How do I talk to my parents about my SA?

[Almost]

I'm 99% positive that I have Social Anxiety Disorder. I've had it for about the past 7 years and I want to do something about it. I'm 17 and I want to go to a doctor or something and get prescribed something or get therapy, whatever I can do but I don't know how to ask my parents about it.

I don't think they know what social anxiety disorder is, they just think i'm really shy and are always trying to make me socialize and stuff and it's just really annoying.

I don't know what to say.

I think i'm kind of afraid they'll just think i'm crazy and not take me seriously or something..

 

[Pookah]

I think the best thing to do might not be to say you have SA but that you feel something is wrong and would like to see a psychiatrist to talk about your problems. I don't think they would deny you that though they may be concerned. The psychiatrist can then inform your parents of a diagnosis if you so choose.

 

[slimjim119]

What I remember telling my parents was that I always felt too nervous in normal situations. And it was starting to affect my schoolwork and life in general. And that I should maybe consult a professional. They were very understanding about it. Show them information about it on the internet. There is alot more awareness now then when I was in school.

 

[danstelter]

Great work on identifying this as a step you need to take! And yes, you are right in being careful on how to present this to your parents. As noted previously, it is probably a good idea to let your parents know that you struggle with anxiety in social situations, as they have noticed, but not that you have a "disorder." A disorder makes it sound like you are some messed up dude who needs serious help, which is not the case, and if you can get them to pay for you to see a therapist, then the therapist can help you deal with talking to them about your condition.

As to what to actually say, I would say something like, "Mom and Dad, I need to talk to you. I am really having trouble making friends at school because of my shyness/social anxiety. (List the difficulties that it causes you so that they see the reason for seeking help). I have done some research, and I think that the most helpful thing would be for me to ___ (you can fill in the blank, but I would STRONGLY RECOMMEND a counselor or therapist over a doctor as they have a much broader knowledge of anxiety and they can help you decide whether or not medication is a good thing for you). This is just something I need to do for myself so that I can feel better."

Stated this way, it is pretty hard to argue for a parent to argue against their child getting better. However, and to scare you, some parents are not recepetive to the idea of getting help and you might need to have several conversations in order to get your parents to help you. A final point is that you have identified that your parents are unable to help you socialize and just end up being annoying, and that might be another reason to find help (don't state this yet though...wait till later when you have help from a therapist).

Good luck and let us know how it goes, as we can help if you run into any difficulties!

 

[Lorraine Manca]

Maybe tell them you want to work on your shyness with a therapist, then have the therapist tell them about sa. Dont feel like you need to explain what its like unless they are the really the true blue understanding type. All they need to know is that you have it.