together) of a worried, stressed woman with a stopwatch literally on her mind in New York City, New York. Adolescents with a social anxiety disorder are at a higher risk of experiencing depression and suicidal ideation two years after they first develop social anxiety symptoms, according to a study published in
“Social Anxiety Disorder typically develops in adolescence and is associated with multiple adverse outcomes during adolescence, such as poorer social functioning, poorer academic performance, suicidal ideation, and depressive symptoms,” lead author Kenny Chiu, a clinical lecturer at UEA’s Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychological Therapies, and colleagues wrote in the study. “Social relationships are highly rewarding during adolescence.
To investigate how social anxiety could contribute to an adolescent's deteriorating mental health, the researchers had recruited 2,397 young people residing in the United Kingdom who were 14 to 24 years old. The researchers approached the study participants through 50 clinics of general practitioners and schools in Cambridgeshire, London, and nearby areas from 2012 to 2017.
Each participant had completed questionnaires that delved into their mental health and whether they were experiencing symptoms of depressive symptoms, suicidal ideation, social anxiety symptoms, or generalized anxiety.
In a press release, the second author of the study, Argyris Stringaris, a professor of child and adolescent psychiatry at University College London, said: “Our findings suggest addressing social anxiety early could be crucial in preventing the development of suicidal thoughts and other depressive symptoms.”Our community is about connecting people through open and thoughtful conversations. We want our readers to share their views and exchange ideas and facts in a safe space.