{"id":1754,"date":"2021-07-28T09:47:44","date_gmt":"2021-07-28T09:47:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/worldwide-pediatrics\/?p=1754"},"modified":"2021-08-03T09:56:52","modified_gmt":"2021-08-03T09:56:52","slug":"how-to-help-your-child-with-social-anxiety","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/worldwide-pediatrics\/how-to-help-your-child-with-social-anxiety\/","title":{"rendered":"How To Help Your Child With Social Anxiety"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Social phobia or social anxiety disorder is more than just shy behavior. Whether you have noticed your child suffering from anxiety shaking or irregular behavior, you should seek professional help with us for social anxiety in children. There is a big difference in shyness vs. social anxiety. Social anxiety can result in paralyzed feelings when children try to perform daily activities. It can hinder their ability to excel in school, sports, hobbies, and day-to-day life.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">If you\u2019re wondering, \u201cHow to help a teenager with anxiety,\u201d you\u2019ve come to the right place. We know all about <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/worldwide-pediatrics\/developmental-screening-delay-treatment-plantation-florida\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><b>social anxiety in children<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">. Helping teens with anxiety can be done. There are certain coping strategies parents can teach to help ease social anxiety in their teenager.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>Shyness vs. Social Anxiety<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Social anxiety disorder goes beyond experiencing basic nerves while interacting with others. It is also much more than a fear of meeting new people or making new friends. The disorder is characterized by an intense fear that can be hard to describe to those who have not felt it for themselves.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The intense fear can take over your child\u2019s mind when they face social interactions, and even while they just think about them, particularly an upcoming event. Social anxiety in children can make children want to avoid occurrences or situations where they have to interact with others. With teamwork and interactions at the core of school, work, sports, and many hobbies, it can be miserable for teenagers with a social anxiety disorder to cope during their daily life.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The disorder can even translate to alone time when thinking about future interactions takes over their mind. Whereas shy children may have a hard time at first, they can usually adapt and be comfortable with others in a reasonable time.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-1756 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/worldwide-pediatrics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/32\/2021\/08\/Shyness-vs.-Social-Anxiety.jpg\" alt=\"Sad Preteen Boy Sitting Alone in Chair Facing Wall\" width=\"1000\" height=\"429\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/worldwide-pediatrics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/32\/2021\/08\/Shyness-vs.-Social-Anxiety-200x86.jpg 200w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/worldwide-pediatrics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/32\/2021\/08\/Shyness-vs.-Social-Anxiety-300x129.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/worldwide-pediatrics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/32\/2021\/08\/Shyness-vs.-Social-Anxiety-400x172.jpg 400w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/worldwide-pediatrics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/32\/2021\/08\/Shyness-vs.-Social-Anxiety-600x257.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/worldwide-pediatrics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/32\/2021\/08\/Shyness-vs.-Social-Anxiety-768x329.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/worldwide-pediatrics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/32\/2021\/08\/Shyness-vs.-Social-Anxiety-800x343.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/worldwide-pediatrics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/32\/2021\/08\/Shyness-vs.-Social-Anxiety.jpg 1000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/p>\n<h2><b>Social Anxiety in Teenagers and Children<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">If you think your child is exhibiting signs of social anxiety, you can be a massive help to their lives by bringing them in for a visit with us at Worldwide Pediatrics Group. As a parent, noticing symptoms and triggers of their child\u2019s anxiety are the first steps for helping.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">As a parent, you can help your child find solutions and overcome anxiety shaking. You do not have to face this challenge alone; Worldwide Pediatrics Group is here to support you and your child through battling mental health. A variety of situations can trigger the disorder in various activities. Parents should lookout for the following when determining social anxiety in a teenager and if they are affected by shyness vs. social anxiety:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Reading aloud<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">If your child has difficulty reading aloud or avoids participating in class, they may be struggling with social anxiety disorder. If your child has not opened up to you, maybe reach out to your child\u2019s teachers and ask about their classroom behavior, especially if you have noticed other signs of anxiety at home.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Speaking in front of others<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Say a big presentation or project is coming up at your child\u2019s school. Maybe they have expressed to you or showed prominent stressful signs while practicing at home.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Scared to be evaluated by others<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Perhaps your child wants to try out for a play or sports league. However, the idea of having to try out and be evaluated by another person makes them feel crippled with anxiety. They may even decide not to participate in something they wanted to if there is a try-out involved.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">They avoid speaking with people they are not used to<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">This can be seen when your child meets new people. Maybe you brought your child along to the coffee shop with you and bumped into an old friend and their child. When you introduced them to your child, they may have seemed uncomfortable.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Fear of disappointing others<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">This point is more than the attributes of a people pleaser. A child with a social anxiety disorder may have a deep fear of offending others. This could be that your child is worried about possible confrontations or further conflict. If you notice your child repeatedly bringing up or worrying about a past moment where they think they may have upset someone, this could be a telling sign.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Expressing fear or disinterest in social situations<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Say there is an upcoming dance or special event that may make other children excited to participate. The idea of interacting or being around many individuals would stress out a teenager with social anxiety disorder. At the same time, a child with the disorder may be disinterested in play dates. Family reunions may even be uncomfortable because the idea of seeing relatives they do not often socialize with or thinking about all the impending questions can overwhelm a child with the disorder.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Whether you have noticed some or many of the signs above in your child, you can get a medical evaluation to make your child\u2019s life more manageable. They shouldn\u2019t feel in constant fear of going about their daily lives. Socializing is a monumental part of human nature, and this skill set must be nurtured at a young age for success and independence later in their lives. If a child goes without treatment for social anxiety disorder, they may find it difficult to find work or grow relationships with other people later in life.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>Helping Teens with Anxiety<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-1757 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/worldwide-pediatrics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/32\/2021\/08\/Helping-Teens-with-Anxiety.jpg\" alt=\"Mental Disorder Teenager Consulting a Child Psychologist. \" width=\"1000\" height=\"699\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/worldwide-pediatrics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/32\/2021\/08\/Helping-Teens-with-Anxiety-200x140.jpg 200w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/worldwide-pediatrics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/32\/2021\/08\/Helping-Teens-with-Anxiety-300x210.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/worldwide-pediatrics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/32\/2021\/08\/Helping-Teens-with-Anxiety-400x280.jpg 400w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/worldwide-pediatrics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/32\/2021\/08\/Helping-Teens-with-Anxiety-600x419.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/worldwide-pediatrics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/32\/2021\/08\/Helping-Teens-with-Anxiety-768x537.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/worldwide-pediatrics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/32\/2021\/08\/Helping-Teens-with-Anxiety-800x559.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/worldwide-pediatrics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/32\/2021\/08\/Helping-Teens-with-Anxiety.jpg 1000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">If you\u2019re wondering \u201chow to help a teenager with anxiety,\u201d you may at first feel overwhelmed. Maybe you have seen your child suffer from anxiety shaking, or <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/uhs.umich.edu\/anxietypanic\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">panic attacks<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">. No parent wants to see their child suffer and to help your child, you have to understand what they&#8217;re going through. It can be painful for parents to understand their child\u2019s disorder because it is an emotional matter. If you feel this way, it is important to remember you must be the brave one and set a confident example for your child.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">You can help your child understand the root of their anxiety by detecting the triggers and explaining the psychology behind social anxiety in simple, easy-to-understand terminology. Also, one of the best ways for helping teens with anxiety is to develop coping mechanisms for them and to seek out healthcare and therapy.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Relaxation Methods<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Have you ever heard about taking a deep breath? Of course, we all have, but taking deep breaths can go a long way when it comes to slowing a racing heart. Teach your child to envision a circle in front of them while they breathe. As they breathe in, half the circle fills up, and as they breathe out, the circle is completed. Using their imagination like this can also distract them from their nerves.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none\">\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">You can teach your child progressive muscle relaxation. Instruct them to make a fist and slowly release while they face high-stress encounters. Let them \u2018shake out\u2019 the nerves by moving their muscles like waving, raising, or moving their arms and legs.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Cognitive Reframing<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Children with anxiety tend to think about the worst-case scenario, or that other people see them through a negative lens. Help your child by instructing them to change negative thinking into the positive version. Ask them to consider the best situation or affirm them often.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none\">\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">For example, maybe your child comes home worrying that their teacher thinks they are a terrible reader. Reframe their thinking by saying that their teacher cares about them and it is their job to help students excel. So, explain that the teacher isn\u2019t picking on them. Say their teacher is trying to help them reach their full potential.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b>Conclusion<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">If you think your child may be suffering from social anxiety, schedule an appointment with us. We understand the journey of coping with and overcoming social anxiety, don\u2019t let your child endure their anxiety alone. <\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Social phobia or social anxiety disorder is more than just shy behavior. Whether you have noticed your child suffering from anxiety shaking or irregular behavior, you should seek professional help with us for social anxiety in children. There is a big difference in shyness vs. social anxiety. Social anxiety can result in paralyzed feelings when<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":1755,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[21],"tags":[215,216,218,219,214,217],"class_list":["post-1754","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-childrens-health","tag-anxiety-shaking","tag-helping-teens-with-anxiety","tag-how-to-help-a-teenager-with-anxiety","tag-shyness-vs-social-anxiety","tag-social-anxiety-in-children","tag-social-anxiety-in-teenagers"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/worldwide-pediatrics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1754","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/worldwide-pediatrics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/worldwide-pediatrics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/worldwide-pediatrics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/worldwide-pediatrics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1754"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/worldwide-pediatrics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1754\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/worldwide-pediatrics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1755"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/worldwide-pediatrics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1754"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/worldwide-pediatrics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1754"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/worldwide-pediatrics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1754"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}