Shyness: The Ultimate Teen Guide(It Happened to Me)

Although shyness is a very common trait and almost everyone experiences it at some level, it’s often misunderstood. That’s because few of us ask about the frustration, anxiety, pain, and triumphs in the life of a shy person. These experiences remain hidden, and shy people may feel that nobody wants to know what’s going on in their hearts, minds, and souls. Their silence often isolates them. In Shyness: The Ultimate Teen Guide, Bernardo J. Carducci and Lisa Kaiser help young adults address a concern that millions of teens around the world experience. The authors emphasize that shyness is not a character flaw that needs to be cured, or that shy people need to remake their personalities and suddenly become extroverted. Instead, this book provides tips and strategies to help shy teens control their shyness by changing the thoughts, feelings, and behaviors that hold them back from reaching their true potential. Chapters in this book look at myths about shynesswhat makes people shy what it feels like to be shyhow shyness affects identityhow shy teens can meet people and make friendshow shy people can tackle some of their biggest fears, like dating challenges beyond high school, such as leaving for college and developing a career Throughout this book, teens learn that the best-kept secret about shyness is that there’s nothing wrong with it. Designed to help readers understand and gain a greater appreciation for who they are, Shyness: The Ultimate Teen Guide will teach young adults—and those closest to them—what it means to be successfully shy.

Table of Contents:
Acknowledgments Introduction Part I: Getting to Know Shy Teens Chapter 1: What Do Shy Teens Look Like? Chapter 2: Busting Myths about Shyness Chapter 3: Why Are You Shy Part II: What It Feels Like to Be Shy Chapter 4: Shyness of the Body Chapter 5: Shyness of the Mind Chapter 6: Shyness of the Self Part III: Becoming a Successfully Shy Teen Chapter 7: Getting Ready to Get Out There Chapter 8: Making Conversation Chapter 9: Making Friends Chapter 10: Dating Chapter 11: Shyness in School Chapter 12: Bullying and Social Media Chapter 13: The Successfully Shy Young Adult Glossary Selected Resources for Teens Index About the Authors

About the Author :
Bernardo J. Carducci is professor of psychology and Director of the Shyness Research Institute at Indiana University Southeast and a Fellow of the American Psychological Association. He is the author of several books, including Shyness: A Bold New Approach (2000), The Shyness Breakthrough (2003), and The Shyness Workbook (2005). Lisa Kaiser, MA, is the assistant editor of Milwaukee's independent newsweekly, the Shepherd Express. Kaiser has written collaboratively with Dr. Carducci on Shyness: A Bold New Approach and The Shyness Breakthrough.

Review :
Carducci’s experience in leading shyness workshops results in practical suggestions to help teens understand the shyness trait and work toward becoming what he terms 'successfully shy.'. . . Librarians may want to single out the section 'On Becoming a Successfully Shy Teen' for those intimidated by the book’s length or more interested in specific suggestions. . . .The authors briefly but firmly distinguish shyness from introversion, but even introverts can benefit from the techniques for enhancing social skills. Almost everyone has felt shy at one point or another, and, according to Carducci and Kaiser, many people feel that way routinely. Released in a series directed at teens, this book aims to help motivated shy teens understand, cope with, and take action regarding their shyness. Carducci has written several books intended to help people overcome the social, emotional, and behavioral consequences of this common but anxiety-provoking trait. The goal of the present title is to help teens become, in Carducci’s words, ‘successfully shy.’ The authors present the 13 chapters in three sections: ‘Knowing Shy Teens,’ ‘What It Feels Like to Be Shy,’ and ‘Becoming a Successfully Shy Teen.’ The book’s strengths are fourfold: the writing is accessible; browsing is encouraged—reading from start to finish is unnecessary; the authors do a good job of presenting teen perspectives, modeling various responses and strategies for coping with situations that trigger shyness; in presenting psychological research on shyness, the authors have an appropriate, light touch. The audience for this book is teens and young adults. Summing Up: Recommended. Lower-division undergraduates; general readers. Overall, the book provides a compassionate and accessible integration of theoretically and empirically informed approaches to managing shyness. The book appears to be designed for typically developing teens ... [T]he information and skills provided are widely applicable. Readers may become more self-aware and empowered to ‘take control of shyness’ by building on their strengths and interests. Although the book provides a healthy dose of encouragement to shy teens, it balances this appropriately with realistic expectations. The text is enhanced with pictures, self-assessment inventories, reflective questions, structured exercises, and personal accounts of shyness. We like the structure the author provides for skills like small talk, problem-solving, and expanding one’s comfort zone. For shy teenagers, and for individuals with developmental disorders in particular, breaking down complex interpersonal situations into steps can be invaluable.... This book is an important resource for shy teenagers and their caregivers. It may also be helpful for clinicians working with shy teens. The content will help youth gain self-awareness, hope, and skills to take proactive steps toward their social goals.