What Is Social Anxiety? What Is Social Anxiety? Add video to playlist Create Playlist Condoms and STDs Add Playlist Body Add Playlist Jillian Add Playlist LGBTQ Toolkit Videos Add Playlist sex-list Add Playlist Elliott Remove Playlist Aiden Add Playlist ena Add Playlist healthy relationships Add Playlist Puberty Add Playlist Healthy Relationships Add Playlist STIs and HIV Add Playlist Pregnancy and Reproduction Add Playlist Gender Identity Add Playlist Feelings Remove Playlist Puberty Add Playlist Male/Female Anatomy Add Playlist Upper Elementary Add Playlist vv Add Playlist Annie Remove Playlist Aslan Add Playlist 7/8 B Add Playlist Sex & Protection Add Playlist STIs Add Playlist HIV/AIDS Add Playlist Healthy Relationships Add Playlist Sexual Identity Add Playlist Puberty Add Playlist CG Add Playlist Puberty Talks Add Playlist Reproductive anatomy: female Add Playlist Period 101 Add Playlist Menstruation Add Playlist Reproductive Anatomy: Male Add Playlist gender, sexual orientation, lgbtq Add Playlist Puberty – the facts Remove Playlist Juliette Add Playlist Sex Education Add Playlist Good Add Playlist Good Add Playlist Growing up Remove Playlist Playlist Add Playlist e Add Playlist Kkkk Add Playlist Girls Puberty Add Playlist healthy relationships Add Playlist Grade 4/5 Add Playlist Safety Add Playlist Health Ed MS Remove Playlist Maddie Add Playlist STD’s Add Playlist HIV & AIDS Add Playlist grade 7-8 Add Playlist all grades Add Playlist grade 4-6 Add Playlist Michael’s playlist Remove Playlist Deborah Roffman for 7th grade Add Playlist Health 6 Add Playlist Health 8 Add Playlist Elementary Health Education Workshop Add Playlist Op Remove Playlist 6th grade Add Playlist 6th grade Add Playlist 5th Healthy Relationships Add Playlist Birth Control Add Playlist Puberty Toolkit Videos Add Playlist What is it all about Add Playlist SB Add Playlist Boundaries and Consent Add Playlist Puberty Add Playlist Devon Add Playlist Sexual Violence Toolkit Videos Add Playlist Puberty Add Playlist Health Add Playlist Consent and boundaries Add Playlist Relationships Add Playlist Emotional Health Add Playlist Andrew Add Playlist Emily Add Playlist 6th Grade 2018-19 Add Playlist Jason Add Playlist healthy relationships Add Playlist Relationships Add Playlist gang Add Playlist Boys Add Playlist Girls Add Playlist MS Personal Safety Add Playlist 7th Grade Add Playlist Family Life- 8th Add Playlist Family Life- 7th Add Playlist Family Life- 6th Add Playlist Intro Add Playlist Puberty Add Playlist Where babies come from. Add Playlist Social Skills Add Playlist Our Bodies Add Playlist playlist with vids – 20 total Add Playlist Emotions Add Playlist Pregnancy Add Playlist consent Add Playlist What Is Social Anxiety? | Puberty Anxiety Depression Youth Lots of people feel butterflies in their stomach, have a racing heart or get sweaty palms when they meet someone new, try something for the first time, answer a question in class or even talk to someone they like. It is totally normal to feel nervous, anxious or shy in a new social situation. But what if those feelings of shyness or self-consciousness turn into a very strong fear? If a person’s fear keeps them from trying new things or participating in everyday social situations, then this could be something called social phobia, also known as social anxiety disorder. Having a social phobia or social anxiety disorder means that a person’s thoughts and fears are often exaggerated in their minds, and these thoughts and fears can be paralyzing. There is no way to control how a person reacts to stressful situations, but there are things individuals can learn to help manage those feelings. Talking with a trained counselor—like a school counselor, social worker or psychologist—can help a person dealing with social phobia learn more about what brings on their feelings and how best to manage them so they can enjoy life to the fullest. Related Videos Feeling Depressed, Happy and Other Emotions Sad and Happy: Feelings Happen Close Close ADDITIONAL RESOURCES Sex, Etc. KidsHealth Parents At different points in life, it is completely normal for people to feel nervous or shy in social situations. Parents and caregivers can support young people in navigating new social situations and managing feelings of shyness, anxiety or self-consciousness. But if you notice that large groups or new situations trigger overwhelming feelings of anxiety that paralyze your child or leave them unwilling to participate in activities, your child may need extra help. In these cases, you can reassure your child that extreme feelings of self-consciousness or anxiety don’t mean anything is wrong with them or that they have done anything wrong. Let them know that you realize that they can’t just turn off their feelings or “get over it.” Let your child know that you will work with them to get the support they need to feel better and manage those feelings. Speak with your child’s health care provider to find a therapist you and your child trust or visit PsychologyToday.com to find a therapist near you. CONVERSATION STARTERS You can use the following conversation starters to speak with your child about the emotions they are experiencing: It seems like you have been really sad for a while. Can we talk about it and figure out what we can do together to make it better? I noticed that you’ve been worried about X lately. I’d like to help you feel less worried. I’m here for you when you’re sad, anxious or scared and want to do what I can to help. Let’s talk about ways I can do that. It looks like you’ve been feeling bad lately. I feel sad and worried too, sometimes. There are ways to feel better. Educators At different points in life, it is completely normal for people to feel nervous or shy in social situations. But if you notice a student is struggling to participate in activities or engage socially because of extreme shyness or anxiety, this child may need extra help. Referring a child to your school’s counselor, social worker or psychologist can help them begin to deal with anxiety or social phobia. DISCUSSION QUESTIONS After watching the video with your class, process it using the following discussion questions: In the video, what were some of the normal feelings a person might experience in a new situation? Why is it important to talk to a trusted adult if you’re feeling overwhelmed by anxiety and self-consciousness in large groups or new situations? Who are some trusted adults that a person can talk with if they are experiencing these feelings? What are some things a person could say to start this conversation with a trusted adult? WEBSITES MentalHealth.gov Mental health America National Association of School Psychologists