Signs Of Social Anxiety In Teens: How To Get Help

Medically reviewed by Elizabeth Erban, LMFT, IMH-E

Updated April 28, 2024by BetterHelp Editorial Team

It's estimated that 9.1% of teens aged 13-18 experience social phobia, and according to the National Institute Of Mental Health, 7.1% of adults have it as well. You might be wondering what the symptoms of social phobia are or if you have social anxiety disorder. Below, we’ll talk about social phobia in-depth and go over some of the ways of treating a social anxiety disorder, including online therapy for teens.

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What is social phobia?

Social phobia is also known as social anxiety disorder. It is a mental health condition characterized by extreme or overwhelming anxiety that occurs in one or more social situations. The American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic And Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) defines social anxiety as the “marked fear or anxiety about one or more social situations in which the individual is exposed to possible scrutiny by others.” Some of these situations may include social interactions, such as meeting unfamiliar people, being observed, eating in front of others, and performing or speaking in front of others.

This phobia is not just shyness or the occasional nervousness everyone experiences at times. Instead, social phobia can impede someone’s ability to engage in daily activities. This form of anxiety in teens is common. The average time of onset is one's teenage years; many people first experience symptoms during their childhood or teenage years. However, symptoms may begin at any time, and one can receive a diagnosis at any age or during any stage of life.

Symptoms of social anxiety disorder

Symptoms of social anxiety disorder or social phobia include the following:

A sense of overwhelm, fear, extreme nervousness, or anxiety during social situations
Intense fear and anxiety in anticipation of social events (anxiety prior to social events)
Fear of embarrassment, humiliation, or judgment from others when or before socializing
Self-consciousness and persistent negative thoughts
Undeveloped social skills, such as misreading body language or not maintaining eye contact
Concern about what other people thought of you after an interaction or event
A tendency to analyze your actions after an interaction or event and to ruminate over potential flaws in what you said or did
Avoidance of social events, interactions, and situations where you may be embarrassed, humiliated, or judged
A tendency to cancel or say "no" to social events or interactions due to symptoms
Trouble talking to new people or people you don't know well
Physical symptoms, such as blushing, sweating, shaking, trembling, or experiencing gastrointestinal distress, muscle tension, and a rapid heartbeat

Those who live with social anxiety disorder may have an increased likelihood of meeting the criteria for other mental health conditions, including major depressive disorder (MDD), or other anxiety disorders, including generalized anxiety disorder (GAD).

How does social phobia impact your life?

Getty/MoMo Productions

Someone with social phobia or social anxiety may experience difficulty in a number of different social situations. Examples of situations in which someone with social anxiety may experience symptoms include the following:

Attending work, school, or similar obligations
Ordering food at a restaurant
Answering the phone
Interacting with employees at stores, shops, and similar locations
Dating
Making new friends
Joining new groups or trying new activities where others are present
Eating in public or in front of others
Attending social events or parties

There are a variety of causes of this anxiety disorder, and it can affect different people in different ways. Difficulty with the different types of complex interactions listed above may lead to trouble attending or performing at work or school, which may impact your education or employment or cause fatigue and stress in these contexts. Some people may experience loneliness due to isolation or trouble getting to know new people. Others may miss or put off important phone calls or have difficulty getting what they need at stores and shops.

Personality traits such as hypersensitivity to criticism or rejection (whether real or perceived) and trouble being assertive when needed may also be present in those living with social anxiety or social phobia. However, social anxiety disorder is considered a highly treatable condition. Social anxiety disorder is common, and professional help for this disorder is available.

How do I know if I have social anxiety?

If you recognize the symptoms of social anxiety in yourself or from talking with family and find that it's impacting your life, you may have social anxiety disorder. To receive a formal diagnosis of social anxiety disorder or social phobia, you can see a mental health professional who is qualified to diagnose mental health conditions. To provide a diagnosis of social anxiety disorder, a provider may ask you to answer some written or verbal questions that assess your symptoms and how they affect you.

However, you may also want to get a physical exam from a medical doctor to ensure your physical symptoms are not linked to another health condition. If your physical exam indicates a medical condition, your doctor may prescribe medication (such as beta blockers) to help improve your physical health.

How to ease social anxiety

Although social anxiety disorder is a psychiatric disorder that should be treated by a mental health professional, there are still some coping skills you can use to reduce anxiety and your fear response:

Practice mindfulness.
Take deep breaths.
Journal your thoughts.
Push yourself to experience more social gatherings.
Take care of your physical health.
Discuss your thoughts and feelings with a trusted friend or family.

Getty/Vadym Pastukh

Other ways to find help

Whether you're experiencing significant anxiety, depression, difficulty with personal relationships, or stress related to school or work, a counselor or therapist may be able to help. People with social anxiety disorder often find help by trying behavioral therapy or exposure therapy with a trained mental health professional or by finding support through a support group.

There are a number of different ways to find a therapist or counselor who meets your needs. You can search the web, browse a therapist directory, see what your health insurance plan covers, or sign up for a reputable online platform like BetterHelp (18+) or TeenCounseling (13-19). All of the providers on the BetterHelp and TeenCounseling platforms are licensed, and you can talk to a counselor completely online, which may be helpful if social anxiety makes it difficult to leave home. Studies show that online therapy is just as effective as in-person therapy for anxiety. Also, online therapy also tends to be more affordable than traditional in-person services without insurance.

Takeaway

If you're not sure whether you have social anxiety disorder, you can be matched with a counselor with experience helping teens in this area. With TeenCounseling and BetterHelp, you can talk to a counselor completely online and try cognitive behavioral therapy. You can also contact your counselor via in-app messaging, and they’ll get back to you as soon as they’re able. Regardless of how you find a provider, you deserve to get the support you need. Don't hesitate to take the first step and reach out today.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

Is social phobia the same as anxiety?

Social phobia is a type of anxiety disorder that is also known as social anxiety disorder. People with this disorder experience intense fear and anxiety symptoms when in social situations or during social interactions. So yes, social phobia can be thought of as the same as anxiety, because it is an anxiety disorder that is triggered by specific situations.

What does social anxiety look like?

Social anxiety looks very similar to other anxiety disorders, except the symptoms arise during social situations. According to the National Institute Of Mental Health, some of the common signs and symptoms of social anxiety in a person include:

Experiencing a persistent fear in social situations
Blushing, sweating, or trembling
Increased heart rate and high blood pressure
Feeling sick to their stomach
Experience their mind going blank
Struggling to make eye contact
Rigid body posture
Being self-conscious when interacting with others
Exhibiting poor social skills and extreme shyness
Avoiding public places and social situations

At what age does social anxiety begin?

People typically develop social anxiety disorder (also called social phobia) in childhood or adolescence. Though there are many risk factors for developing social anxiety disorder such as environmental factors, an overactive amygdala, and family history, adolescents are at greater risk due to societal pressures, peer pressure, and the greater likelihood of being judged negatively by their peers. However, it is important to know that people with social anxiety disorder may experience or develop it at any point in their life. Therefore, young adults that do not experience social anxiety are not necessarily immune to social anxiety later in life.

Can social phobia be cured?

The good news is that social phobia is a treatable mental health condition. But unfortunately, according to the Anxiety and Depression Association Of America, only 5% of people with social anxiety disorders seek treatment. This could be due to their symptoms and fear response preventing them from talking to a health professional about their concerns or they may try to convince themselves that they don’t have a problem. However, social anxiety disorders are very real psychiatric disorders that may worsen if left untreated. Some people who do not seek treatment turn to unhealthy behaviors, such as substance abuse, to cope with their feelings.

So how is it treated? Research shows that talk therapy is the best treatment for social phobia. This disorder can improve significantly with various modalities of therapy, including those used in both group therapy and individual therapy settings. Modalities of therapy that help with social anxiety include but aren't limited to cognitive behavioral therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), and exposure therapy. Many people also find treatment and help through support groups and other forms of behavioral therapy.

However, there are other treatment options for social anxiety disorder. Clinical trials have shown that medication options like beta blockers, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) were successful in reducing anxious feelings when used to treat social anxiety disorder. Though some of these medications are primarily used to treat depression, many clinical trials have shown they are effective for social anxiety disorders as well. If you are experiencing social anxiety and are looking for treatment options, talk to a psychiatrist to see if medication is a good treatment method for you.

Is shyness a social phobia?

Shyness is not the same as social phobia. Experts recognize that social phobia and social anxiety disorder are not synonymous with or the same as being shy. Someone with an anxiety disorder such as social anxiety disorder may be shy or consider themselves shy in addition to living with the condition, but with social anxiety disorder or social phobia, symptoms can be severe and may have serious impacts on a person's life. Therefore if you are experiencing just shyness or struggle with social skills, you don’t necessarily have social phobia.

If you're struggling with socializing, social relationships, or social anxiety in any way, therapy or counseling can be advantageous.

Should I go to therapy for social anxiety?

Therapy is a leading and highly recommended treatment for social anxiety. Research looking at cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for social anxiety shows that brief CBT is an effective treatment, with participants showing clinically significant improvement. Social anxiety can impact a person's life in serious ways, and it can be truly debilitating, but it doesn't have to stay that way. Getting help is imperative for those who are struggling, and it can be life-changing once you find the right care. Remember that if the first therapist you see isn't a good fit, you can switch or change providers.

What is the root cause of social anxiety?

A lot of people wonder what causes social anxiety. There are a number of factors that can contribute to the development of social anxiety, and there is no singular root cause that's true across the board. Factors that may increase the likelihood that someone will have social anxiety disorder include but aren't limited to:

Family history or genetics. Those with a family history of social anxiety disorder are said to be 2-6 times more likely to live with it themselves.
Temperament and personal history. It's said that those who are more timid might face a higher likelihood of social anxiety, and your personal mental health history may also play a role.
Negative experiences. These may include but aren't limited to bullying, harassment, feeling othered, and having a specific feature or difference pointed out by peers.

Trauma and social isolation are other possible risk factors. If you are struggling with various concerns - for example, trauma and social anxiety - you can address both in therapy. Often, various stressors and things that impact your mental health affect each other, and they can all be addressed with the help of a licensed professional therapist or counselor. Therapy is a place where you can express your struggles and unique experiences as an individual in a non-judgemental setting. Struggling with mental health does not mean that you're broken, and anything you face that may have contributed to the development of social phobia is not your fault.

What are examples of social phobias?

Is social phobia normal?

How many types of social phobias are there?

What is the most common social phobia?

How do you stop social phobia?

How serious is social phobia?

How do I make friends with social phobia?

Is social phobia a fear?

Learn to cope with the challenges of adolescence

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