Social anxiety in teens can negatively affect their daily lives. It can manifest itself in various ways, such as feeling self-conscious and anxious in front of others, avoiding social interactions or having difficulty speaking to unfamiliar people.
The impact of social anxiety on teenagers goes beyond feeling shy or nervous. It can have serious consequences on their mental health and development. In this section, we will explore some of the ways social anxiety can affect teens and offer tips on how to cope with it. At Massachusetts Center for Adolescent Wellness, our anxiety treatment for adolescents can help your teen reach their full potential. Call 855.940.6229 today to learn more.
Signs of Social Anxiety in Teens
Parents that notice their teens struggling socially should understand that there may be a chance that they’re struggling with social anxiety disorder. Being able to spot the signs of this mental health condition is the initial step parents can take to help their teens obtain the necessary help.
Some signs parents should look out for that could indicate SAD include:
- Trouble having “normal” conversations with and/or talking to other people
- Anxiety about being around other individuals, particularly those they don’t know
- Fear of being embarrassed
- Feeling self-conscious or uncomfortable around other people
- Fear of being judged by other people
- Feeling embarrassment when interacting with others
- Self-criticism or judgment following social interactions
- Difficulty maintaining relationships or making friends
- Worry excessively for days or weeks prior to a public event
- Sweating, blushing, rapid heartbeat, or shaking when in social situations
- Avoidance of social situations and/or public places
- Nausea and stomach ache due to being around other individuals, or other physical symptoms like diarrhea, confusion, and muscle tension
Every teenager with SAD will experience these types of symptoms (or the same level of severity). While these symptoms are often very significant and can impair functioning in various ways, SAD is treatable. If you’re worried your child could have anxiety, take our parent quiz, an anxiety test for teens, to better understand your child’s behavior.
What Causes Social Anxiety in Teens?
It’s natural for parents to hope their children grow up feeling comfortable and self-assured in their own skin since characteristics like these are some of the most important when it comes to teens achieving an overall sense of well-being and thriving socially. Sadly, there are many children who grow up and become socially anxious teens. This may occur for various reasons, and there are a number of factors that contribute to a teenager’s social anxiety.
As with most mental health conditions, SAD isn’t attributed to one cause. Even so, there are specific factors that can increase an individual’s chances of developing a social anxiety disorder, including:
- Brain chemistry
- Genetics
- Trauma
This means teens that have chemical brain imbalances, first-degree family history, or have experienced trauma or long-term stress might have a greater risk of receiving a social anxiety disorder diagnosis.
SAD tends to emerge in adolescence. Mental health specialists have explored other risk factors for the adolescent population because of this trend.
Treatment Options for Social Anxiety
Social anxiety treatment, similar to any anxiety treatment, often involves medication, psychotherapy, or a combination of both. A SAD treatment plan is usually based on the frequency and severity of symptoms.
1. Medications
Medication is frequently prescribed to teens who struggle with SAD, particularly if SAD is affecting their functioning significantly. Overall, medication for anxiety targets the emotional control center of the brain and helps with circuits functioning more efficiently. Various medications, in combination with therapy, might be prescribed to teens with SAD.
2. Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy
The most common treatment approach for social anxiety in teens is cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) which is actually common for most anxiety disorders in general. CBT is usually goal-oriented and short-term. For teenagers with SAD, this approach of psychotherapy targets the teen’s unhealthy behaviors and thinking patterns that drive their social anxiety and offers the skills and tools for them to choose healthier behaviors and manage their thoughts. CBT also helps teenagers with social anxiety disorder to understand the connection between their feelings, behaviors, and thoughts.
3. Exposure Therapy
While exposure therapy isn’t as common as CBT, it can still be an effective approach for teenagers with SAD. This treatment approach gradually exposes teens to their fears (while it keeps them safe) and, at the same time, teaches them helpful strategies to manage their fears. It’s based on the belief that the more teens encounter their fears, the less scary their fears become. Exposure therapy also teaches teens that they can still fear something but are able to do it anyway.
4. Dialectical Behavior Therapy
Dialectical behavior therapy is designed to stop teens from acting on distressing feelings or from trying to hurt themselves by teaching them healthy coping skills. It’s a technique that teaches teens safe and better ways to manage their emotions. The whole family is included in the treatment process, making dialectical behavior therapy a comprehensive treatment approach.
DBT combines CBT and mindfulness treatments. Mental health specialists use this treatment approach to manage a teen’s strong emotions that could result in a lack of stability. is an evidence-based treatment option to manage an individual’s emotional dysregulation and mental health.
Call MCAW Today
Contact Massachusetts Center for Adolescent Wellness (MCAW) by calling 855.940.6229 or reaching out online. We can help your teen feel more comfortable in social situations and offer support for managing their symptoms.
