Explaining child disorders
 

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Article #107: Shy and Withdrawn Teens

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Shy or Withdrawn Behavior as Destructive This type of behavior is often contrasted
or Maladaptive. Hundreds of thousands of with the sometimes more obvious
teens are bullied every day. Bullying has "externalizing" problems of an outgoing,
everyone worried, not just the kids on direct teen who is busy stealing cars,
its receiving end. Yet because parents, drinking and causing trouble for others.
teachers, and other adults don't always Common Reasons for Shyness and
see it, they may not understand how Withdrawal: 1) Self-consciousness
extreme bullying can get. (related to appearance, behavior) 2)
Social withdrawal is fear of, or Under-developed social skills 3)
withdrawal from, people or social Substance abuse 4) Underlying feelings
situations. Shyness becomes a problem of insecurity and/or inadequacy 5)
when it interferes with relationships Significant introversion with ambivalent
with others, in social situations, or emotions 6) Identity confusion or
other aspect's of a child's life. uncertainty
Problems with shyness are usually evident In assessing your teen, look at whether
by the time a child is three years old. or not your child is compliant or
The shy/withdrawn adolescent may have defiant, reserved or outgoing, routine or
major conflicts and issues but nobody spontaneous. The shy/withdrawn teen will
knows. In fact, sometimes parents are not tend toward compliance, be reserved and
able to detect the internal storm or prefer routine. He/she may move away or
struggle in the shy or withdrawn, largely avoid others when difficulties arise. At
due to an external calm. times, withdrawn behavior can take on the
Shy and withdrawn teens are oftentimes role of indirect (sometimes
highly sensitive to their immediate passive-aggressive) anger.
environment. Parents thus need to be Below are suggestions for children who
available and consistent in their are socially anxious, while parents
actions. Many adolescents lack an should contact a licensed professional
internal structure for control and find for more specific anxiety problems.
it difficult to focus on a consistent and Build your child's self esteem
constructive problem-solving plan."> Develop your child's social skills.
Parents can help by providing meaningful Allow your child to warm up to a
structure.. situation and don't push them too hard.
Unfortunately, teens may not have the Expose your child to different situations
self-awareness to recognize how their Provide love, affection, and attention
detachment and withdrawal can stimulate to your child Teach positive self
frustration and even anger in parents. At talk
the same time, they need a strong Why is it you know exactly where your shy
relationship with a trusting adult. By and withdrawn teen is? Go to :
learning more about how shy/withdrawn There are ways to help manage the fear
behavior in teens occurs via assessment, and all it takes is some effort to find
parents and practitioners can learn how those answers. Advice for teachers on how
to treat its negative aspects. to work with shy children in the
Assessment: One way to conceptualize shy classroom. Experienced professionals who
withdrawn behavior is to view a teen as specialize in anxiety disorders provide
"internalizing" his difficulties by useful insights and tips for adults,
becoming preoccupied or self-conscious. children, parents and teachers.






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