Surprising findings in social anxiety research

Business woman is looking out of the window in her hotel room. Foto: Jan Haas / NTB scanpix NB! MODELLKLARERT
A Norwegian research project reveals that social anxiety is much more heritable than previously thought. Anxiety still varies considerably over time, and there are good opportunities to get rid of the disorder.
These results come from a large study of social anxiety and avoidant personality by the Institute of Public Health (FHI).
It has previously  been recognized that both heredity and environment play a part in some developing  of social anxiety. But the researchers were not aware that the genes would play such as an important part of this,
– The risk of developing social anxiety is associated with avoidant personality traits. These personal traits can make you avoid situations you experience as creepy. Many also uses hedging strategies to hide the anxiety. In the long term it can lead to more anxiety, says Fartein Ask Torvik, a researcher at the department of genetics, environment and mental health at FHI.
Source: NTB scanpix / Norway Today