Supporting Teens Through Social Anxiety

Have you noticed that a teen in your life is incredibly shy? Maybe they have intense fear or anxiety around unfamiliar people or before social events. Or maybe their school performance has declined and they’ve become hyper-sensitive to criticism.  These are just some possible behavioral and emotional symptoms of social anxiety. 

Experiencing anxiety in social situations can be challenging, and there are many things you can do to help support a young person who may be struggling with it:

• Try some calming techniques – like deep breathing – together.
• Talk with the teen about what types of situations and interactions are the most challenging for them and ask specific questions about how they feel in those moments.
• Problem solve with the young person to find ways to face these fears and challenges rather than avoiding them. Help them prepare, create a plan and brainstorm ways that would make the situations easier.
• Be sure to avoid criticizing and blaming the young person for their behavior and instead focus on positive progress and making beneficial changes.

This guide to supporting teens with social anxiety is intended for parents, but it's applicable to any caring adult in a young person’s life. Follow the link to learn more about symptoms and recognizing social anxiety and how you can support young people working through it.