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What Causes Nervousness When Socializing With New People?

Posted on Thu, 30 Jul 2015

Question: I seem to go into some sort of fight or flight mode anytime I socializing, especially with new people I don't know. And it's just very intense looking them in the eye. I've been trying to fight it but to doing so takes a lot of effort and focus, and it becomes quite exhausting. I feel like I'm unable to show people my true personality because of this, like it's creating some kind of barrier? It would be much easier if I could just relax.. I was researching around and I found that this might have something to do with the adrenal glands, the amygdala gland or an overactive sympathetic nervous system? I don't think it's autism because I'm able to read facial expressions fine so.. was hoping you could shed some light on this. Also suggest any way I might be able to treat it?

Answered by Dr. Ajay Panwar (56 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Possibly Anxiety Neurosis.

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for being on healthcaremagic.com.
I am Dr.Ajay Panwar,a neurologist,here to answer your query.

Your clinical history is suggestive of heightened generalized anxiety levels.This is possibly Anxiety neurosis.Physiological mechanism is,as you said-it all starts in the amygdala leading to overactive sympathetic nervous system.But,that does not mean that you are having some organic brain disease.This is a Psychological cause which is associated with such chemical transmission in the brain which results in the hyperactivity of the following transmission chain:Amygdala-Hypothalamus-Pituitary-Adrenals,thus resulting in such manifestations.True,It is not Autism.

Mental relaxation exercises like meditation/yoga done on regular basis may be of significant help.A regular physical exercises schedule will add to the personality development.Anti-anxiety medicines like clonazepam can be taken for short term.I am hopeful that these management steps will lead to substantial improvement.
Further,I suggest you to please consult a Psychiatrist.He can be of great help.
Hope that I have answered your query.If you have some follow up questions,I shall be glad to answer else please close the thread,rate it and write a review as your rating will be of help to me.

Regards
Dr.Ajay Panwar,
MD,DM(Neurology)

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Shanthi.E

Follow up: Dr. Ajay Panwar (18 hours later)

What about vitamins? Or a diet? I've heard foods with omega 3 fatty acids would be good as well as vitamin c and magnesium. Also do you think this could have anything to do with processing sensory information too slowly?

Answered by Dr. Ajay Panwar (40 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
As follows:

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for being in follow-up.

Magnesium,Vitamins and omega 3 fatty acids are good for neuronal functioning.However,physiological mechanisms like slow sensory processing are things of research and doesn't have much clinical correlation/therapeutic implications.

If you have any further questions,I shall be glad to answer else please close the thread,rate it and write a review as your rating will be of help to me.

Regards
Dr.Ajay Panwar,
MD,DM(Neurology)

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Ajay Panwar (17 minutes later)

do you know anything about sensory overload then? Like being overwhelmed by it?

Answered by Dr. Ajay Panwar (20 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Possibility exists.Anxiety may be associated.Needs Psychiatric evaluation.

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for being in follow-up.

Symptoms of sensory overload or sensory processing disorders can be very similar to anxiety neurosis. Infact,anxiety is commonly associated with sensory processing disorders.Their features can be overlapping.
A detailed psychiatric examination can point out subtle differences between the two.Psychiatric counselling is the mainstay of therapy.

Regards
Dr.Ajay Panwar,
MD,DM(Neurology)

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Ajay Panwar (13 minutes later)

how about when someone is not getting adequate stimulation from their senses and their environment so they retreat to their mind & thoughts & rely on that to sitmulate them? would that be some kind of add or adhd

Answered by Dr. Ajay Panwar (10 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
ADHD pathogenetic mechanisms are different.

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for being in follow-up.

ADHD is primarily characterized by executive function disturbance primarily because of neurotransmitters pathway impairment.

It is not the disturbance of sensory processing mechanisms.
I hope that a Psychiatrist/Clinical psychologist makes it precise further.

Regards
Dr.Ajay Panwar,
MD,DM(Neurology)

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Ajay Panwar (5 minutes later)

alright i have one last question.. what type of treatments are available for sensory processing disorders?

Answered by Dr. Ajay Panwar (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Repeated sensory stimulation therapies.

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for being in follow-up.

Sensory processing disorders are treated with -repeated sessions of sensory stimulation therapy.In this,a patient is exposed to different types of stimuli,in order to train his neurons to get habitual of those stimuli and release neurotransmitters accordingly.Repeated sessions of therapy are given because of the simple logic-to let the body adapt according to those stimuli.So,its a kind of 'repeated practice brings perfection'.

At the same time,associated anxiety or depression is also treated.Sleep hygiene is promoted because improved quality of sleep,adds to the management.

Regards
Dr.Ajay Panwar,
MD,DM(Neurology)

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar