BBC Focus Magazine

[Thewestguy1]

Hi, so I am a 15 year old male, and I am very shy, and have some mild social anxiety. I never used to be shy though, the opposite in fact I would start up conversations with complete strangers, I would ask directions, advice etc. Up until the age of 12 I was very very confident and had no shame, but for some reason as I've gone into puberty I have a lot of social anxiety, so I was wondering if the amygdala becomes overactive during puberty, I know shyness is evident in a lot of teenagers...is there a particular reason for this if this is the case? If not is there another reason for social anxiety in teenagers?

[KingPhillip]

It is tough to say, as the brain is quite a complex machinery. In regards to social anxiety, it is similar to the cause and effect question of the chicken and the egg.

Is the amygdala responding to the hormones? Is the amygdala trying hard to make sense of the ramped up signalling as a result of the hormones' introductions?

There is also the venturing out on one's own without parental supervision angle. Prior to that, one's naivete in recognising deception or malevolence is safeguarded by the parents. On one's own, uncertainty could increase the amygdala's activity. And without resolution of such uncertainties, a vicious circle is created.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/20 ... 100041.htm

The above article suggests a certain perspective: the ability to assimilate the unfamiliar quickly enough and move on to other unfamiliars. And that leads to questions of genetics or environment that help or hinder such ability.

[KingPhillip]

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/20 ... 101328.htm

A biochemical perspective. And maybe explains why cannibinoids prove popular and addictive.