Social Anxiety Disorder
The defining characteristic of social anxiety disorder—also called social phobia—is marked fear in social situations where the person is exposed to unfamiliar people or possible scrutiny by others. While the disorder bears some similarity to ordinary shyness, the symptoms are more extreme and disabling. Young people with social anxiety disorder are capable of having age appropriate relationships under certain circumstances; for instance, when visiting with a few, close friends in their own home. However, in less familiar or secure social situations, they worry excessively about possible ridicule, humiliation, or embarrassment. This anxiety can lead to severe distress or interfere with everyday activities and relationships.
Social anxiety disorder typically starts in late childhood or early adolescence. For some teens, the problem is limited to specific situations; for example, when speaking in class or eating in front of strangers. For other teens, though, it’s more generalized, leading them to avoid a whole array of social situations.
The defining characteristic of social anxiety disorder—also called social phobia—is marked fear in social situations where the person is exposed to unfamiliar people or possible scrutiny by others. While the disorder bears some similarity to ordinary shyness, the symptoms are more extreme and disabling. Young people with social anxiety disorder are capable of having age appropriate relationships under certain circumstances; for instance, when visiting with a few, close friends in their own home. However, in less familiar or secure social situations, they worry excessively about possible ridicule, humiliation, or embarrassment. This anxiety can lead to severe distress or interfere with everyday activities and relationships.
Social anxiety disorder typically starts in late childhood or early adolescence. For some teens, the problem is limited to specific situations; for example, when speaking in class or eating in front of strangers. For other teens, though, it’s more generalized, leading them to avoid a whole array of social situations.
Social Anxiety Disorder: Afraid of Embarrassment
To understand what social anxiety disorder is, it’s often helpful to think about what it isn’t. It’s not the shy, quiet disposition that comes naturally to some teens. It’s not the case of nerves that most of us get from time to time before an important event. And it’s not an imaginary condition that people can just wish away. Instead, it’s a real illness with biological underpinnings, and it causes such intense fear in social situations that it can severely limit a person’s life.
Just because a teen has social anxiety doesn’t necessarily mean he or she is socially inept. In fact, many people with the disorder are quite charming under the right circumstances. However, put them in a less familiar or comfortable situation, and they can become extremely anxious. Whether they’re standing in front of a group or blending into a crowd, people experiencing social anxiety feel as if all eyes are on them. Their anxiety centers around the fear that they’ll be judged harshly or do something to embarrass or humiliate themselves.
Just because a teen has social anxiety doesn’t necessarily mean he or she is socially inept. In fact, many people with the disorder are quite charming under the right circumstances. However, put them in a less familiar or comfortable situation, and they can become extremely anxious. Whether they’re standing in front of a group or blending into a crowd, people experiencing social anxiety feel as if all eyes are on them. Their anxiety centers around the fear that they’ll be judged harshly or do something to embarrass or humiliate themselves.
Day to Day Fears
Social anxiety disorder can be debilitating when it leads people to avoid common, everyday experiences. While such experiences may seem mundane, they help teens learn how to function comfortably in society, so missing out on them may be no trivial loss. Commonplace triggers for social anxiety include:
• Speaking to a group of people
• Arriving after others are seated
• Being introduced to strangers
• Ordering in a restaurant
• Eating or drinking in public
• Returning items to a store
• Writing in front of people
• Using a public restroom
Another group of people have generalized social anxiety, which means they feel fear in a wide range of social settings. For example, a particular teen might be afraid of talking in a group, engaging in one-on-one conversation, eating in front of other people, and going to parties. This generalized form of social anxiety disorder typically starts earlier and lasts longer than the more restricted type. It’s also more likely to be associated with social skill deficits or severe problems at school.
Red Face, Clammy Hands
When people with social anxiety disorder find themselves in one of their trigger situations, they almost always respond with intense anxiety. Some symptoms—such as blushing, clammy hands, sweating, a shaky voice, or trembling—are apparent to others. Those with the disorder may be convinced that everyone notices their distress, and that no one else ever feels that way. Less visible symptoms include a racing heart, stomachaches, diarrhea, and tense, tight muscles. Occasionally, people with social anxiety even experience full-blown panic attacks.
Most adolescents and adults are acutely aware that their fear is excessive or irrational. Yet they feel unable to control it. As a result, many spend considerable time and energy avoiding the feared situation. Others endure it, but only at the expense of great trepidation and distress. Either way, the anxiety can consume more and more of their life, getting in the way of theiractivities and relationships.
As time goes on, a vicious cycle may be established. Dread leads to poor performance, which just increases the dread. An upcoming presentation in front of the class is enough to set off waves of worry for days and keep him awake for several nights. By the time the presentation finally arrives, the teen is so nervous that he winds up stammering and blushing. This bad experience just reinforces his worst fears. The next time he’s called on to speak in class, he’s even more nervous and afraid of embarrassing himself than before.
• Speaking to a group of people
• Arriving after others are seated
• Being introduced to strangers
• Ordering in a restaurant
• Eating or drinking in public
• Returning items to a store
• Writing in front of people
• Using a public restroom
Another group of people have generalized social anxiety, which means they feel fear in a wide range of social settings. For example, a particular teen might be afraid of talking in a group, engaging in one-on-one conversation, eating in front of other people, and going to parties. This generalized form of social anxiety disorder typically starts earlier and lasts longer than the more restricted type. It’s also more likely to be associated with social skill deficits or severe problems at school.
Red Face, Clammy Hands
When people with social anxiety disorder find themselves in one of their trigger situations, they almost always respond with intense anxiety. Some symptoms—such as blushing, clammy hands, sweating, a shaky voice, or trembling—are apparent to others. Those with the disorder may be convinced that everyone notices their distress, and that no one else ever feels that way. Less visible symptoms include a racing heart, stomachaches, diarrhea, and tense, tight muscles. Occasionally, people with social anxiety even experience full-blown panic attacks.
Most adolescents and adults are acutely aware that their fear is excessive or irrational. Yet they feel unable to control it. As a result, many spend considerable time and energy avoiding the feared situation. Others endure it, but only at the expense of great trepidation and distress. Either way, the anxiety can consume more and more of their life, getting in the way of theiractivities and relationships.
As time goes on, a vicious cycle may be established. Dread leads to poor performance, which just increases the dread. An upcoming presentation in front of the class is enough to set off waves of worry for days and keep him awake for several nights. By the time the presentation finally arrives, the teen is so nervous that he winds up stammering and blushing. This bad experience just reinforces his worst fears. The next time he’s called on to speak in class, he’s even more nervous and afraid of embarrassing himself than before.
Red Flags to Watch For
Do you think your teen may be suffering from social anxiety disorder? These are some warning signs that your teen might need help:
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Social Anxiety Disorder in Adolescents
As young people move from childhood to adolescence, it’s very common for them to become preoccupied with social matters and worried about how they measure up against their friends. A little self-consciousness is to be expected. It’s only when teens experience extreme or crippling social fears on a regular basis that they may have social anxiety disorder. Typically, the disorder starts in late childhood or early adolescence. Sometimes, it begins suddenly after an embarrassing incident. But other times, there’s no obvious trigger, and the onset is gradual.
Although the precise number of people affected is unknown, it’s estimated that from 3% to 13% of Americans may have social anxiety disorder at some point in their lives. The disorder seems to strike females about twice as often as males. However, a higher proportion of males seek help for it, so the number of people getting treatment for social anxiety disorder is roughly equal between the sexes.
Although the precise number of people affected is unknown, it’s estimated that from 3% to 13% of Americans may have social anxiety disorder at some point in their lives. The disorder seems to strike females about twice as often as males. However, a higher proportion of males seek help for it, so the number of people getting treatment for social anxiety disorder is roughly equal between the sexes.