<P> The DSM - IV criteria stated that an individual cannot receive a diagnosis of social anxiety disorder if their symptoms are better accounted for by one of the autism spectrum disorders such as autism and Asperger syndrome . </P> <P> Because of its close relationship and overlapping symptoms, treating people with social phobia may help to understand the underlying connections to other mental disorders . Social anxiety disorder is often linked to bipolar disorder and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and some believe that they share an underlying cyclothymic - anxious - sensitive disposition . The co-occurrence of ADHD and social phobia is very high; especially when SCT symptoms are present . </P> <P> Research into the causes of social anxiety and social phobia is wide - ranging, encompassing multiple perspectives from neuroscience to sociology . Scientists have yet to pinpoint the exact causes . Studies suggest that genetics can play a part in combination with environmental factors . Social phobia is not caused by other mental disorders or by substance abuse . Generally, social anxiety begins at a specific point in an individual's life . This will develop over time as the person struggles to recover . Eventually, mild social awkwardness can develop into symptoms of social anxiety or phobia . </P> <P> It has been shown that there is a two to threefold greater risk of having social phobia if a first - degree relative also has the disorder . This could be due to genetics and / or due to children acquiring social fears and avoidance through processes of observational learning or parental psychosocial education . Studies of identical twins brought up (via adoption) in different families have indicated that, if one twin developed social anxiety disorder, then the other was between 30 percent and 50 percent more likely than average to also develop the disorder . To some extent this' heritability' may not be specific--for example, studies have found that if a parent has any kind of anxiety disorder or clinical depression, then a child is somewhat more likely to develop an anxiety disorder or social phobia . Studies suggest that parents of those with social anxiety disorder tend to be more socially isolated themselves (Bruch and Heimberg, 1994; Caster et al., 1999), and shyness in adoptive parents is significantly correlated with shyness in adopted children (Daniels and Plomin, 1985). </P>

Fear is the main cause behind all social and individual problems who said this