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According to the National Institute of Mental Health, almost 10% of teens in the US struggle with social anxiety. This is a feeling of psychological and physical stress that occurs when socializing, communicating, and interacting with others [1]. Social anxiety can impact several areas of a teen’s life. They may struggle with face-to-face interactions, giving presentations in class, going to job interviews, and even answering the phone. This can make it difficult for teens to connect with others and manage their relationships. Read on to understand more about social anxiety disorder in teens, how to recognize the warning signs, and strategies to support a teen with social anxiety.
What is Social Anxiety Disorder?
Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD) is a type of anxiety disorder that causes physical and mental distress in social or group settings. It differs from Generalized Anxiety Disorder in that there is a clear cause or trigger, specifically related to social situations and interacting with others. Some parents may think their teen simply doesn’t like to talk to people, however, this is not always the case. Extroverted teens may enjoy socializing but still struggle with social anxiety. SAD can occur on its own or alongside other mental health conditions. For example, teens with social anxiety may isolate themselves, which can lower their self-esteem and lead to depression. According to the DSM-5, the criteria to be diagnosed with social anxiety disorder include [2]:- Fear of feeling judged or humiliated
- Chronic, intense feelings of anxiety about social situations or group settings
- The anxiety interferes with daily functioning
- The anxiety is not explained by a medical condition or substance abuse
Warning Signs of Social Anxiety in Teens
Sometimes, social anxiety can be difficult to recognize. Teens with SAD may be perceived as loners, awkward, or even rude. Some symptoms may be similar to generalized anxiety or other mental health problems but are triggered by a social setting. Warning signs of social anxiety in teens include:- Avoiding social situations, new places, or meeting new people
- Struggling to participate in class or with work
- Anxious in crowds, events, parties, or group conversations
- Social withdrawal and isolation
- Avoiding eye contact
- Muscle tension
- Dizziness, blurry vision, or headaches
- Shaking or sweating
- Increased heart rate or tightness in the chest
How To Support Your Teen with Social Anxiety
Parents can play a significant role in helping their teens with social anxiety overcome challenges and cope positively. Some of the ways you can support your teen include:- Actively listen and validate their struggles. Remind them that it’s okay to be anxious and that they aren’t alone. Avoid using dismissive statements such as “Get over it” or “Just calm down.”
- Establish a healthy routine and ensure your teen is getting enough sleep, eating nutritious meals, and engaging in regular exercise. This can help manage their stress levels and boost their overall well-being.
- Monitor your teens’ social media use. Spending excessive amounts of time online can contribute to social anxiety [3]. Encourage healthy digital habits and educate them about the impact social media can have on their mental health.
- Help them build a support network of friends, family, teachers, or coaches that they can talk to when they are feeling anxious or struggling with their mental health.
- Demonstrate healthy social behaviors by modeling positive social interactions, engaging in healthy conversations, and fostering meaningful connections.
5 Tips for Teens With Social Anxiety
For teens with social anxiety, the high school years can feel extra challenging. Navigating relationships with peers, going through transitions, and coping with academic expectations can be overwhelming. Although social anxiety won’t go away overnight, there are several ways that teens can manage symptoms and overcome their social anxiety so it doesn’t control their lives.Practice Breathing Exercises
Social anxiety can trigger physical stress responses, causing symptoms such as dizziness, increased heart rate, and feeling disoriented. When we feel anxious, it puts our body into “fight or flight mode.” This also speeds up our breathing, which can cause shortness of breath, dizziness, and in severe cases, induce a panic attack. Simple breathing exercises can help relax the nervous system and decrease the physical symptoms of social anxiety. Encourage your teen to close their eyes and take slow, deep breaths, counting to 10 when exhaling and releasing tension in the mind and body.Face Challenges Head-on
Sometimes, the best way for teens to reduce feelings of social anxiety is by facing their fears head-on. Teens with social anxiety disorder tend to avoid situations that make them stressed or uncomfortable. By increasing their exposure to social situations, little by little, their fear will have less control over them. This is known as desensitization. Desensitization is used by cognitive behavioral therapists to help teens with social anxiety learn in-the-moment coping skills by being exposed to difficult or triggering situations. This is practiced through repetition, patience, and support. Although it won’t take away social anxiety completely, it can help teens build the confidence that they can overcome feelings of anxiety in social situations [4].Join A Support Group
Encourage your teen to join a support group and help them find one that focuses on social anxiety. Being surrounded by peers who are experiencing similar struggles can help them feel less alone and provide a support system to overcome anxiety. Teens may learn helpful coping skills to reduce stress and participate in guided activities that can help increase their confidence during anxiety-inducing situations.Have Patience
It’s important for teens to practice patience when it comes to managing symptoms of their anxiety. Remember, healing doesn’t happen overnight. The more your teen exposes themselves to challenging situations, the more routine it will become. Help your teen think through and even write down possible triggering situations. Then, build a game plan about what they can do in the present when confronted with those triggers. This will slowly build up their tolerance to anxiety and give them the confidence to face their fears.Mindfulness-Based Activities
Participating in positive activities that promote mindfulness, such as yoga, dance, music, art, meditation, or journaling, can help teens reduce stress and become more aware of how their bodies physically react to mental distress and anxiety.Mental Health Treatment for Teen Anxiety in Texas
At Clearfork Academy, our team of licensed mental health professionals understands the complex nature of anxiety disorders in teens. We offer comprehensive treatments to help teens build coping skills that increase successful recovery outcomes. Contact our admissions team today to see how we can support your teen.Sources
[1] Social Anxiety Disorder. 2019. National Institute of Health. [2] Social anxiety in young people: A prevalence study. 2020. National Library of Medicine. [3] Social Media and Adolescents’ and Young Adults’ Mental Health. 2020. National Center for Health Research. [4] Systematic Desensitization. 2010. Science Direct.
Originally from the Saginaw, Eagle Mountain area, Austin Davis earned a Bachelor of Science in Pastoral Ministry from Lee University in Cleveland, TN and a Master of Arts in Counseling from The Church of God Theological Seminary. He then went on to become a Licensed Professional Counselor-Supervisor in the State of Texas.
Austin’s professional history includes both local church ministry and clinical counseling. At a young age, he began serving youth at the local church in various capacities which led to clinical training and education. Austin gained a vast knowledge of mental health disorders while working in state and public mental health hospitals. This is where he was exposed to almost every type of diagnosis and carries this experience into the daily treatment.
Austin’s longtime passion is Clearfork Academy, a christ-centered residential facility focused on mental health and substance abuse. He finds joy and fulfillment working with “difficult” clients that challenge his heart and clinical skill set. It is his hope and desire that each resident that passes through Clearfork Academy will be one step closer to their created design.
Austin’s greatest pleasures in life are being a husband to his wife, and a father to his growing children. He serves at his local church by playing guitar, speaking and helping with tech arts. Austin also enjoys being physically active, reading, woodworking, and music.
