SOCIAL ANXIETY
IN TEENS
Social anxiety disorder, also called social phobia, is a condition that is characterized by a persistent and marked fear of social or performance situations and being scrutinized or humiliated by other people. During the teen years, the peer group becomes significantly and increasingly important, and therefore a sensitive period for this condition to emerge.¹
With social anxiety disorder, people can fear a whole range of social interactions, including:
Essentially, things that involve the individual being observed by other people can be difficult. These things can be eating or drinking in public, walking into a room when others are already seated, and performing or speaking in front of an audience. Those who suffer from this disorder fear that they’ll do or say something that they believe will be embarrassing or humiliating.
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:
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.
It’s common for teens to feel some anxiety about how others think of them. Some teens experience so much anxiety that they develop a social anxiety disorder. They worry so much about what other individuals think about them that they stop doing things they want (or need) to do because they fear they will embarrass themselves.
SAD is the third most common mental health condition following substance abuse and depression. It has an approximate 12% lifetime prevalence rate.² Anxiety disorders are common and affect approximately one out of three adolescents between the ages of 13 and 18 years old.³
Teenagers can typically hide their emotions and feelings in the beginning, and teachers and parents might not notice that there is anything wrong. SAD means that even minor things, such as eating with friends in the cafeteria or answering questions in class, can feel extremely intimidating and scary. That’s because teens worry that they may do something accidentally that’s offensive or embarrassing, and it will change what other individuals think about them.
The types of situations that can lead to SAD in teens will differ for each individual. One teen may see their friends laughing and whispering, and they may believe their friends are laughing at them. Another teen may be too afraid to ask their teacher a question out of worry that they’ll sound stupid.
Teenagers with SAD often believe everyone notices their anxiety, and that’s another thing they are embarrassed and worried about. When they are very anxious, they might hide their emotions and feelings. Or some teens may lash out, appearing aggressive or angry.
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:
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. Risk factors may include:
Social anxiety in teens can make it hard for them to function properly in regular social settings. Parents can have a hard time watching their teens struggle, but there are a number of options that can help them manage the symptoms their teens experience. Social anxiety may reach a point where some adolescents refuse to attend school. To alleviate your teenager’s discomfort and facilitate school attendance, explore school refusal interventions here.
Some ways parents can help their teens with social anxiety include:
Parents should talk with their teens to gain a better understanding of what they’re truly feeling and experiencing. Parents should also explain anxiety to their teens and why they might be feeling it. Parents should provide their teens with a safe space for them to talk and communicate openly with them about the fear and anxiety they might be experiencing.
Relaxation methods are used for various things. For instance, relaxation techniques can help to lower blood pressure, reduce heart rate, and slow rapid breathing.
This brings an individual’s body to a relaxed state rather than the individual being in the anxious and stressed state that their body was currently in. There are a number of relaxation methods teens can try, including:
Parents should work with their teens to identify different relaxation methods that seem to help. The NIH website lists several relaxation techniques that parents can try out with their teens to see which ones are most effective.⁵
This is a method that involves identifying and changing the way individuals observe certainly:
While it can be tempting for parents to shelter or overprotect their teens, it’s essential they provide their teens with experiences that will build their confidence and not allow their teens to avoid anxiety-provoking situations. Slow exposure to new social experiences can help teens feel more confident in their abilities and build their social skills. This generally involves a little bit of pushing teenagers out of their comfort zones but doing so in a measured approach. A mental health professional or therapist can help guide this, and parents’ involvement is important.
It’s essential for parents to be aware of how they’re interacting with others when their children are watching. If a parent has a shy child and they’re overprotective of them, their child will not be able to get used to new situations and people, and this can cause social anxiety. Also, parents with shy temperaments can end up setting the example accidentally of avoiding certain social situations. Parents should model good social behavior to help their kids learn how to interact socially and how to overcome their social anxiety.
SAD can make it hard for certain teenagers to make friends since they often aren’t sure how to feel safe while in social situations. Parents can help their teens learn these essential skills. They can encourage their teens to join groups or clubs that involve their interests.
Obtaining professional help is an essential way for parents to help their teens work through and overcome their social anxiety. Having a professional SAD diagnosis can provide teachers and other professionals with better ideas for helping teens. Professionals can also provide teenagers with the proper tools to help them deal with social situations better.
Living with social anxiety can frequently be debilitating for teens, but parents can help. Parents should let their teens know that they support them and will be there to help them manage their SAD symptoms. This is a crucial part of their healing.
To receive a social anxiety diagnosis, the symptoms of anxiety must show up when the teen is not just around adults but also around their peers. Their symptoms must also last for a minimum of six months.
When making a SAD diagnosis, mental health professionals frequently talk with teachers, parents, and other adults in the teen’s life.
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.
Mental health conditions can be debilitating for teenagers and impact day-to-day functioning. Anxiety, including social anxiety in teens, is a common mental health condition that frequently develops in childhood or adolescence. A mental health professional can develop a customized treatment plan for a teen’s social anxiety to help them with long-term recovery. This treatment plan can help reduce their symptoms of anxiety and provide them with tools to cope with their anxiety.
If your teen is struggling with social anxiety, contact Massachusetts Center for Adolescent Wellness (MCAW) for help. MCAW is an outpatient program for mental health that provides support and therapy to teens between the ages of 13 years old and 17 years old. We provide treatment options for an array of different mental health conditions, including social anxiety disorder. Evidence-based treatment options are combined with holistic techniques that allow us to offer adolescents and their families the best care possible. Contact us today to schedule a consultation to discuss your teen’s social anxiety and see which customized treatment approach is right for them.
Melanie Carbonneau is the Clinical Director at Massachusetts Center for Adolescent Wellness and is a licensed counselor and certified music therapist with a Ph.D. from Lesley University. She leads MCAW with a focus on holistic care, emphasizing the importance of family and community involvement in the healing process.
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Lynnfield, MA
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