Social Anxiety Disorder

Children with social phobia (also called social anxiety disorder) have a persistent fear of being embarrassed in social situations, during a performance, or if they have to speak in class or in public, get into conversation with others, or eat, drink, or write in public. Feelings of anxiety in these situations produce physical reactions: palpitations, tremors, sweating, diarrhea, blushing, muscle tension, etc. Sometimes a full-blown panic attack ensues; sometimes the reaction is much more mild. Adolescents and adults are able to recognize that their fear is unreasonable or excessive, although this recognition does not prevent the fear. Children, however, might not recognize that their reaction is excessive, although they may be afraid that others will notice their anxiety and consider them odd or babyish.

Young children do not articulate their fears, but may cry, have tantrums, freeze, cling, appear extremely timid in strange social settings, shrink from contact with others, stay on the side during social events, and try to stay close to familiar adults. They may fall behind in school, avoid school completely, or avoid social activities among children their age. The avoidance of the fearful situations or worry preceding the feared event may last for weeks and interferes with the individual's daily routine, social life, job, or school. They may find it impossible to speak in social situations or in the presence of unfamiliar people (for review of social phobia, see DSM-IV; Black et al., 1997).

Social phobia is common, the lifetime prevalence ranging from 3 to 13 percent, depending on how great the fear is and on how many different situations induce the anxiety (DSM-IV; Black et al., 1997). In survey studies, the majority of those with the disorder were found to be female (DSM-IV). Often the illness is lifelong, although it may become less severe or completely remit. Life events may reassure the individual or exacerbate the anxiety and disorder.

Source: Mental Health: A Report of the Surgeon General, Chapter 3, Children and Mental Health Social Phobia

Related Resources:

Coping with Children's Anxiety
Strategies for parents to cope with children's anxiety and improve well-being at home and school.

Social Anxiety Disorder Net Links
Additional resources for parents of children with social anxiety disorder.

Elsewhere on the Web:

DSM-IV Diagnostic Criteria - Social Phobia
What the professionals use to diagnose this disorder.

Related Terms

• Generalized Anxiety Disorder
• Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
• Posttraumatic Stress Disorder
• Separation Anxiety Disorder
• Selective Mutism
• Social Anxiety Disorder