• Knowledgebase: Behavioral, Developmental, and Emotional Problems

    Questions about behavioral and emotional problems, Autism, developmental delays.

    14. My 14 year old daughter is shy - Top

    O: My 14 year old is very shy. She would rather be with adults than kids her own age. What should I do?

    A: Being a teenager has been and will always be e tough age. There is a lot of insecurity even in those who appear very confident. Looking right, acting right and fitting in are critical for this age group.

    Shyness can be a part of one's personal temperament and in general is not a major problem, but can add to interpersonal relationship problems during the teenage years.

    As far as being more comfortable with adults, this can be due to a teenager being more mature than their peers and therefore more comfortable with more mature individuals. This can also be due to the fact that a teenager does not have to compete with adults and can then relax more around adults.

    As far as what you can do:

    1) keep an open communication door
    2) luck for chances to boost self-confidence
    3) gently nudge into peer interactions

    and remember you cannot do it for her.

    - Updated: March 23, 2001

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    • James L Horwitz, MD

    David C. Thomas, MD

    Barbara Lindberg, PNP