What Is Fragile X?
4. Social Interaction
In fragile X syndrome, patients often have social anxiety characterized by difficulty forming relationships with their peers, taking a prolonged time to initiate social interaction, gaze aversion, poor eye contact, and more. Social anxiety is present in up to 75% of male patients.
Affected individuals may also experience panic attacks in certain circumstances. In fragile X syndrome, it is believed that social anxiety may be attributed to their reduced ability to recognize a face. Those interested in interacting often have more empathy but may display withdrawal and anxiety when they are with unfamiliar people or places. Social anxiety in these patients can range from shyness to severe withdrawal (often due to coexisting fragile X syndrome and autism spectrum disorders).
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