Fear of attention can be caused by genetics, environmental factors, and an overactive amygdala. Negative experiences, limited social exposure, and social anxiety disorder can also contribute. Validating strengths and achievements can help overcome this fear.
The causes of fear of attention are attributed to a combination of genetics, physiological factors and environmental influences. Some individuals who exhibit shyness have experienced lifelong abuse, criticism, and/or rejection, resulting in a desire to limit negative attention. Growing up in a protected environment with limited social exposure may make you fearful of attention in social situations. Fears and anxieties sometimes run in families, limiting opportunities for social interaction. Physiologically, individuals who have an overactive amygdala, which is a certain part of the brain, may experience more fear than the average person.
Fear of attention is often directly linked to past negative experiences. A person who was constantly belittled or ridiculed as a child may grow up to be a shy adult. When experiences of positive attention are limited in a person’s life, attention sometimes becomes a source of discomfort and distress. Fixing this problem in the shy individual involves validating strengths, talents, and achievements. Over time and with repeated effort, a shy individual can become comfortable receiving positive attention from others.
Some mental health conditions, such as social anxiety disorder, also involve fear of attention. People who have social phobia typically have difficulty interacting with others. Feeling self-conscious, they may fear that people will observe their appearance or judge their behavior or choices. The cause of the condition is undetermined, but is believed to result from a combination of genetic, physiological, and environmental factors.
Growing up with limited social interaction could also be a cause for fear of attention. A parent who has social anxiety disorder or a general dislike of social situations might limit interactions with relatives, friends, and neighbors. Going to great lengths to avoid social contact could present itself in a variety of ways. Avoiding family gatherings, waiting for neighbors to come into the house before receiving mail, and letting all phone calls go to voicemail are a few examples. Children who grow up observing patterns of avoiding others in social situations may mimic these behaviors and feel uncomfortable receiving attention from others.
Fear of attention could also be rooted in physiological factors and brain chemistry. The amygdala is the part of the brain that reacts to stressors and makes fear-related decisions. Individuals who have an overactive amygdala typically experience increased anxiety in situations that others might find innocuous. In a social situation, an innocent remark or words of praise might cause fear in a person who has an overactive amygdala if they misinterpret the remark.
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