Researches on Social Anxiety Disorder
Social anxiety disorder appears in cases that require social communication and performance; the patients feels uneasy about being watched. An apparent and continuous fear of making mistakes prevents the patient from getting involved in social environments. This fear does not depend on the attributes of the social environment; any social communication would be enough for an increase in anxiety (conversation, making presentations, answering questions, camera, etc.).
- Cognitive (confusion, forgetting),
- Behavioral (being unable to know where to stand, where to put one’s hand on) and
- Physical (sweating, rash) symptoms are observed.
The studies carried out in America report that social anxiety disorder emerges at and around the age of 13. Despite being a seriously problematic disorder that negatively affects daily life, it can be seen that the patients apply for the treatment only 15-20 years later. Although it is reported that the prevalence in women is higher compared to men, the different in between is not significantly big.
The studies carried out to this date particularly indicate the parent-child relations and past social experiences. Genetic transmission, biological factors and temperament are also shown among the reasons of social anxiety.
There are studies regarding the fact that it is in association with substance abuse, unemployment, low socio-economic status, low business performance, low life satisfaction, suicidal ideation and depression.
Among the accompanying disorders of social anxiety disorder, mood disorders have the highest rate (39%). With a rate of 11.4%, alcoholism ranks second.
