Social Anxiety & the Loneliness Epidemic

In Episode 14, Preston and Margaret dive into social anxiety disorder and the loneliness epidemic. From embarrassing childhood memories to awkward club encounters, they explore how social anxiety shows up in everyday life and how it differs from normal nerves. They also discuss the surgeon general’s definition of loneliness, the role of social media in increasing perceived judgment, and the neuroscience behind facial recognition, fear responses, and serotonin's impact on the amygdala. Takeaways: Social Anxiety Is More Than Shyness: It becomes a disorder when it causes persistent distress, distorted perceptions of judgment, and leads to avoidance of meaningful activities. Loneliness Is Subjective—and Epidemic: According to the U.S. Surgeon General, loneliness stems not just from solitude but from perceived lack of meaningful connection, and it has major mental and physical health consequences. Social Media Can Amplify Anxiety: Being constantly seen—and judged—online may intensify social anxiety, even for those who appear confident or well-known. Your Brain Is Wired to Care: Structures like the amygdala, insula, and anterior cingulate cortex play key roles in social fear, facial recognition, and rejection sensitivity—and they’re all modifiable with therapy and medication. Healing Is Gradual and Personal: CBT, SSRIs, and compassionate exposure therapy can retrain the brain’s fear circuits—but treatment must match the individual’s goals, beliefs, and readiness for change. Watch on YouTube: @itspresro Listen Anywhere You Podcast: Apple, Spotify, PodChaser, etc. — Produced by Dr Glaucomflecken & Human Content Get in Touch: howtobepatientpod.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices