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Hangxiety Higher in Shy People
Significance
- Shy individuals tend to feel more anxious after drinking.
- Extroverts generally experience less anxiety post-drinking compared to shy people.
- Night of drinking amplifies anxiety in shy individuals more.
- Researchers find shy drinkers face higher anxiety levels.
- Post-drinking anxiety affects shy people more than extroverts.
A new research shows that very shy people are more likely to suffer “hangxiety” – anxiety during a hangover – than their extrovert companions.
Researchers found that shy individuals experience higher anxiety after a night of drinking compared to more extroverted people. This suggests that shy individuals often experience increased anxiety following alcohol-induced relaxation, highlighting how personality affects hangxiety.
In a study of 100 social drinkers, six units of alcohol slightly reduced anxiety in highly shy individuals. However, the next day, a significant increase in anxiety, known as “hangxiety,” overshadowed the temporary relaxation. The research highlights that while alcohol might offer short-term relief from anxiety for shy individuals, it often results in a heightened state of anxiety the following day, emphasizing the complex relationship between alcohol consumption and emotional well-being in socially anxious individuals.
Hangxiety and AUD: How Shyness Links to Increased Drinking Risks
Researchers examined participants at home, randomly assigning them to drink or stay sober. They conducted standard assessments of shyness, social phobia, and alcohol use disorder (AUD). They measured anxiety levels in the evening and again the following morning to capture any changes. This design enabled researchers to compare alcohol’s immediate and next-day effects on anxiety, shyness, and social phobia.
University of Exeter and UCL researchers found a strong link between “hangxiety” and higher AUDIT scores in shy individuals. The AUDIT test showed that those with significant hangxiety scored higher, indicating a higher risk of alcohol use disorder. This suggests that individuals with high shyness who experience pronounced hangxiety are more likely to have problematic drinking behaviors. The study underscores the impact of alcohol on emotional well-being and highlights the need for targeted support for socially anxious individuals who may be at risk of developing alcohol use disorders.
These observations also suggest that hangxiety in turn might be associated with people’s chance of developing a problem with alcohol.
References
Image: Unsplash
Contact: Beth Marsh, University College of London
Source: University of Exeter
