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Social media has served as an important platform for increasing awareness of mental health and helping reduce the stigma of mental health disorders. Many people have found connection on social media with others who are also struggling, as well as a community to share and express themselves in a way that maybe they wouldn’t have felt comfortable before.

Social anxiety is typically related to several issues, including how we related in our family of origin and what our family taught us about feelings; what we learned about relationships from our childhood and adolescent friendships; how we communicate both verbally and nonverbally; how we read other people’s verbal and non-verbal cues; and especially how we avoid or deal with conflict. Another way we may increasingly become socially uncomfortable is by using alcohol or other drugs in social settings so that we can lose some of our ability to comfortably socialize without alcohol or drugs.

As a mother of three children with ADHD, this time of year causes my nerves to fray. I worry about getting a good teacher match. I worry about their behavior in school. I worry about being misunderstood. However, the start of the school year is a great opportunity to focus on communication.