shows age group and hospitalization relating to and or caused by anxiety attacks and
or panic attacks. (Chapter 4 Social Anxiety Disorders)

Genetics and chemical balances in your brain are the most important part to understand
when someone is suffering from social anxiety disorder. If the individual knows and understands
their chances of having this disorder and how chemically balanced and/or unbalanced their brain
is can either calm and soothe them or make them more anxious.

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Living with social anxiety 101:

When someone with S.A.D unintentionally runs into someone they know it is probably
one of the worst things that could happen, especially when they are unprepared for any type of
social reaction. Not only is it triggering but once the encounter is over someone with social
anxiety disorder will think about it all day and think about all the awkward body movements they
must have done and will most likely discriminate against themselves. (involving in self criticism)

Answering the phone is the process of thinking how should they answer? Should they
say their name? Or should they just say hello? Should they even answer at all? Then is followed
by a slight hesitation and either an answer or an ignore. These are the worse for someone with
severe social anxiety for this sole reason; they cannot see the callers face to read their facial
reactions and emotions, they are not able to see if the caller has good or bad intentions for the
conversation, and the uncertainty, will just cause for their anxiety to flare.

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Going to a party as a individual that has social anxiety takes some serious mental
preparing to do. Which going to a party is very rare if this individual is not on medication to help
stabilize their emotions and fears of being judged by other guests at the party, especially those
that they don't know. People with this disorder

Coming home after a long day of work or school, or even just any event that requires
social contact, feels like you've just earned a millions dollars and a chocolate fountain.It is a
relieving feeling once you know you are safe and excluded from the world, and that there are no
more worries for that moment and time.

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Social anxiety and other social phobias such as shyness differ in causes, treatment, and
symptoms. The solutions for Social Anxiety Disorder and shyness are working great, and there is
much more that is going to be improved with the studies that are going on now. Though the
differences are very vague and hard to tell the difference, it will become more clear throughout
the years, and the thin line between shyness and Social Anxiety Disorder is becoming more
obvious as the years go by.

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