“Can depression cause social anxiety?”, if this thought is pondering over your mind, then this is your place to get answers. Through this blog, you will be able to decode the mysterious relationship between your anti-social nature and depression.
The state of depression brings with it a baggage of several emotional changes. Social anxiety is part of that emotional change that isolates people from their social life. Social anxiety may or may not be a consequence of one’s depressed condition. However, there are certain circumstances due to which a person becomes anti-social and gets lost in the realm of anxiety
As per the research done by Seattle Anxiety Specialists, approximately 15 million adults in the United States are diagnosed with social anxiety disorder every year, totaling about 7.1% of the population. This number is just a fraction of the people who suffer from social anxiety. This alarming increase in the number of people suffering from social anxiety calls for much-needed attention.
Therefore through this blog, we aim to educate you about social anxiety and answer your question “Can depression cause social anxiety”? It also contains valuable tips and information on how to recover from social anxiety and lead a healthier life.
What is social anxiety?
According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, social anxiety is “a marked and persistent fear of social or performance situations in which embarrassment may occur”. Social anxiety is a condition that affects a person’s mental health. It’s when a person becomes overly self-conscious about their appearance and is affected by what others think about them. Social anxiety can trap a person in a bubble of self-pity and insecurity. People with social anxiety often avoid social situations or being in front of others for fear of being judged or criticized. Not only does social anxiety affect someone’s mental health, but it can also become a barrier in other areas of their life and deteriorate their development. Let’s answer the question, “Can depression cause social anxiety” for all the individuals out there.
Can depression cause social anxiety?
While social anxiety is not solely a result of depression, both depression and social anxiety can co-exist together in some situations. In a research study done by NCBI, 290 participants were taken as samples to evaluate for depression and social anxiety. 21.21% of participants were found to be suffering from social anxiety with depression. Hence, it was concluded that participants with social anxiety are more likely to experience depressive symptoms and have a poor quality of life. Though depression doesn’t directly lead to social anxiety it does trigger certain emotions that fuel up social anxiety. Apart from depressive symptoms, there are other leading causes of social anxiety too. It can be the result of a variety of factors, such as the COVID-19 pandemic effect, high unemployment rates, school pressures, or past social experiences.
Symptoms: Social Anxiety & Depression
Social anxiety and depression bring certain physical and psychological changes in the behavior of an individual. One of the most frequently asked questions is Can depression cause social anxiety symptoms? While not all social anxiety symptoms are necessarily symptoms of depression. Some social anxiety symptoms may even be symptoms of depression.
Physical Symptoms
- Feeling short of breath
- A rapid increase in heartbeat
- Excessive sweating
- Feeling of nausea
- Frequent headaches
- Tremors in hands and stammering in voice
Psychological Symptoms
- Excessive fear
- Avoiding eye contact
- Decreased self-esteem and low self-confidence
- Self-doubt and negative self-talk
Social Anxiety Treatment Methods
Shifting the focus from “Can depression cause social anxiety” to How to treat your social anxiety”, here are some of the treatments recommended by medical science to treat your social anxiety
Psychotherapy
Both individual and group therapy sessions are said to be effective when it comes to treating social anxiety. Research by NCBI shows that cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and cognitive therapy (CT) have been effective in treatments for social anxiety disorder. These therapies help in gaining control over your fear and developing self-confidence that gradually reduces your anxiety level. You need to know about the difference between REBT vs CBT.
Medications
Certain antidepressant medications are suggested when disorder symptoms fail to be self-managed. Social anxiety creates an imbalance of chemicals in the brain that raises certain risk factors. In situations when social anxiety symptoms seem aggravated and harmful, it’s recommended to consult a doctor for suitable medications.
Lifestyle Changes
Social anxiety and depression surround the mind with negativity and self-doubt. During this condition, it’s necessary to do such activities which fuel up positivity in the mind and bring empathy and compassion towards self. This change can be as simple as doing a 30-minute yoga session daily or joining a social group that encourages you to present your talent and skill without hesitation and fear. A study by the National Institute of Health found that patients with Social anxiety disorder who practiced yoga in addition to other treatments showed a gradual improvement in their anxiety score.
FAQs: Can Depression Cause Social Anxiety
1. Is social anxiety curable?
It is possible to reduce the negative effects of social anxiety if the right treatment and steps are taken. Therapy, mindful exercises such as yoga, and meditation can help reduce the anxiety level.
2. Can depression cause social anxiety?
While social anxiety and depression can co-exist, can depression cause social anxiety? There may not be a simple answer. Depression does trigger certain emotions such as excessive fear, social awkwardness, and loneliness that can lead to social anxiety
3. People of what age face social anxiety at its peak?
Early adulthood and adolescence are two stages where social anxiety is most likely to onset. This age of anxiety onset varies depending on personal experiences, genetic factors, and environmental influences.
4. What are the symptoms of social anxiety?
Social anxiety is characterized by a range of physical and psychological alterations in the body and mind. Symptoms may include shortness of breath, hand tremors, excessive sweating, social anxiety, fear of social situations, and poor self-confidence.
5. How does a depressed person react?
A depressed person usually acts anti-social and is uninterested and unaware of what’s going around in his everyday life. They tend to avoid social situations and wallow in feelings of guilt and shame.
Conclusion
Detaching yourself from the social world is not healthy for both your body and mind. While you might have got your answers to “Can depression cause social anxiety” in your behavior, merely gaining knowledge is not enough. If you experience even a hint of these negative emotions, share them with your loved ones and accept your condition with a warrior’s attitude. There’s always some kind of social fear that stops us from accepting and recovering. But with more and more education, people are becoming aware of the increasing importance of mental health. There are many resources and support available to you at your fingertips. All you have to do is stand up and face the challenges that life throws at you with strength and resilience. It’s often said that help comes only when you help yourself. More than being a strong and patient person, it’s also important for you to be compassionate to yourself during this stage of your life.
At Calusa Recovery, various treatment modalities are offered that are centered around finding the best path to your recovery and life. Calusa Recovery offers a broad range of treatment programs, including intensive inpatient and outpatient programs, as well as holistically based programs and an adventure-based experiential program.
Inpatient therapy is a more intensive treatment that has a client stay at a facility 24/7, offering detox treatment. Outpatient can offer the same level of intensive therapies as inpatient but allows the client to live at their home so they can still fulfill work and life obligations. Holistic therapies offer a broader approach to overall wellness, incorporating things like yoga and meditation to take things like physical and spiritual wellness into therapy. Calusa Recovery seeks to heal the entire person, mind, body, and spirit in their therapy to offer the most successful and beneficial treatment program possible to clients.
