Review of Social Anxiety Disorder and Related Concepts

These flashcards cover key concepts, terminology, and definitions related to social anxiety disorder and its underlying factors.

Behavioral inhibition

A temperament characterized by shyness and a reluctance to engage in novel situations, increasing vulnerability to social anxiety.

Social anxiety disorder

A mental health condition characterized by an intense fear of being scrutinized or negatively evaluated by others.

Blush response

An evolutionary response indicating shame or humility, which can become a feature of social anxiety if it occurs excessively.

Vulnerability factors

Characteristics or temperamental traits that increase the likelihood of developing social anxiety disorder.

Temperament

An inherent personality trait that influences behavior, emotional reactivity, and interpersonal interactions.

Avoidant personality disorder

A personality disorder characterized by social avoidance, feelings of inadequacy, and hypersensitivity to negative evaluation.

Comorbidity

The occurrence of more than one disorder in the same individual, such as social anxiety disorder and major depression.

Risk aversion

The tendency to avoid new or unfamiliar situations due to fear or anxiety.

Self-focus

A heightened awareness and preoccupation with how others perceive one, common in individuals with social anxiety.

Anticipatory anxiety

Anxiety experienced in anticipation of a social event or situation, where one fears negative evaluation.

Negative evaluation

The fear of being judged or criticized by others, a central feature of social anxiety disorder.

Cognitive restructuring

A therapeutic technique used to challenge and change maladaptive thought patterns associated with social anxiety.

High emotionality

A response style characterized by strong emotional reactions, particularly in novel situations.

Low extroversion

A personality trait denoting a preference for solitary activities over social interactions, related to social anxiety.

Perfectionism

An often unhealthy need to achieve flawlessness, which can exacerbate anxiety in social situations.

Familial anxiety risk

The inherited predisposition to develop anxiety disorders based on family history.

Goodness of fit

The concept that a child's temperament must match their environment for optimal development, particularly in parenting.

Social interactions

The exchanges between individuals, which can be hindered in those with social anxiety disorder.

Eye contact avoidance

A common behavioral manifestation of social anxiety, where individuals avoid making direct eye contact.

Performance anxiety

The fear of performing in front of others, which can trigger significant distress in those with social anxiety.

Introversion

A personality trait characterized by a focus on internal thoughts and feelings rather than external stimuli.

Social support networks

Groups of social ties that provide emotional and practical support to individuals, crucial for mental well-being.

Social shyness

A typical level of shyness that does not impede social functioning, distinct from social anxiety disorder.

Anticipatory anxiety

The anxiety one feels before engaging in a feared social situation, due to fear of judgment.

Ego-dystonic beliefs

Thoughts or beliefs that are in conflict with a person's self-perception, often seen in social anxiety.

Circumstantial communication

Communication that is overly detailed and off-topic due to anxiety, common in social anxiety scenarios.

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

A therapeutic approach that encourages individuals to embrace their thoughts and feelings rather than avoiding them.

Hypervigilance

An enhanced state of sensory sensitivity, often leading to anxiety about potential social threats.

Social withdrawal

The tendency to isolate oneself from social interactions as a coping mechanism for anxiety.

Subjective self-reliance

The belief that others are constantly evaluating one's performance negatively or that one is inherently flawed.

Exposure therapy

A behavioral treatment for anxiety that involves gradual exposure to the feared social situation.

Illusory distress

The perception of distress in social interactions that may be heightened or unfounded.

Behavioral experiments

Therapeutic techniques that test the beliefs and perceptions individuals have about their social anxiety.