Social anxiety disorder, sometimes called social phobia, is a specific kind of anxiety disorder. Social anxiety disorder is not just shyness; fear and avoidance of social settings define this condition. Teens and adults alike can experience social anxiety. Studies show that an estimated 9.1% of adolescents have social anxiety disorder. Social anxiety can be hard to manage, and it can have a profound impact on the way your teen interacts with peers, performs in school and builds relationships. If your teen has social anxiety, they may experience extreme stress and fear in social environments. They may feel as if other people are always watching and judging them when they’re in public. When someone is experiencing social anxiety disorder, professional intervention can be vital.

There are several treatment techniques that may improve social anxiety symptoms, including medications and therapeutic modalities. Learning more about the methods used to treat social anxiety can help you understand what options are available. It can also help you understand how your teen may benefit from treatment.

3 medications and other treatments for social anxiety

• SSRIs — SSRI stands for selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor. An SSRI is a kind of medication used to treat mental health disorders. Though SSRIs are typically used as antidepressants, they can help address more than depression. SSRIs are sometimes prescribed to treat social anxiety disorder. This kind of medication works by preventing the brain from absorbing serotonin. By preventing reuptake, SSRIs increase the amount of available serotonin in the brain. Serotonin is a chemical that plays a key role in regulating mood, sleep, appetite and more. It can also help regulate anxiety. For many people with social anxiety, SSRIs are used as a first-line treatment.
• SNRIs — Serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) are another type of medication used for anxiety. Like SSRIs, SNRIs increase serotonin levels. However, SNRIs also work to increase the amount of norepinephrine in the brain. Norepinephrine is a chemical that plays a key role in stress reactions. Increasing norepinephrine levels can improve the way a person reacts to stress. This can help reduce anxiety symptoms. SNRIs can be prescribed to treat major depressive disorder (MDD), social anxiety disorder and some other mental health conditions. If your teen needs help managing their social anxiety symptoms, an SNRI could serve as a crucial part of treatment.
• Psychotherapy — Medication alone might not be the best treatment option for social anxiety. Medication often works best when working in synergy with psychotherapy. Psychotherapy can help your teen continually improve their condition. A comprehensive treatment program may incorporate both medication and psychotherapy. Medication can help your teen keep their symptoms under control while they work to make lasting progress in therapy.

Key benefits of effective mental health treatment for teens with social anxiety

Effective treatment for social anxiety doesn’t just alleviate current symptoms. With the right treatment program, your teen can work to identify and address the drivers behind their social anxiety disorder. Some benefits of effective mental health treatment for social anxiety include:

• Improved confidence — Learning to manage their anxiety can make your teen feel more confident in social settings. They may be less afraid of interacting with others and engaging in public activities. With greater confidence, your teen might start to take part in activities they once avoided. These could include joining clubs or speaking up more in class.
• Stronger relationships — Mental health treatment can help your teen build vital communication skills. These skills, combined with increased confidence, can foster stronger relationships with friends and family members.
• Enhanced coping skills — Through individual therapy, your teen can develop anxiety coping skills. These coping strategies can help them in many aspects of life, not just in managing social anxiety. Coping skills can help them navigate future challenges with resilience.

Lightfully Teen can help address your teen’s social anxiety

At Lightfully Teen, we can help your teen manage their social anxiety symptoms. Our Precision Care Model (PCM) is designed to target the drivers behind mental health disorders and symptoms. With this model, we can directly address your teen’s condition. Our PCM consists of evidence-based and whole-person-centered care provided by deeply compassionate experts. We can help your teen identify negative thoughts and behaviors, then work to change them. Through treatment, your teen can get the tools they need to manage their social anxiety and work toward lasting mental wellness.

Change is possible. When your teen is ready to get help with their social anxiety, reach out to our Admissions Concierge Team. We’ll take the next steps together, toward the fullest, brightest version of your teen.