While social awkwardness may describe an alternative way of living in the world, social anxiety is a defined medical condition that can cause severe social impairment.

What causes social awkwardness?

Like many other mental health conditions, social anxiety disorder likely arises from a complex interaction of biological and environmental factors. Possible causes include: Inherited traits. Anxiety disorders tend to run in families.

Is socially awkward a disorder?

Social anxiety disorder (also called social phobia) is a mental health condition. It is an intense, persistent fear of being watched and judged by others.

Is shy the same as socially awkward?

Unlike introversion, shyness is better understood as a response, rather than a state of being. Its the social discomfort we feel whenever we worry about measuring up or appearing out of place or awkward. And that applies to all of us; everyone experiences shyness from time to time.

Why do I have such bad social anxiety?

Theres no one thing that causes social anxiety disorder. Genetics likely has something to do with it: If you have a family member with social phobia, youre more at risk of having it, too. It could also be linked to having an overactive amygdala -- the part of the brain that controls your fear response.

Is Social Anxiety on the autism spectrum?

Social anxiety (SA) commonly co-occurs with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). It is conceivable that inherent socio-communication impairments, or their impact on social experiences, contribute to the development of SA.

What do socially awkward people act like?

Socially awkward individuals: Fail to notice minor social expectations. Find routine social situations difficult to traverse. Can have unusually intense focus, particularly on topics governed by rules, such as logic or mathematics.