Most people think of anxiety as an emotion that can easily be regulated. However, if you or a loved one has an anxiety disorder, the symptoms take over lives. Anxiety diagnosis is difficult because many disorders fall under the umbrella of anxiety illnesses. Anxiety can also be a symptom of another mental health concern or even a substance use disorder. If you are the parent of a teen who is dealing with an anxiety disorder, then you understand how devastating the effects can be.
However, there is hope to find the best treatment possible for your teen’s social anxiety with Venture Academy’s anxiety treatment program. Our 30-day assessment, intervention, and behaviour treatment program can help your teen learn to cope with debilitating symptoms of their anxiety disorder.
The Disparity of Anxiety Disorders
Anxiety takes many forms. Some of the triggers for anxiety include genetic, as well as environmental factors. Trauma and health conditions also increase anxiety symptoms. Some common anxiety disorders include:
- Social anxiety disorder – Social anxiety is one of the most common types of anxiety. This disorder causes individuals to struggle with social interactions.
- Panic disorder – People with a panic disorder experience sudden, often recurrent panic attacks. Symptoms can mimic those of a heart attack and include the inability to breathe, heart palpitations, and sweating.
- Generalised anxiety disorder – A generalised anxiety disorder causes people to worry excessively for extended periods of time about things like personal health or social interactions.
- Phobias – Phobias are an intense, often irrational fear of specific objects, situations, people, or animals.
- Agoraphobia – People with agoraphobia tend to be afraid of public places and situations. These individuals may experience extreme panic reactions or embarrassing symptoms. Under extreme circumstances, individuals with agoraphobia may become housebound.
These are some of the more common forms, but there are many variances of anxiety. It is critical to remember that fear is very real to the person experiencing it. The best way to support your teen if they are suffering from one of the above disorders is to get them the help they need to cope with their social anxiety symptoms.
Signs of Social Anxiety
Social anxiety is a prevalent disease that affects many people. It is defined by an intense fear of performative actions, especially in social situations or crowds. This can have a very wide range of effects, as more extreme cases make it impossible for people to succeed in the workplace, a school environment, or at social events. Some people even become unable to leave their homes because of persistent fear. Some of the signs of social anxiety that may be affecting your teen include:
- Extended periods of fear and worry
- Anticipating anxiety before a social event occurs
- Avoiding public events, parties, or social situations
- Pessimism about how events may go
- Ruminating about events that occurred in the past
- Physical symptoms such as increased heart rate, sweating, nausea, inability to breathe, muscle tension, or shaking
- Mind-fog or blankness when conversing with others
- Avoids communicating with strangers or making eye contact with other individuals
- Cannot leave the house to go to work, the store, or other public places
The severity of some social anxiety symptoms can restrict an individual’s comfortable movement in society. If you have observed these symptoms in your teen, it may be time to get them the help they need from Venture Academy to better cope with their anxiety.
Calm Teen Anxiety with Help from Venture Academy Today
Social anxiety can take your teen’s full and rounded life from them. Help ease their social anxiety with Venture Academy’s caring and professional treatment program. Our 30-day assessment, intervention, and behaviour treatment programs offer the flexibility and personalised anxiety treatment that your teen needs to learn new life skills. Contact us at 866.762.2211 or take our interactive child behaviour test online. Social anxiety can be debilitating. But you can start your teen’s journey toward a balanced life by reaching out today.
