How to Parent Teens With Social Anxiety

How to Parent Teens With Social Anxiety Social Anxiety Disorder Coping Print How to Parent Teens With Social Anxiety By Arlin Cuncic Arlin Cuncic, MA, is the author of Therapy in Focus: What to Expect from CBT for Social Anxiety Disorder and 7 Weeks to Reduce Anxiety. Learn about our editorial policy Arlin Cuncic Medically reviewed by Medically reviewed by Steven Gans, MD on August 05, 2016 Steven Gans, MD is board-certified in psychiatry and is an active supervisor, teacher, and mentor at Massachusetts General Hospital. Learn about our Medical Review Board Steven Gans, MD Updated on October 12, 2019 Social Anxiety Disorder Overview Symptoms & Diagnosis Causes Treatment Living With In Children Mixmike / Getty Images If youre the parent of a teen with social anxiety disorder (SAD), it can be hard to know how best to help him or her cope. In addition to helping your child obtain a proper diagnosis and effective treatment, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and/or medication, there are a number of steps that you can take to help your teen on a daily basis. Expose Your Teen to Social Situations Although it may be tempting to be overprotective or to shelter your adolescent, its important to provide her with confidence-building experiences and to not let him avoid situations that make him anxious. Gradual exposure to new social experiences will help her build social skills and feel more confident in her abilities. This will inherently involve some pushing beyond his comfort zone, but that should, of course, be approached in a measured way. A therapist can guide this, and your involvement as a parent is key. If you have a younger teenager, be sure to give her the opportunity to speak for herself in situations such as ordering in a restaurant or asking for movie tickets. Be sure to offer praise and rewards when your teen faces feared social situations. Pick a Goal Have your teen pick a realistic goal, such as joining a club or team or making a new friend, and work with her to take steps to achieve it. For instance, he could go to a club meeting and listen in before joining or you and he could walk over to the new neighbors house together and invite them over to visit. Building positive experiences and practicing  social interaction will help boost your teens confidence. Make Sure Your Teen Relaxes When you have an anxiety disorder, its particularly important to have time to relax and unwind, to take a break from the anxiousness. Encourage your teen to exercise and participate in activities that she finds relaxing, such as drawing, painting, playing an instrument, yoga, journaling, or crafts. This will also help him be able to better manage his anxiety. Panic Disorder and Anxiety in Teens Dont Give Your Teen Special Treatment Treat your teen the same as you would any child and keep your expectations the same, though you may need to be a little more flexible sometimes. Try to find activities at which she excels so she can build confidence and have her help out around the house so she feels like shes contributing to the family. Listen and Offer Advice If your teenager is comfortable talking to you about his feelings, listen carefully and offer advice. Let her know that feeling nervous sometimes is normal for all teenagers. Remind him of how he has coped well in the past with difficult situations, and let him know that you have confidence in his ability to cope. When to Get HelpIf your teenager is suffering from extreme social anxiety that greatly impairs her daily functioning, has stopped her from attending school, or has posed a danger of self-harm or suicide, its important to seek professional help immediately. Call your mental health care practitioner or your doctor.