Social anxiety disorder (SAD) is an "intense, persistent fear of being scrutinized and negatively evaluated by others in social or performance situations." (Anxiety Disorders Association of America) It is often diagnosed in adolescence and teens with SAD are consistently worried about doing something "stupid" or embarrassing in public. Besides impacting school performance, social anxiety disorder frequently gets in the way of making friends and maintaining friendships, which are so important during the teen years.
Why Friendship Matters
Friends, and friendship, are an essential part of growing up. As young children, we develop friendship based on our neighborhood, our classmates and our activities. As teens, friends are chosen based on an emotional connection. As teens branch out and seek independence from their parents, it is their friends they rely on for emotional support.
Friendship during the teen years helps to teach relationship skills. Where early friendships may have revolved around playing together, older friendships are more based on an emotional need and the give and take teen learn from these friendships will continue into adult relationships. It is during these years and these friendships, teens learn how to relate to the opposite sex and how to enjoy healthy relationships.
Friends also show "social status" to one another. The friends you choose play a vital part in how you are defined by others, especially during the high school years. Cliques are commonplace and most teens will gravitate toward a certain group of people they feel comfortable with. There is security in belonging to a group of friends.
Social Anxiety Disorder in Teens
For those with social anxiety disorder, life can be lonely. Teens with SAD may have only a few friends or none at all. They may feel isolated and alone.
Teens with social anxiety disorder may have difficulty:
- Eating in front of other people
- Using a public bathroom
- Meeting new people
- Talking to classmates
- Inviting friends to activities or to their home
- Attending social events
- Dating
- Expressing their opinion
- Working with others
- Speaking in front of other people
Because of these difficulties, teens may miss out on opportunities to develop not only friendships but the skills they will need later to create healthy relationships.
How Parents Can Help
Treatment is available for SAD. Parents concerned about their teen should talk with their doctor and request a referral to a specialist to find out more about therapy, self-help and medication. A mental health professional can complete an evaluation and discuss the different options as well as help in deciding what type of treatment would be best for their teen.
In addition, there are ways parents can support their teen at home:
Teach your child about social anxiety disorder
It is important for both you and your teen to understand what anxiety is and what social anxiety disorder is. It may help your teen to know that he or she is not the only person feeling this way and there are treatments and tools that can help to minimize and manage the symptoms of anxiety. Learning about anxiety is the first step toward managing symptoms.
