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No matter how much research has been done on the subject, we still can´t talk about one cause, but about many factors.What we do know is that it starts during adolescence, probably because during childhood an innate hipersensitivity has beengrowing finally reaching the level of a social phobia.

Theories concerning social phobia can be grouped in three main cathegories:

Hereditary causes
Feelings of anxiety and fear are present in the human being so as to allow him to recognize and react against the dangers in life, and are of great significance when building a position in a group.The problem comes when these fears are unreasonable and excessive and instead of helping an individual they incapacitate him.Let´s say that the social phobic is terribly exasperated by the idea of his position in the pack, and develops a disproportionate fear of being excluded, isolating himself instead.
It seems that in social phobic´s genetic code instead of finding a normal and healthy tendency towards social anxiety, we find social terror.


Environmental causes
Environmental causes, specially during childhood, can be very important in the developement of social phobias.At this stage of life, parents have an essential role, an may even suffer from social phobia themselves.
For example, parents who are too protective, parents who worry too much about their children or are shy themselves and try to avoid certain social situations could transmit to their children certain feelings and convictions that could make the children social phobics.


Neurological causes
Recent research has shown that social phobia can also be the result of chemical unbalance in the brain.This imbalance is due to the defficient distribution of a substance called “serotonin”through the neurons or the brain cells.
Normally we all have fear reflex actions in certain situations, but a defficient distribution would make the social phobic interpret some stimulus as frightening, while a normal person wouldn´t do so.

SammyT

With Neurological causes, it isn't entirely proven which chemical somebody who is social phobic lacks, since in alot of cases SSRIs have no effect on social phobia and sometimes make it worse. There have been studies that link social anxiety to dopamine dysfunction but again it is disputable whether this is the case for everyone.

I doubt there is one distinct cause which applies to all sufferers of social anxiety, most will be a combination of the ones you stated, although each to varying extents.

I think with hereditery causes, the ability to empathise plays a big part in the development of social phobia.

acejacko

mine did indeed start at about the age of 16, because just before this, i has been name called alot, rejected in social setting's, and never had a girlfreind. so now, atage 19, i am isolated, scared of socializing, got no friends, overweight, depressed, and just dont know what to do. :(

d jackson

Noca

Take the first step on the road to recovery, see your doctor and tell him/her about your problem. From there you can choose therapy, meds, diet, exercise, etc.

dx: Dysthymia,Major Depression, SA, Diaphyseal Aclasis, Fibromyalgia, OCD, ADD, Agoraphobia
rx: Nortriptyline, Remeron, Zyprexa, Xanax, Adderall XR, Dilaudid, Fentanyl

[Space + Data + Shift] = Change

craigmancool

to the 19 year old, tell your goddamn parents to get you help NOW! i'm thirty two and this has ruined my life to a degree which is un-believable. this problem started when i was your age too, and my freaking parents shoved their heads in the sand in denail about it and bought me husky pants. spent the last 2 years fighting it hard and currently LOATHE and HATE my parents to the depths of my soul for their in-action. they want to be 'friends' now that i'm older, so i just use them for whatever...as you can see, this problem can wreak havoc. i have decided NOT to forgive either of them either, as, they are the direct cause of this and when i DO finish this situation and have a child they will NEVER meet him or her so that he/she will not be exposed to their pestilence ridden minds.
good luck dude and don't delay.

p.s.
working out makes you feel better, go to the gym and lift weights.