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It's normal for an individual to feel shy or anxious at times. Maybe, they're conscious about their looks, their weight, or they're just uncomfortable for whatever reason.
However, if that feeling has become constant and intense, that person may have a social anxiety disorder (SAD).
Social anxiety disorder is a fast-growing phenomenon that disproportionately affects the youth in particular(1).
Adolescence is the time when the development of social relations is crucial. So for young people, the perceived safety of social interactions that take place at a distance
may lead some to a spiral of withdrawal. For those anxious teens, the prospect of everyday social interactions becomes even more challenging (2).
What Is Social Anxiety Disorder?
Social anxiety disorder (SAD) or "social phobia" is a mental health condition that typically starts in childhood or adolescence. People who seek treatment
as adults have had it even before they reach their 20s. There's also a small subgroup of people who develop the condition in later life(3).
A few may describe themselves as always shy, and their apprehension only picks up when random people approach them. Some people associate social anxiety with a particular event,
whereas others may not even recall the last time they felt anxious that way(4).
People with SAD are terrified of being judged. This fear can affect a person's day-to-day activities. It can also affect relationships as the individual diagnosed with
such a condition has difficulty making and keeping friends(5).
A 2005 study has observed adults with a social anxiety disorder for extended periods. They found that such a condition is naturally ongoing in the absence of treatment(6).
The researchers reported a community study in which adults with different anxiety disorders were followed up or 12 years. At the start of the study, it was found that those
individuals suffered from social anxiety for an average of 19 years (7).
Researchers found that patients with a generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), panic disorder (PD) with agoraphobia, and social phobia had much lower probabilities of achieving
recovery over 12 years of follow-up(8) .
Signs and Symptoms of SAD
Individuals with social anxiety disorder tend to exhibit the following when in front of other people(9):
Treatment for SAD
A person showing symptoms of social anxiety disorder is often advised to see a healthcare provider first. The doctor will do an exam and ask that individual about their
health history to ensure that an underlying health problem is not causing their symptoms (10).
The clinician may refer them to a mental health specialist, such as a psychologist, psychiatrist, counselor, or clinical social worker. Generally, SAD is treated with
psychotherapy, medication, or both(11).
Psychotherapy
A type of psychotherapy known as cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) can help treat social anxiety disorder. CBT teaches a person various ways to think, behave, and react to
different situations to help them feel less fearful or anxious(12)
.
Medication
Although stressful life events are inevitable, people have the power to be in control of the situation. A traumatic experience may have pushed an individual to
succumb to worry or defeat, but social anxiety shouldn't stop them from reaching their full potential.
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Disclaimer: Internet Special Education Resources (ISER)
provides this information in an effort to help parents find local special
education professionals and resources. ISER does not recommend or endorse
any particular special education referral source, special educational methodological bias, type of special
education professional, or specific special education professional.