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Social anxiety disorder (SAD) is a result of a combination of genetics and environmental factors. The parents’ social skills can greatly influence that of the children. However, since SAD has a genetic predisposition, one or both parents may have suffered from an anxiety disorder themselves. But not to worry; parents have a huge impact on a child’s life. Parents should model social skills to their child in order to manage their child’s social anxiety disorder.
Here are some appropriate behaviors parents need to show their children:
– Be courteous. If you yourself are extremely shy, you can start by doing little good deeds for people; holding the door for a stranger, picking something up if someone drops something, offering to carry something for a stranger. If you do this twice or thrice, it will suddenly become automatic or something like a reflex.
– Greet the strangers; hi or hello, good morning, good afternoon, and so on. Greet the taxi driver, the mailman, the cashier, the security guard, or basically anyone who crosses your path during the day. Start a casual conversation with the person beside you on the train or the person you stand next to on a line.
– Compliment others, whether it is a stranger or a friend. Acknowledge someone’s outfit or new hairstyle. Encourage your child to do the same with his friends.
– Be a risk taker. This is one of the problems faced by people with SAD, they fear judgment and embarrassment. They may avoid engaging into sports because they fear they’d be a reason why a team would lose. It is very important that you tell your child about taking chances and learning from failures. Remind them that failures make one a better person and it shapes one in order to be successful. Giving a positive reinforcement for joining a social activity might help in encouraging your child to participate.
– Avoid being judgmental. As much as possible, do not judge or critic others and yourself in front of your children. If you are very critical as a person, your children might copy that attitude. He will become judgmental, and over time, he will think that others are also judging him. It is important that you tolerate and respect other’s flaws to lessen their anxiety and also to teach them about good values.
In conclusion, as a parent of a child with a social anxiety disorder, you should have a confident social behavior for your child to observe. Pay particular attention to the areas your child has difficulty with, and demonstrate behaviors on how to handle them appropriately.
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Source by Matt Wilkins
