If you suspect that your teenager may suffer from social anxiety disorder (SAD), it can be hard to know what to do and how to bring the topic up in conversation. Dr. Steven Richfield, a child psychologist and author, provides the following tips to broach the topic of social anxiety with a teenager.

• Be Curious. There is nothing more off-putting to a teenager than a parent who seems meddlesome and concerned. Instead, talk with your teen from a curious perspective to learn more about how she is feeling.
  
  

• Talk Openly. Your teen may be embarrassed by the topic but that doesn't mean that you should be. Be as calm and direct as you can to encourage further conversation.
  
  
• Challenge Your Teen. It is never too late to overcome social anxiety. Suggest that your teen start with peers who seem open and approachable when taking those difficult first steps.
  
  
• Encourage Cultural Literacy. Suggest that your teen become aware of what is popular; music, television, movies, clothes, sports, school clubs and social networking sites are good topics of conversation.

Above all else, remember that your teen is an individual. If she prefers reading books to wild parties, that is her prerogrative. However, when self-imposed isolation interferes with the natural socialization process, it may be time to step in.

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You have probably heard of people bringing service animals on airplanes to help with a variety of conditions. When animals are companions for people with mental health problems they are generally referred to as emotional support animals. With the right documentation, someone with social anxiety disorder (SAD) could bring a dog along on a flight, as long as that dog is an emotional support animal.

A woman in Missouri decided to take the concept of a service animal a few steps further. Debby Rose recently sued Wal-Mart (among other organizations) in a bid to be able to bring her pet monkey Richard along while shopping. Rose argued that Richard was a service animal and that she suffered with SAD. The judge ruled in favor of Wal-Mart, arguing that Rose had not received a proper diagnosis or treatment for her condition, and that the monkey posed a health risk to other customers.

In general I am in favor of emotional support animals however I believe that this woman may have crossed the line. What are your thoughts about this case? Vote in the poll below.

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Selective mutism is a form of social anxiety that renders a child or adult unable to speak in certain social situations. For children with selective mutism, heading back to school in the fall can be more than just a drag. It can be the beginning of anxiety-filled days, lonely lunches, and pressure to speak from teachers.

Middle-school teacher Eileen Dame has written an interesting account of her experiences teaching a boy with undiagnosed selective mutism. Above all else, she stresses the importance of recognizing the disorder in children so that the problem can be addressed. Although selective mutism is more prevalent than obsessive-compulsive disorder and Tourette's syndrome, it often goes undiagnosed.

Below are some tips for teachers of students with selective mutism according to Dame.

• Remove all pressure on the student to speak.
  
  
  
• Let the child know you will not call on him unless his hand is raised.
  
  
  
• Do not comment about his silence or make a big deal out of it if he does speak.
  
  
  
• Be aware that the student cannot ask you for help. Quietly review material and instructions if it seems the student does not understand.

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If you haven't seen Melanie Lynskey on the television show "Two and a Half Men", the release of three new films will be sure to raise the profile of this under-appreciated star. "The Informant!" with Matt Damon, "Up in the Air" with George Clooney, and "Leaves of Grass" with Edward Norton are already receiving rave reviews. However, unlike most Hollywood actresses, Lynskey is a little unsure about the fame and celebrity that comes with acting.

The actress reports being "awkward and shy" in real life, and terrified of fancy parties and having to sell herself. Instead, Lynskey enjoys acting as an escape; a way to "get out of herself". Perhaps she will be able to follow in the footsteps of other Hollywood stars who have avoided the spotlight and focused on acting.

Personally, I have enjoyed Lynskey on-screen and look forward to her becoming more well-known. She is soft-spoken but compelling and interesting to watch, and it seems that Hollywood is finally starting to take notice.

Photo: Charles Eshelman / Getty Images