Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD) is defined as an intense, persistent fear of being watched and judged by others. This can affect work, school, and other daily activities. SAD is one of the most common anxiety disorders, affecting 7% to 13% of the population worldwide and over 8 million people in the UK at some point in their lives. Men sometimes feel like they should follow traditional gender roles by appearing confident, assertive, and in control of social situations, which can cause feelings of inadequacy or fear of judgement to bottle up.
Men diagnosed with SAD showed a higher likelihood of experiencing lifetime alcohol abuse and dependence, pathological gambling, conduct disorder, and antisocial personality disorder.Â
Some specific symptoms can include:
Intense self-consciousness in social situations, fearing public scrutiny.
Social anxiety results in intense physical symptoms, such as sweating, trembling, rapid heartbeat, nausea, dizziness, or blushing.
Some men may turn to alcohol or drugs as a way to self-medicate and cope with the discomfort of social situations.Â
Men with social anxiety often overanalyse past social interactions, focusing on perceived mistakes or embarrassing moments.Â
Men with social anxiety may go to great lengths to avoid social situations or interactions that trigger their anxiety. This can include avoiding parties, public speaking, or everyday activities like making phone calls or eating in public.
Men with SAD are more likely than women to experience certain comorbid psychiatric disorders, including alcohol abuse and dependence, pathological gambling, conduct disorder, and antisocial personality disorder. Social anxiety often co-occurs with other mental health conditions such as depression, generalised anxiety disorder, or substance abuse disorders. Men with social anxiety may experience heightened symptoms of these conditions.
Social anxiety can start at any age, including childhood, adolescence, or adulthood. However, it often begins during adolescence or early adulthood, typically between 13 and 18. This period is characterised by significant social and developmental changes, such as increased peer interactions, greater emphasis on social acceptance, and heightened self-awareness.
Some coping strategies may include:
When anxious, practice deep breathing exercises to calm the body and mind. Focus on slow, deep breaths, inhaling through the nose and exhaling through the mouth.
Challenge negative thought patterns and cognitive distortions associated with social anxiety. Replace irrational or unhelpful thoughts with more balanced and realistic perspectives.
Gradually expose yourself to feared social situations or triggers in a controlled and systematic manner. Start with less anxiety-provoking situations and progressively work your way up to more challenging scenarios.
Learn and practise practical social skills, such as assertiveness, active listening, and conversation starters.
Acknowledge and celebrate your progress in managing social anxiety, no matter how small.Â
Untreated social anxiety can lead to low self-esteem, issues with being assertive, and poor social skills. Ongoing stress and avoidance behaviours associated with social anxiety can exacerbate symptoms of co-occurring disorders. Untreated social anxiety can also lead to low self-esteem, issues with being assertive, and poor social skills. Social Anxiety Disorder can be treated through therapeutic interventions and medications. The most commonly prescribed antidepressants for anxiety disorders are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs). Beta-blockers and anti-anxiety drugs, such as benzodiazepines, are also commonly used. Read more about this in the Treatment for Anxiety page.
References:
Asher, M., & Aderka, I. M. (2018). Gender differences in social anxiety disorder. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 74(10), 1730–1741. https://doi.org/10.1002/jclp.22624
How Common Is Social Anxiety - Understanding Anxiety. (n.d.). Alena. https://alena.com/learn/how-common-is-social-anxiety#:~:text=These%20studies%20have%20found%20that
National Institute of Mental Health. (2022). Social anxiety disorder: More than just shyness. National Institute of Mental Health; National Institute of Mental Health. https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/social-anxiety-disorder-more-than-just-shyness
Xu, Y., Schneier, F., Heimberg, R. G., Princisvalle, K., Liebowitz, M. R., Wang, S., & Blanco, C. (2012). Gender differences in social anxiety disorder: Results from the national epidemiologic sample on alcohol and related conditions. Journal of Anxiety Disorders, 26(1), 12–19. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.janxdis.2011.08.006
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