Social anxiety: causes, symptoms and ways to support

Social anxiety is one of the most common deviations on the spectrum of anxiety disorders. It often manifests in adolescence, when young people begin to face new social challenges and expectations. However, anxiety can manifest at any time in a person's life, affecting both children and adults.

According to various studies, about 7% to 12% of people worldwide experience this condition at some point in their lives. This makes the syndrome one of the most prevalent mental disorders. Despite its prevalence, social anxiety often goes undiagnosed and untreated, highlighting the need to raise awareness and provide adequate support.

What is social anxiety?

It is a mental disorder characterized by intense fear and embarrassment of social interactions and interactions with other people. People suffering from this mental disorder experience intense anxiety at the mere thought of public interactions. They fear negative evaluation or humiliation from other people towards them. This disorder significantly limits contacts in everyday life and creates problems in the working, personal or academic sphere.

Symptoms of mental illness are distinguished by their cognitive, physical, and behavioral nature.

Cognitive symptoms:

• Fear of situations involving strangers

• Constant worry related to the opinions of others

• Fear of judgment and criticism

• Fear and panic when speaking in public

• Worry about exposing oneself

Physical symptoms:

• Rapid pulse or feeling of a strong heartbeat

• Feeling short of breath or difficulty breathing

• Excessive sweating, especially on the palms, face and armpits

• Face may become very red

• Feeling of warm or cold waves passing through the body

• Dizziness or feeling of loss of balance

• A feeling of discomfort or pain in the stomach

• A feeling of nausea, which can sometimes lead to vomiting

Behavioural symptoms

• The anxiety sufferer seeks to avoid all social contact that may trigger unpleasant feelings of fear and worry in him or her.

• In case the person finds himself in a frightening situation, he will often leave or run away to cope with the anxiety.

Causes of social anxiety

The causes of this mental disorder can be varied and often occur in combination with other causes.

Overprotective or critical parents

An upbringing in an environment where parents are extremely critical or caring can lead to the development of the mental deviance. Children who are constantly criticized or overprotected may develop feelings of insecurity and fear of interactions with others.

Conflicts within the family

Constant conflict within the family can create an unstable and stressful environment for children. This insecurity can lead to the development of the syndrome as the child may experience feelings of insecurity and fear interactions outside the family.

Sexual harassment

Experiencing sexual abuse can leave lasting effects on a person's mental health. People who have been sexually harassed often experience intense fear and anxiety at the thought of physical contact with others.

Genetic predisposition

Genetics play a significant role in the development of mental disorder. Studies have shown that social anxiety can be hereditary. People with relatives suffering from this disorder have a higher risk of developing anxiety themselves.

Biochemical factors

Some experts believe that chemical imbalances in the brain may also contribute to the development of the syndrome. Certain chemicals, such as the neurotransmitters serotonin and dopamine, play a key role in regulating mood.

Social and cultural influences

Cultural norms and societal expectations can have a major impact on the development of a mental disorder. In societies where there are high standards of social behaviour, people may experience greater anxiety.

Occupational and academic stressors

Pressures in the workplace or learning environment can also contribute to the development of mental deviance. Fear of failure, criticism or judgement from colleagues and teachers can increase anxiety and lead to avoidance of social contact.

Low self-esteem

People with low self-esteem and negative self-concept are more susceptible to developing the mental health problem. They often doubt their abilities, causing them to fear public appearances in which they may be judged or rejected.

Perfectionism

A tendency towards perfectionism can also be a factor in the development of the syndrome. People who fear making mistakes may experience significant anxiety in a variety of situations in which they feel they must perform flawlessly.

Negative social experiences in childhood

Experiences of rejection, isolation or humiliation in childhood or adolescence can leave lasting marks and lead to the development of a mental deviance in adulthood.

Media influences

Social media play a significant role in people's lives nowadays. Constant comparisons with idealised images on social media can fuel feelings of inferiority and increase anxiety in contact with others.

Crowdfunding to help people suffering from social anxiety

Crowdfunding is a method of funding projects or initiatives by collecting donations from a large number of people. This is usually done through internet platforms. This approach allows people with common interests to come together and support causes they feel are important. Crowdfunding platforms provide an easy and effective way to raise funding while building a community around a specific project or cause.

How crowdfunding can be used to support people with social anxiety

Crowdfunding can be a powerful tool to support peoplewith social anxiety in a number of ways. Donations can be collected for therapy and treatment for people who suffer from this condition. Crowdfunding can also fund educational campaigns that raise awareness and provide resources for dealing with social anxiety. Funds raised can support research and development of new treatments and techniques for this mental illness.

The PavelAndreev.ORG digital platform provides an excellent opportunity to organize crowdfunding campaigns aimed at supporting people suffering from social anxiety syndrome. Through the platform, anyone can easily create a campaign, share their story and attract support from a wide range of people. Successful campaigns often include personal stories that resonate with audiences and show the impact of the mental disorder on people's lives.

How can we help someone with social anxiety

Charity campaigns are a powerful tool to raise funds and awareness of the illness. They can be organised by individuals, communities or organisations. The main aim of these campaigns is to draw public attention to the problem and raise funds for treatment, sessions with a psychologist, research and support for people suffering from this mental disorder.

How to use the PavelAndreev.ORG digital donation platform

Digital platforms like PavelAndreev.ORG provide an easy and affordable way to organize and manage charity campaigns. They allow organizers to create an initiative they want to raise funds for and share their story. Donors, on the other hand, can easily make their donation online, and the platform provides the necessary transparency and accountability for the funds raised.

Start a campaign or make a donation and help a person in need.

Practical tips for starting a campaign

• Define your goals: Clearly define what you want to achieve with the campaign - raise funds for therapy, raise awareness, support research, etc.

• Create an impactful headline: Make your campaign headline catchy and impactful. Include personal stories and visuals that resonate with the audience.

• Promote actively: Use social media, email marketing and other communication channels to spread the word about the campaign. Encourage your network to share the initiative to get more people involved.

• Accountability: Keep donors informed about the progress of the campaign and how the funds raised will be used. Update the campaign regularly with news and thank you notes to donors.

Bringing people together around different charity campaigns dedicated to fighting different mental illnesses is of utmost importance to the society we live in. Support people who struggle with social anxiety and help them lead a peaceful and fulfilling life. Donate or start a campaign today.