Impact of Social Anxiety on the Nervous System

Social anxiety disorder, also known as social phobia, is a form of anxiety that causes intense fear and embarrassment in social situations. This condition is more than just shyness; it's a complex issue that involves changes in the brain and body.

Research suggests that oxytocin, a chemical messenger in the brain that decreases anxiety, may be lower in people with social anxiety. The prefrontal cortex (PFC), which plays a significant role in planning, decision-making, and self-control, is generally underactive in people with social anxiety. On the other hand, the amyggdala, a part of the brain that deals with emotions, especially fear, anxiety, and aggression, is often overactive in response to social interactions.

The PFC tends to be more active in response to social threats in socially anxious people. Conversely, if a person with social anxiety avoids looking at faces, the fusiform gyrus, a part of the brain involved in processing faces and determining emotional states, will be less active. However, if the person tends to overly focus on faces, the fusiform gyrus will be much more active than usual.

The hippocampus, a part of the brain involved in learning and memory, may play an essential role in social anxiety. Some evidence shows that when socially anxious people see faces of people they haven't seen before, their hippocampus goes into overdrive. When repeatedly shown these faces, people with social anxiety do not learn to become familiar as a person without anxiety does. Instead, they continue to identify the faces as threatening.

The exact genetic influences on the functional differences of brain regions in people with social anxiety disorder have not been pinpointed to a specific date. However, research linking gene variants (such as those related to adenosine receptors) to anxiety responses, presented at a conference by a German-American team, indicates ongoing genetic investigations into anxiety-related brain functions in recent years.

Joining an online or in-person support group can help connect with others who share your struggles and offer strategies and advice on dealing with social anxiety. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) also helps people identify negative thoughts and patterns of behavior and replace them with positive ones. It benefits socially anxious people by changing how the brain reacts to social criticism and teaching important social skills to overcome anxiety.

In addition to changes in the brain, many changes occur in the body when someone experiences social anxiety. These changes include blushing, excessive sweating, increased heart rate, muscle tension and rigid posture, nausea and stomach pain, shortness of breath, and the release of stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline.

Medications such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and anti-anxiety drugs, including benzodiazepines, can help manage social anxiety. Many people with social anxiety see greater benefits when these medications are combined with therapy. The anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), which helps the prefrontal cortex communicate with the amyggdala, becomes more active when socially anxious people look at faces with negative facial expressions.

It's important to note that children of controlling, overprotective, or intrusive parents are more likely to develop a social anxiety disorder. Stressful life events such as sexual or emotional abuse also increase the risk of developing the disorder. The amyggdala, which is slightly larger in people with social anxiety, is often overactive in response to social interactions, and the more severe the anxiety symptoms, the larger the amygdala.

The ACC helps the prefrontal cortex communicate with the amyggdala, but this channel is disrupted in people with social anxiety, making it harder for them to control their emotions and emotional behavior. There are significant differences in how the PFC communicates with other brain areas in people with social anxiety, causing fear and anxiety instead of decreasing amyggdala activity.

In conclusion, social anxiety disorder is a complex issue that involves changes in the brain and body. Understanding these changes can help in developing effective treatments and support systems for those affected by this condition.