Hidden Fears, Quiet Shame, Social Anxiety in Middle School to College Students

ADHD is not a prerequisite for social anxiety, but many adolescents, teens, and young adults with ADHD do suffer from hidden fears about being embarrassed or humiliated in social situations. These worries about what others think of them appear in the diagnostic criteria for social anxiety disorder as described in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.

However, this definition of social anxiety excludes other ways in which some people suffer with fears, such as how others may perceive or disapprove of them. These fears are not tied to how they perform in social situations. Instead, these fears relate to aspects of their behavior, thoughts, or wishes that may be seen as inappropriate by others. These fears, sometimes fueled by shame, sound like this: “What would other people think about me if they knew what I was thinking?” This type of social anxiety isn’t talked about much and less than half of those affected seek treatment.

What does research say about the causes and effects of social anxiety among those with and without ADHD? Which treatments and interventions work best to help and support students in social situations?

In this webinar, you will learn:

• About the genetic, family, and environmental factors that contribute to social anxiety
• How to recognize social anxiety through real-life examples and case studies
• About common fears at different ages and stages
• Why students are often reluctant to seek help for excessive worries
• How untreated social anxiety can lead to higher risk of dropping out of school, higher rates of unemployment, and suffering a decreased sense of wellbeing
• About effective treatments and interventions for social anxiety