There has also been in the past few years an increasing prevalence among white educated married people (Walsh, J. p. 138). People with this disorder have also been reported to have a high chance of being diagnosed with other disorders such as depression, panic disorder, phobia disorder, and substance abuse. In fact those with social anxiety are four times more likely to have other anxiety and mood disorders (Walsh, J. p. 138). Many people turn to drinking because they find it as a way to cope with their anxiety and they feel as if it increases their social ability. Many times Social Anxiety disorder was misdiagnosed and untreated because it overlaps with these other disorders or people just see it as extreme shyness so they will not seek out help. Ninety five percent of patients go untreated and are at increased risk for depression, alcohol dependence, and suicide (Zal, M. p. 1686). In fact adults are seven times more likely than average to become depressed, thirteen times more likely to attempt suicide, and twice as likely to develop alcohol dependence (Harvard Mental Health Letter, p. 2).
In children, Social anxiety disorder lasts for six months or more, the children fear strangers both children and adults at an age when it is no longer normal. They also are anxious about reading out loud, writing on a blackboard, starting a conversation, or attending a birthday party. They like to cling to the parents and may even refuse to go to school. Children are also expected to have a high rate of phobias and separation anxiety and can tolerate very little stress (Harvard Mental Health Letter, p. 0). Children who are born into families with anxious adults may acquire related behaviors through modeling and subsequent reinforcement (Walsh J. p. 138). .
The causes of social Anxiety disorder can be biological, environmental, or genetics. Biological causes can be a dysfunctional brain dopaminergic system or other problems with the brain that cause abnormal levels of dopamine or serotonin.
