Helping Teens with Social Anxiety Prepare for Back to School

By Antoinette Peterson

Social anxiety can be hard to manage at any age, but it can be especially hard on teenagers. After summer break, teens with social anxiety may have a hard time readjusting to all the additional social exposure that comes with the school year. In this blog post, we will discuss a few ways to prepare your teen to manage their anxiety, practice resilience in social situations, and notice when they may need space to rest after a social experience.

What is Social Anxiety? 

Anxiety disorders are one of the most common mental health issues in the US — and it doesn’t just impact adults. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, anxiety impacts roughly 7 percent of kids and teens aged 3-17. Social anxiety is a more prevalent form of anxiety, impacting more than 9 percent of young adults. Social anxiety is defined as having “intense, persistent fear of being watched and judged by others.” While certain cases are more severe than others, social anxiety can have a negative impact on numerous aspects of a teen’s life including their relationships, school performance, and overall wellbeing.

Helping your teen manage their anxiety

The return to school following summer break can be an enormous trigger for your teen’s social anxiety. The shift in schedule, coupled with more frequent social exposure and opportunities to engage with peers, can lead to a sharp increase in social anxiety. You can help your teen manage their anxiety by checking in often, listening more, and reminding them that it’s okay to not have everything figured out. Parents can also normalize seeking help, as for some teens it could be highly beneficial to speak with a licensed therapist. 

Practicing resilience

As the school year progresses, your teenager may encounter even more situations that increase their anxiety. Building resilience is critical to ensuring they are able to cope with their anxiety, and also be more engaged in their learning at school. You can teach your  child to use relaxation strategies or other coping mechanisms while either at or after school. Things like breathing exercises or journaling can calm their nervous system and bring them peace of mind. Additionally, you can help your teen recognize when they are overwhelmed or anxious so that they can know when it’s time to step away and take a breather. Finally, social media can be an enormous trigger for social anxiety. Talk to your teen about their screen time and consider working with them to limit use. 

How New Perspective can help

Beyond social anxiety, there is a lot to manage in adolescence: physical changes, increased academic expectations and more complex peer relationships all while trying to become increasingly independent. Stress can lead to social withdrawal, irritability, or acting out behaviors in even the most well-adjusted teen. However, if it seems like your teen does not bounce back from setbacks or these symptoms persist, therapy can help. Parents have a front-row seat to their sons and daughters’ lives and moods so if you are concerned that your teen is struggling with a mental health issue then there is a good chance they are. 

At New Perspective Counseling, your adolescent will meet with one of our caring and skilled therapists who will create a comfortable and safe space for them so they can:

• Talk about the sometimes-painful experiences around adolescence
• Learn to manage a range of emotions and healthy ways of processing and expressing them.
• Develop skills for coping with disappointments, conflict and stress that are part of life.
• Learn tools to improve self-esteem and self-awareness that will help him or her to build a more positive outlook and life.

Click here to make an appointment today.