28 Mar
Ever wonder why your heart beats fast when you’re around people? Or why speaking up in class or talking to strangers feels like climbing a mountain with no shoes on? You’re not alone. Many people feel this way, and it’s called social anxiety. It’s more than just being shy. It can make everyday things feel scary, like saying “hi” or asking for help.
But here’s the big question: Were you born with it? Or did life just teach you to be afraid?
Some say anxiety runs in families, like curly hair or a sweet tooth. Others think it comes from life experiences. Therapy for high-functioning anxiety or genetic-related disorders like bipolar can share overlapping roots. Therapy in Georgia can help find the cause and, more importantly, ways to manage it. So, is social anxiety in your genes, or did you learn it?
What Is Social Anxiety Disorder?
Social anxiety disorder, or SAD, is when you feel super nervous, scared, or worried in social situations. It’s not just being shy. It’s a heavy kind of fear that makes it hard to talk, eat, or even walk in front of others without feeling judged. Here’s what social anxiety can look like:
- Feeling like everyone’s watching you, even when they’re not
- Worrying for days before a school project, party, or meeting
- Avoiding eye contact, blushing, or sweating during conversations
- Thinking you said something wrong even when you didn’t
It’s like a voice in your head saying, “They’re judging you!” over and over. Social anxiety is real, common, and you’re not alone. The good news? It can get better with the right help, like EMDR for anxiety. If you’ve ever felt dizzy when anxious, you’re not imagining it! Anxiety and dizziness are connected and can make social situations feel even harder.
Is Social Anxiety Genetic?
is social anxiety in your DNA? Can you inherit social anxiety?
Science says yes, kind of. If someone in your family has social anxiety or any kind of anxiety disorder, there’s a higher chance you might feel it, too. Studies show that your genes could be behind 30% to 50% of the risk. Let’s break that down:
| Family Connection | Your Risk Level |
|---|---|
| Parent with SAD | Higher |
| Sibling with anxiety | Higher |
| No family history | Still possible |
In fact, you may want to explore deeper questions like: Is bipolar disorder genetic? or can anxiety cause physical symptoms like dizziness or UTIs? These conditions often run in families, but they’re also shaped by how you grow up and what life throws at you.
Even if you’re genetically more sensitive to stress or fear, that doesn’t mean you’re stuck with it. With the right help, like personalized mental health therapy, you can change the path forward and learn how EMDR therapy for anxiety or other mental health approaches can guide that change.
How Social Anxiety Is Passed Through Families
Imagine growing up in a house where everyone whispers at the door, avoids visitors, and panics at phone calls. You’re not just picking up furniture from your family, you’re picking up behavior. Lets explore how social anxiety can travel down the family line:
- Learned behavior: If you see your parents avoiding social stuff, you might do it too.
- Emotional tone: If you grew up in a home full of stress or criticism, social situations can feel unsafe.
- Unspoken rules: Things like “don’t talk too much” or “what will people think?” can make you afraid of being yourself.
Now, mix those family habits with anxiety-related genetic traits, and the combo can be powerful. But here’s something powerful, too: awareness. Once you understand what you’ve picked up, you can choose what to keep and what to let go.
The Science: Genes Linked to Social Anxiety
Scientists have found a few genes that might play a role in social anxiety. These genes don’t guarantee you’ll have it, but they can make you more sensitive to stress, fear, or social rejection. Some key players:
- SLC6A4: This gene helps move serotonin around, your brain’s “feel good” chemical. If this gene isn’t working well, your brain might turn up the fear volume.
- COMT: Think of this one as emotional brake. When it’s not doing its job, emotions can go from 0 to 100 real fast.
- BDNF: This one helps your brain grow and stay flexible. Low BDNF levels can make anxiety harder to manage.
Still, it’s not about one “anxiety gene.” It’s more like a team of genes that together decide how jumpy your brain might be. And like any team, their behavior depends on the environment they’re playing in. That’s where life experience and genetics meet.
Temperament Traits That May Be Inherited
Some people are bold, while others take their time. This is temperament, and it can run in families. Liking alone time, feeling things deeply, wanting things to be perfect, or fearing judgment aren’t bad traits. But with stress they can lead to social anxiety.
If you look calm but feel anxious inside, you might have high-functioning anxiety. Being cautious isn’t wrong; it just means your brain likes to check the room first. Learn more in Is Social Anxiety Genetic?
How the Brain Works in Social Anxiety
Social anxiety changes how your brain handles fear. Your amygdala is like a smoke alarm. In social anxiety, it goes off too easily, even when there’s no danger. Serotonin helps you stay calm, but if there’s not enough, it’s harder to relax. Dopamine makes socializing fun, but low levels can make it feel like a chore.
Here’s a comparison:
| Brain Function | Normal Setting | Social Anxiety Mode |
|---|---|---|
| Amygdala | Alerts you to real threats | Treats small risks like big ones |
| Serotonin | Helps you stay calm | Harder to relax |
| Dopamine | Makes socializing feel good | Makes it feel overwhelming |
Good news? Your brain isn’t broken. It’s just been trained to panic. With time, support, and practice, it can learn a new pattern, especially with therapies like EMDR for anxiety and mindfulness-based approaches.
Is Social Anxiety Becoming More Common Today?
According to Georgia mental health statistics, social anxiety and other mental health issues are rising. Social media has a lot to do with it. We now live in a world where everyone’s life is on display. Perfect photos, viral videos, people “going live” while brushing their teeth. You’re expected to be on all the time.
Then came remote learning, Zoom calls, and long stretches of isolation during the pandemic. For a lot of people, social muscles get rusty. Talking in person now feels harder than ever. And let’s be real: scrolling through flawless lives while you’re sweating over saying “hi” at the grocery store? That does something to your brain. Here’s what’s making social anxiety more common:
- Constant comparison online
- Fear of being recorded or judged
- Pandemic-related social skill loss
- Culture of canceling instead of forgiving
Can You Grow Out of Social Anxiety If It’s Genetic?
Yes! Even if social anxiety runs in your family, you can change. Your brain can grow and rewire itself with practice. How?
- Therapy: Talking to a professional helps.
- Small social steps: Start with little things, like saying “hi.”
- New mindset: It’s okay to make mistakes!
Over time, socializing gets easier. You may have anxiety seeds, but you choose whether they grow or shrink!
What Treatments Help Override Your Genetics?
ou can’t change your DNA, but you can change how anxiety affects your life. The right treatments can help you take control.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) teaches you to challenge anxious thoughts and replace them with balanced ones. Exposure Therapy helps you face fears in small, safe steps until they don’t feel so scary. In some cases, medication like SSRIs or beta-blockers can ease symptoms. Mindfulness and relaxation techniques help calm both the mind and body, while Social Skills Training builds confidence in social situations.
At Novu Wellness, we offer personalized anxiety treatment to help you break the cycle, no matter where it started.
What to Say (and Not Say) to Someone With Social Anxiety
Supporting someone with high-functioning anxiety starts with understanding how deeply words can cut or comfort. If someone in your life has social anxiety, your words matter more than you think. What feels like a simple “just be yourself” to you might sound like “you’re not trying hard enough” to them.
Here’s what to say (and what to avoid) when supporting someone with social anxiety:
| Avoid Saying | Helpful to Say |
|---|---|
| “You’re overreacting.” | “I get that this is hard. Want me to go with you?” |
| “It’s not a big deal.” | “You don’t have to talk. Just being there is enough.” |
| “Just push through it.” | “Take your time. No pressure.” |
Social anxiety makes people feel judged. The best thing you can do is offer support and patience!
Myths About Social Anxiety That Need Busting
There are so many misconceptions about social anxiety, and they make it harder for people to ask for help. Let’s smash a few social anxiety myths, shall we? Because the internet is full of bad advice and worse assumptions.
Myth 1: “It’s just shyness.”
Truth: Shyness is a personality trait. Social anxiety is a disorder that can make life feel unlivable.
Myth 2: “It’ll go away on its own.”
Truth: Without support, it often gets worse. But with help? It can get better.
Myth 3: “You can’t have social anxiety if you’re outgoing.”
Truth: Lots of people are great actors. They laugh on the outside and panic on the inside.
Myth 4: “If your parents didn’t have it, you shouldn’t either.”
Truth: Genetics play a role, but trauma and life experience matter too.
Social anxiety doesn’t follow rules. It follows patterns, and patterns can be changed.
Finding Support in Georgia: Why Local Help Matters
Finding a therapist in Georgia who understands social anxiety can make a big difference. At Novu Wellness in Roswell and Alpharetta, our licensed therapists help you understand where your anxiety comes from, learn real tools to manage it, and rebuild confidence in social situations.
We offer support for teens, adults, and families because healing often starts with the whole system. You’re not too broken or too late, you’re just ready for change.
Is There a Genetic Test for Social Anxiety?
Is There a Genetic Test for Social Anxiety? Many people ask, “Can a test tell me if I got social anxiety from my family?” Short answer? Not yet. There’s no single test that says, “Yes, you have the social anxiety gene.” That’s because no one gene causes it. Social anxiety comes from a mix of genes and life experiences.
Some companies offer tests that look at how your body handles stress or uses brain chemicals like serotonin. But these tests can’t say for sure if you’ll have social anxiety. It’s kind of like checking the weather. A forecast may say it might rain, but that doesn’t mean it will. Your genes may raise your risk, but your choices, your environment, and your support matter more.
If you’re feeling anxious, the best first step isn’t a test, it’s talking to a therapist who understands. That’s where healing can begin.
Conclusion
Social anxiety may live in your genes but it doesn’t get to write your future. Yes, it can run in families. It can grow from years of silence, worry, or fear. It might have started when you were too young to understand it. Traits like overthinking or perfectionism may have passed down through generations. But here’s the truth: it’s not who you are.
- You are not the racing heartbeat in a crowded room.
- You are not the skipped party, the quiet message left unsent, or the pause before every “hello.”
- You are not broken. And you are not alone.
You are human, brave, growing, learning. And you deserve to feel safe in your skin.
Maybe your genes started the story. Maybe anxiety filled in some of the first pages. But the pen? It’s still in your hands. And with support like personalized anxiety treatment and therapy that fits your needs, the next chapter can be something entirely new.
