| Often regarded as the most unrecognized mental | | | | You know it; teens will spend hours on the phone, go |
| disorder in teens, social anxiety disorder can take | | | | to parties, or hang out after school. Most teens will be |
| many forms and manifest itself differently per person. | | | | part of a large group or at least have a couple of |
| Most parents and adults dismiss symptoms as merely | | | | friends. But teens with social phobia often isolate |
| shyness or teen angst that their children will eventually | | | | themselves from other people or minimize contact. |
| outgrow. However, social phobia, as the disorder is | | | | They would rather attend class without homework |
| sometimes called, can grow worse if left untreated | | | | than ask a classmate about it. They often have trouble |
| and be debilitating over time. Recognizing social phobia | | | | making eye contact, initiating or joining conversations, |
| in teens is crucial for their transition to adulthood and | | | | and being part of school organizations. |
| you, as adults and parents, have the responsibility of | | | | 4. Check your child's confidence level. |
| ensuring that they get help. Here are several ways of | | | | Most teens suffering from social phobia often doubt if |
| recognizing symptoms of social phobia in teens: | | | | they are good enough for other people or worry |
| 1. Look out for extreme shyness or discomfort in your | | | | excessively about how others see them. Their fear of |
| child when put in the center of attention. | | | | being ridiculed, boring, or rejected are basic in their |
| First-time performers normally get stage fright but | | | | minds and they often look for signs of negative |
| excessive discomfort, passivity, or inactivity when put | | | | perception in others. This negative attitude towards |
| on the spotlight should merit further investigation. | | | | meeting other people are so pervasive in their minds |
| Although most people will attribute this situation to most | | | | that it can lead to low self-esteem and inferiority |
| teenagers' fear of embarrassing themselves in front of | | | | complex. |
| their peers, do not be complacent. Talk to your child | | | | 5. Take note of your child's reaction to social situations. |
| about why he or she was unable to perform. Just | | | | People suffering from social phobia exhibit physical |
| remember to avoid using an accusatory tone to | | | | symptoms as well, especially if they are in a social |
| prevent putting your child on the defensive. | | | | situation like family gatherings or school functions. Signs |
| 2. Observe your child's academic performance. | | | | to look out for include diarrhea, nausea, excessive |
| When your straight-A child starts bringing home B or | | | | sweating, heart palpitations, and shortness of breath. If |
| C-graded homework and exams, you immediately | | | | your teen experiences any of these symptoms during |
| worry that something is wrong. But social phobia is not | | | | or prior to a social event, he or she may be reacting to |
| that obvious. In fact, social phobia leaves little clues like | | | | social phobia. |
| hesitance to recite in class, fear of being asked to | | | | If your teen exhibit all or any of these symptoms, take |
| report, or even downright refusing to be part of class | | | | him or her to a psychologist for a consultation and |
| activities. If possible, talk to your child's teacher about | | | | thorough examination. Chances are high that your child |
| these matters and ask him or her to inform you if your | | | | knows that his or her reactions to social activities are |
| child exhibits these behaviors. | | | | irrational but does not know where to ask for help. |
| 3. Keep track of your child's friends or lack thereof. | | | | |