Social Anxiety in Back to School Students
By Melissa Rodriguez
Going back to school can be exciting for students of all ages. Along with the feelings of newness and back-to-school excitement, feelings of nervousness and social anxiety can also arise. Students may feel nervous or anxious starting a new school year. All of the new people students will be around and the new environment they are placed in can cause them to feel socially anxious, unsure, or nervous about the new changes. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, about an estimated 31.9% of young people experience at least one anxiety disorder in their lifetime.
Social anxiety is a fear of social situations. Those with social anxiety are usually more shy, quiet, and overall socially reserved. Some physical symptoms students with social anxiety may feel are: shortness of breath, a churning sensation in the stomach, palpitations, out of body experiences, muscle tension, and feeling lightheaded or dizzy sensations. Some psychological symptoms students may face are: a constant feeling of being judged in social settings, always worrying that you will embarrass or humiliate yourself, having a crippling fear of interacting socially with others, avoiding an event or interaction where you feel you are the center of attention, and constantly being critical of and judging oneself.
If back-to-school anxiety persists longer than the first couple weeks and if you notice that it is causing distress to the daily life of the student, meeting with a therapist may be beneficial to help the student better manage their symptoms and help them go back to school comfortably. This may increase their confidence in school or other social settings, and help them feel more comfortable and confident in their new social environments.
If you, your child, or someone you know is experiencing back-to-school anxiety, social anxiety, or other anxiety disorders or mental health issues, please contact our psychotherapy offices in New York or New Jersey to talk to one of our licensed professional psychologists, psychiatrist, psychiatric nurse practitioners, or psychotherapists at Arista Counseling & Psychotherapy. Contact our Paramus, NJ or Manhattan offices respectively, at 201-368-3700 or 212-722-1920 to set up an appointment. Please visit http://www.counselingpsychotherapynjny.com/ for more information.
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Image Source: https://www.educare.net.au/living-with-social-anxiety-personal-stories-and-coping-mechanisms/
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