Hormones Turn Out To Play A Role In Social Responses, Often Anxious In Crowds? Check Explanation
YOGYAKARTA - Did you know that hormones not only affect psychological factors but also affect how a person responds to the social environment. Various studies prove that hormones play a role in social anxiety. In general, we know the stress hormone or the love hormone or oxytocin.
Stress hormone, known for cortisol and adrenaline, is released when you feel socially threatened. For example, when speaking in public, the body releases these two hormones. Both, triggering a fight-or-flight response, which is characterized by an increased heartbeat, fast breathing, and a tense mind. This sign reinforces social anxiety. Unfortunately, if this hormone continues to be high without real physical harm, you can be trapped in a cycle of anxiety that is difficult to break. Quoting Verywell Mind, Wednesday, August 13, once this hormone is triggered, its effect will reduce the production of other hormones such as testosterone, which can actually calm social anxiety.
Testosterons at low levels are associated with social anxiety. Because this hormone helps the brain assess other people's emotions and respond appropriately, so low levels can make the social situation more confusing and tense.
On the other hand, estrogen tends to reduce the response to fear and support emotional calm. Therefore, the ups and downs of estrogen levels during menstruation or menopause are often associated with mood fluctuations and social anxiety. When stress arises, for example, cortisol increases and at the same time suppresses testosterone production, so that social anxiety can be felt even more.
In addition to the ups and downs of stress hormones and testosterone and estrogen, changes in oxytocin also affect social anxiety. Oxytocin, known as a hormone that fosters trust and social bonds. Oxytocin hormones often relieve social anxiety by helping you feel more relaxed and comfortable in social interactions. However, in negative social situations or after a stress experience, this hormone can actually strengthen negative emotional memories, triggering more intense anxiety.
The occupation of oxytocin, which was studied in experimental animals, has succeeded in improving social behavior after stress. The increasing release of this hormone can help manage social anxiety and reduce the release of a number of hormones related to social anxiety disorders.
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Understanding how these hormones contribute to social anxiety helps you and your health professionals formulate the right strategy. For example, CBT therapy combined with relaxation techniques can help lower cortisols before a tense social situation. While hormone therapy with a doctor's supervision, it can be useful if there is an imbalance in the testosterone level or estrogen, quoted by Harvard Health.
Cortisol hormones, adrenaline, testosterone, estrogen, and oxytocin turn out to play an important role in influencing social anxiety. By understanding how these hormones work, you can take more effective steps in managing anxiety, either through medical support, therapy, or changing your lifestyle to be healthier.