Social Phobia And Anxiety In Teens: How To Get Help
It's estimated that 9.1% of teens aged 13-18 experience social phobia, and according to the National Institute Of Mental Health, 7.1% of adults have it as well. You might be wondering what the symptoms of social phobia are or if you have social anxiety disorder. Below, we’ll talk about social phobia in-depth and go over some of the ways of treating a social anxiety disorder, including online therapy for teens.
What is social phobia or social anxiety disorder?
Social phobia is also known as social anxiety disorder. It is a mental health condition characterized by extreme or overwhelming anxiety that occurs in one or more social situations. The American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic And Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) defines social anxiety as the “marked fear or anxiety about one or more social situations in which the individual is exposed to possible scrutiny by others.” Some of these situations may include social interactions, such as meeting unfamiliar people, being observed, eating in front of others, and performing or speaking in front of others.
Social phobia or social anxiety disorder: Is it the same as shyness?
This phobia is not just shyness or the occasional nervousness everyone experiences at times. Instead, social phobia can impede someone’s ability to engage in daily activities. This form of anxiety in teens is common. The average time of onset is one's teenage years; many people first experience symptoms during their childhood or teenage years. However, symptoms may begin at any time, and one can receive a diagnosis at any age or during any stage of life.
Symptoms of social anxiety disorder
Symptoms of social anxiety disorder or social phobia include the following:
- A sense of overwhelm, fear, extreme nervousness, or anxiety during social situations
- Intense fear and anxiety in anticipation of social events (anxiety prior to social events)
- Fear of embarrassment, humiliation, or judgment from others when or before socializing
- Self-consciousness and persistent negative thoughts
- Undeveloped social skills, such as misreading body language or not maintaining eye contact
- Concern about what other people thought of you after an interaction or event
- A tendency to analyze your actions after an interaction or event and to ruminate over potential flaws in what you said or did
- Avoidance of social events, interactions, and situations where you may be embarrassed, humiliated, or judged
- A tendency to cancel or say "no" to social events or interactions due to symptoms
- Trouble talking to new people or people you don't know well
- Physical symptoms, such as blushing, sweating, shaking, trembling, or experiencing gastrointestinal distress, muscle tension, and a rapid heartbeat
Those who live with social anxiety disorder may have an increased likelihood of meeting the criteria for other mental health conditions, including major depressive disorder (MDD), or other anxiety disorders, including generalized anxiety disorder (GAD).
How does social phobia impact your life?
Situations where social anxiety symptoms may be notable
- Attending work, school, or similar obligations
- Ordering food at a restaurant
- Answering the phone
- Interacting with employees at stores, shops, and similar locations
- Dating
- Making new friends
- Joining new groups or trying new activities where others are present
- Eating in public or in front of others
- Attending social events or parties
There are a variety of causes of this anxiety disorder, and it can affect different people in different ways. Difficulty with the different types of complex interactions listed above may lead to trouble attending or performing at work or school, which may impact your education or employment or cause fatigue and stress in these contexts. Some people may experience loneliness due to isolation or trouble getting to know new people. Others may miss or put off important phone calls or have difficulty getting what they need at stores and shops.
How do I know if I have social anxiety?
However, you may also want to get a physical exam from a medical doctor to ensure your physical symptoms are not linked to another health condition. If your physical exam indicates a medical condition, your doctor may prescribe medication (such as beta blockers) to help improve your physical health.
How to ease social anxiety
- Practice mindfulness.
- Take deep breaths.
- Journal your thoughts.
- Push yourself to experience more social gatherings.
- Take care of your physical health.
- Discuss your thoughts and feelings with a trusted friend or family.
Other ways to find help
Whether you're experiencing significant anxiety, depression, difficulty with personal relationships, or stress related to school or work, a counselor or therapist may be able to help. People with social anxiety disorder often find help by trying behavioral therapy or exposure therapy with a trained mental health professional or by finding support through a support group.
There are a number of different ways to find a therapist or counselor who meets your needs. You can search the web, browse a therapist directory, see what your health insurance plan covers, or sign up for a reputable online platform like BetterHelp (18+) or TeenCounseling (13-19). All of the providers on the BetterHelp and TeenCounseling platforms are licensed, and you can talk to a counselor completely online, which may be helpful if social anxiety makes it difficult to leave home. Studies show that online therapy is just as effective as in-person therapy for anxiety. Also, online therapy also tends to be more affordable than traditional in-person services without insurance.
Takeaway
Is social phobia the same as anxiety?
Social phobia is a type of anxiety disorder that is also known as social anxiety disorder. People with this disorder experience intense fear and anxiety symptoms when in social situations or during social interactions. So yes, social phobia can be thought of as the same as anxiety because it is an anxiety disorder that is triggered by specific situations.
What does social anxiety look like?
Social anxiety looks very similar to other anxiety disorders, except the symptoms arise during social situations. According to the National Institute Of Mental Health, some of the common signs and symptoms of social anxiety in a person include:
- Experiencing a persistent fear in social situations
- Blushing, sweating, or trembling
- Increased heart rate and high blood pressure
- Feeling sick to their stomach
- Experience their mind going blank
- Struggling to make eye contact
- Rigid body posture
- Being self-conscious when interacting with others
- Exhibiting poor social skills and extreme shyness
- Avoiding public places and social situations
At what age does social anxiety begin?
People typically develop social anxiety disorder (also called social phobia) in childhood or adolescence. Though there are many risk factors for developing social anxiety disorder, such as environmental factors, an overactive amygdala, and family history, adolescents are at greater risk due to societal pressures, peer pressure, and the greater likelihood of being judged negatively by their peers. However, it is important to know that people with social anxiety disorder may experience or develop it at any point in their life. Therefore, young adults who do not experience social anxiety are not necessarily immune to social anxiety later in life.
Can social phobias be cured?
The good news is that social phobia is a treatable mental health condition. Unfortunately, according to the Anxiety and Depression Association Of America, only 5% of people with social anxiety disorders seek treatment. This could be due to their symptoms and fear response preventing them from talking to a health professional about their concerns, or they may try to convince themselves that they don’t have a problem. However, social anxiety disorders are very real psychiatric disorders that may worsen if left untreated. Some people who do not seek treatment turn to unhealthy behaviors, such as substance abuse, to cope with their feelings, but these behaviors can worsen anxiety.
Mental health treatment for social phobias
So how is it treated? Research shows that talk therapy is the best treatment for social phobia. This disorder can improve significantly with various modalities of therapy, including those used in both group therapy and individual therapy settings. Modalities of therapy that help with social anxiety include but aren't limited to cognitive behavioral therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), and exposure therapy. Many people also find treatment and help through support groups and other forms of behavioral therapy.
However, there are other treatment options for social anxiety disorder. Clinical trials have shown that medication options like beta blockers, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) were successful in reducing anxious feelings when used to treat social anxiety disorder. Though some of these medications are primarily used to treat depression, many clinical trials have shown they are effective for social anxiety disorders as well. If you are experiencing social anxiety and are looking for treatment options, talk to a psychiatrist to see if medication is a good treatment method for you.
Is shyness a social phobia?
Shyness is not the same as social phobia. Experts recognize that social phobia and social anxiety disorder are not synonymous with or the same as being shy. Someone with an anxiety disorder such as social anxiety disorder may be shy or consider themselves shy in addition to living with the condition, but with social anxiety disorder or social phobia, symptoms can be severe and may have serious impacts on a person's life. Therefore, if you are experiencing just shyness or struggle with social skills, you don’t necessarily have social phobia.
If you're struggling with socializing, social relationships, or social anxiety in any way, therapy or counseling can be advantageous.
Should I go to mental health therapy for social anxiety?
Therapy is a leading and highly recommended treatment for social anxiety. Research looking at cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for social anxiety shows that brief CBT is an effective treatment, with participants showing clinically significant improvement. Social anxiety can impact a person's life in serious ways, and it can be truly debilitating, but it doesn't have to stay that way. Getting help is imperative for those who are struggling, and it can be life-changing once you find the right care. Remember that if the first therapist you see isn't a good fit, you can switch or change providers.
What is the root cause of social anxiety?
A lot of people wonder what causes social anxiety. There are a number of biological and environmental factors that can contribute to the development of social anxiety, and there is no singular root cause that's true across the board. Factors that may increase the likelihood that someone will have social anxiety disorder include but aren't limited to:
- Family history or genetics. Having a family member with social anxiety disorder raises the risk pretty significantly. Those with a family history of social anxiety disorder are said to be 2-6 times more likely to live with it themselves.
- Temperament and personal history. It's said that those who are more timid might face a higher likelihood of social anxiety, and your personal mental health history may also play a role.
- Negative experiences. These may include but aren't limited to bullying, harassment, feeling othered, and having a specific feature or difference pointed out by peers.
Trauma and social isolation are other possible risk factors. If you are struggling with various concerns - for example, trauma and social anxiety - you can address both in therapy. Often, various stressors and things that impact your mental health affect each other, and they can all be addressed with the help of a licensed professional therapist or counselor. Therapy is a place where you can express your struggles and unique experiences as an individual in a non-judgemental setting. Struggling with mental health does not mean that you're broken, and anything you face that may have contributed to the development of social phobia is not your fault.
Additionally, those with a first-degree blood relative who has the disorder are anywhere from two to six times more likely to experience Social Anxiety Disorder.
What are examples of social phobias?
Someone with a social anxiety disorder experiences anxiety in situations where they feel like they are being judged or evaluated by others. Some people may experience anxiety related to public speaking or performing on a stage. For others, symptoms may be related to social situations, like answering a question in class, talking to a waiter, or going on a date. For some people with this chronic mental health condition, the anxiety may be so severe that they cannot work, go to school, or function in their daily lives.
Is social phobia normal?
Many people may feel anxious or nervous in certain social situations, like when making a speech or performing in public. However, social phobia is a mental health condition that can significantly impact someone’s ability to function and lead to a decreased quality of life.
How is social anxiety disorder diagnosed? According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, multiple conditions must be met to diagnose social anxiety disorder. These include a marked, persistent anxiety about social situations where they may be scrutinized by others that lasts at least six months and involves a fear of being negatively evaluated by others. In addition, all of the following factors should be present:
- The same social situations nearly always trigger anxiety
- The person actively avoids situations that cause anxiety
- The fear is out of proportion to the threat
- The fear and/or avoidance of that fear causes significant social impairment or distress
These symptoms must also not be better explained by another mental health condition.
How many types of social phobias are there?
The DSM-5 includes a performance-only specifier for people who only experience intense performance anxiety. Although not listed as part of the official diagnosis for this condition, the term specific social phobia may be used when social anxiety applies to a certain situation, like using public restrooms or eating in public.
What is the most common social phobia?
A fear of public speaking is often considered to be the most common social phobia, with some estimates saying it affects 77% of the general population.
How do you stop social phobia?
Appropriate treatment can help people learn to manage social anxiety disorder. How is social anxiety disorder treated? The most common treatments for social anxiety disorders are psychotherapy, medication, or a combination of the two.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is commonly used to treat social anxiety disorder. It teaches people how to identify and change unhelpful thoughts and behaviors which can help people feel less anxious. Exposure therapy is a type of CBT that can also be used to treat social anxiety disorder. This type of therapy focuses on progressively confronting the activities that the person is afraid of and learning relaxation techniques to manage anxiety.
Multiple types of medications can be used to treat social anxiety disorder as well, including antidepressants, anti-anxiety medication, and beta-blockers. Benzodiazepines can also be used to quickly reduce anxiety symptoms, but some people can build up a tolerance to them and require higher and higher doses or even become dependent on them. Some healthcare professionals may only prescribe them for short periods of time.
How serious is social phobia?
The physiological symptoms of social anxiety disorder can significantly impact a person’s life. Symptoms of this condition exist on a spectrum, and for some, it can be debilitating. Some research also shows that social anxiety disorder can contribute to the development of other conditions, including major depression and substance abuse.
How do I make friends with social phobia?
Appropriate treatment for social phobia, including medication and psychotherapy, can help people feel more comfortable in social situations. There are also group programs that can help with socialization. The American Psychiatric Association recommends the Program for the Education and Enrichment of Relational Skills (PEERS), which includes “age-appropriate strategies for developing social skills for positive social interactions and learning how to respond to problematic social situations.”
Is social phobia a fear?
Social anxiety can be described as a fear, but it is more than a short-lived anxiety. Social anxiety is an overwhelming and long-term fear that can impact various aspects of a person’s professional and personal life.
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