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Social Anxiety Disorder: 5 Common Triggers That You Need To Be Aware Of
Health
2 years ago

Mental health is equally important as physical health. At some point, though, some of us experience mental health disorders which we didn’t even want to have. One of the most common mental disorders experienced by many is social anxiety. In a nutshell, social anxiety disorder, also known  as social phobia, is a type of anxiety disorder that causes extreme fear in social settings. For the most part, people with this disorder have trouble talking to people, meeting new people, and attending social gatherings. They are overtaken by their fears of being judged by others, feeling of not fitting in,  laughed at or humiliated in front of others. 



There are some who think that social anxiety is similar to shyness. Truth be told, it’s not. It’s a lot more complicated than that. While shyness only happens for a short period of time, social anxiety on the other hand is persistent and debilitating which disrupts a person’s life. 



Just like any other mental health issues, social anxiety has its own triggers, too. A trigger can be internal or external, including smells, sights, sounds, and emotions. It can also be specific social situations such as speaking in public or meeting new people. The exact cause of social phobia is unknown, though the common triggers were identified. 



Common Social Anxiety Triggers

A combination of environmental factors and genetics as well as negative experiences are known to trigger social anxiety. Here are the most common triggers that you should be aware of. 

 

  • Public Appearance

Probably the most common among the triggers of social phobia is public appearance. People with this disorder fear the crowds, thus, meeting new people can really be challenging. It makes them more uncomfortable if they know that there will be a lot of people whom they are not familiar with will be in the same place as they are. 

 

  • Initiating Small Talks

People with social phobia find small talks challenging. It gives them the anxiety about saying the wrong thing or sounding stupid. The more intimidating a person seems to them, the more it triggers them. For example, a person with social anxiety came across a teacher, professor, or employer and these people initiated a conversation, this can trigger their social phobia more than others know. Furthermore, they are afraid to voice their opinions for fear that others will be critical and that something terrible will happen as a result..



  • Performing In Front Of People

Being around with people triggers anxiety. How much more if people with social anxiety perform in front of a crowd? Just the mere fact of standing in front of a crowd scares them. Public performances such as athletic competitions, musical performances, or public speaking can trigger social phobia. In addition, the fears about public speaking can also get in the way of career advancement. 

 

  • Using Public Restrooms

Oh, yes. A person with social anxiety disorder can be triggered even when using public restrooms. Here’s a quick fact. Paruresis, also known as urophobia, shy kidney, shy bladder, or bashful bladder syndrome (BBS), is the fear of using public restrooms without medical cause. For some, this is just a made up word or illness, but, little did they know that this can be debilitating. 

 

  • Attending Gatherings or Events

Most of all, attending gatherings can be too much to handle for a person with social phobia. As previously mentioned, they are not inclined with talking to people or sharing the same space with them. Thus, gatherings or events make them feel uncomfortable. 

 

In addition, people with social anxiety have a fear of eating in front of others, which may be triggered by a wide variety of situations, foods, and dining companions. Symptoms such as trembling, excessive perspiration and stammering can be noticed. 



Thoughts To Ponder

Social anxiety disorder is not something that people wished to have. This can have a serious negative effect on their personal relationships, professional lives and ability to go about their daily routine. On a positive note, there are ways on how to cope with social anxiety that can help things feel easier. Learning to be more assertive will make it easier to ask for any accommodations at work or school to help ease your anxiety. It’s not an overnight project, for sure but it can be achieved.