Dr David Coleman: Learn how to help your socially anxious teen to connect and make conversation
Youngsters with social anxiety disorder are afraid to mix with others as they don’t know what to talk about or fear they will be mocked for anything they do say
‘Teenage social anxiety is exacerbated by the usual heightened self-consciousness that comes with early adolescence’. Photo posed/Getty
Social anxiety seems to be on the rise, and it is the most common anxiety disorder among teenagers. Research estimates that between 9pc and 13pc of teenagers will experience social anxiety disorder (SAD). SAD is defined as “a marked fear or anxiety in one or more social situations in which the person is exposed to possible scrutiny by others.
“They fear that they will act in a way that will be humiliating, embarrassing, or they will be rejected by others…[and] the fear or avoidance interferes significantly with the person’s normal routine, occupational functioning, relationships, or social activities”.
.jpg)
