Neuroendocrinological aspects of social anxiety and aggression-related disorders

Abstract

Steroid hormones like cortisol and testosterone play an important role in the regulation of social motivational behavior. Whereas testosterone facilitates threat approach, cortisol increases threat avoidance, specifically in high socially anxious individuals. Social anxiety and aggression-related disorders show a disbalance in these steroid hormones: while social anxiety has been associated with increased cortisol stress-responses and decreased testosterone levels, aggressive psychopathologies are linked to increased testosterone levels and a decreased cortisol-testosterone ratio. This chapter explores the role of these steroid hormones, and interactions with the neuropeptide oxytocin, in social anxiety and psychopathy. Additionally, possibilities for clinical applications are discussed.