Part UT Health San Antonio
UT Health San AntonioUT Health San Antonio

UTSA Part of UT Health San Antonio

Contact Us | 210-450-9000

Menu
  • Find a Provider
  • Services
  • Cancer Types
  • Locations
  • Patient Care
  • Cancer Center
  • MyChart
  • X
  • Conditions
  • Conditions In-depth
  • Procedures
  • Wellness Centers
  • Natural & Alternative
  • Drug Info
  • Procedure Animations
  • Wellness Videos
  • Health News
Symptom CheckerQuick Nav
 
Health Library Home>Conditions InDepth>Article

Risk Factors for Social Anxiety Disorder

by Amy Scholten, MPH
Main Page
Risk Factors
Symptoms
Diagnosis
Reducing Your Risk
Treatment
Screening
Talking to Your Doctor
Living With Social Anxiety Disorder
Resource Guide

A risk factor is something that increases your likelihood of getting a disease or condition.

It is possible to develop social anxiety disorder with or without the risk factors listed below. However, the more risk factors you have, the greater your likelihood of developing social anxiety disorder. If you have a number of risk factors, ask your doctor what you can do to reduce your risk.

Risk factors for social anxiety disorder include the following:

Other Mental Disorders

Rates of social anxiety disorder are higher in people who have another anxiety disorder, such as general anxiety disorder, panic disorder or phobias, substance abuse problem ( alcohol use disorder or drug addiction), bipolar disorder, hypochondriasis, or depression.

Age

The disorder typically begins in childhood or early adolescence. It rarely develops after age 25.

Genetics

Rates of social anxiety disorder are higher in first-degree relatives. Genetic influence is estimated to be between 30% and 40%.

Medical Diseases

People with asthma are at an increased risk for social anxiety disorder. People with the following conditions are also at increased risk:

  • Heart disease
  • Difficulty seeing or hearing
  • Painful condition

Childhood Experiences

Childhood experiences associated with an increased risk of social anxiety disorder include: physical or sexual abuse, early separation from parents, and difficulties in school.

REFERENCES:

Anxiety disorders. National Institute of Mental Health website. Available at: https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/anxiety-disorders/index.shtml. Updated March 2016. Accessed June 27, 2017.

Morris EP, Stewart SH, Ham LS. The relationship between social anxiety disorder and alcohol use disorders: a critical review. Clin Psychol Rev. 2005;25(6):734-760.

Schneier FR. Clinical practice. Social anxiety disorder. N Engl J Med. 2006;355(10):1029-1036.

Social anxiety disorder. EBSCO DynaMed Plus website.http://www.dynamed.com/topics/dmp~AN~T115906/Social-anxiety-disorder. Updated November 8, 2016. Accessed June 27, 2017.

Social phobia. Merck Manual Professional Version website. Available at: http://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/psychiatric-disorders/anxiety-and-stressor-related-disorders/social-phobia. Updated May 2014. Accessed June 27, 2017.

Last reviewed June 2017 by EBSCO Medical Review Board Adrian Preda, MD  Last Updated: 12/20/2014

EBSCO Information Services is fully accredited by URAC. URAC is an independent, nonprofit health care accrediting organization dedicated to promoting health care quality through accreditation, certification and commendation.

This content is reviewed regularly and is updated when new and relevant evidence is made available. This information is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with questions regarding a medical condition.

To send comments or feedback to our Editorial Team regarding the content please email us at healthlibrarysupport@ebsco.com. Our Health Library Support team will respond to your email request within 2 business days.

Copyright ©  EBSCO Information Services
All rights reserved.
Privacy Policy | Editorial Policy
Physicians and care providers of
UT Health San Antonio

8300 Floyd Curl Dr.

San Antonio, TX 78229

210-450-9000

Connect with us
  • Patient Rights and Responsibilities
  • Language Assistance
We make lives better ©

We're a part of UT Health San Antonio, provider of comprehensive health,  dental, &  cancer care,  advanced academics  and  life-saving research.

Web Privacy | Links from websites affiliated with The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio's website (uthscsa.edu) to other websites do not constitute or imply university endorsement of those sites, their content, or products and services associated with those sites. The content on this website is intended to be used for informational purposes only. Health information on this site is not meant to be used to diagnose or treat conditions. Consult a health care provider if you are in need of treatment.