Children and teens with Social Anxiety Disorder have an excessive fear of social and/or performance situations. They are overly concerned that they may do something embarrassing or humiliating, or others will think badly of them. These children constantly feel "on stage," which can lead to a great deal of self-consciousness.
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Stories
The Story of 11-year-old Chandra
Chandra is an 11-year-old girl in the fifth grade. According to her mother, Chandra has always been a shy child. Although she has generally done well in school, this past year her grades have started to slip. She has also become more irritable and withdrawn. At school, Chandra sits with two girls at lunch, but rarely talks to other children. She refuses to go to gym class, because she is shy about changing in front of the other girls. She also worries that she will do something stupid if she participates in physical activities. Chandra said that some girls at school have teased her. She has missed two field trips with the excuse of having a stomach ache, and is avoiding after-school activities. She says she doesn't like playing with kids from school and prefers to play with her younger sister. Chandra has trouble making eye contact and tends to mumble and speak quietly. She feels she can't make friends, as she doesn't know what to say to other kids.
The Story of 17-year-old Tim
Tim is 17 years old and in his last year of high school. Recently, he told his parents he is scared to give oral presentations or answer questions in class. Tim says he is afraid of making a mistake or saying something 'stupid'. He feels that he is constantly being judged by classmates and teachers. In an effort to get Tim to participate, his teacher has started calling on him more in class. According to Tim, when the teacher asks him a question, his 'mind goes blank' and he blushes. Tim is so worried about being embarrassed in class, he has started skipping school. Before the end of the school year, Tim has to give an oral presentation in one of his classes. He says he is very worried about it and has been having trouble sleeping.
What is Social Anxiety Disorder?
Children and teens with Social Anxiety Disorder have an excessive fear of social and/or performance situations. They are overly concerned that they may do something embarrassing or humiliating, or others will think badly of them. These children constantly feel "on stage", which leads to a great deal of self-consciousness. There are two categories of feared situations: performance-based and interaction-based.
| Performance Based | Interaction Based |
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These are situations where children and teens feel they are being observed by others. Examples include:
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These include situations where children and teens are interacting with others and developing closer relationships
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Note:
Some children or teens will fear only a single performance situation (such as public speaking), while others fear and avoid a wide range of social situations.
| Negative Thoughts | Anxiety Symptoms | Avoidance Behaviors |
| e.g. "I'm going to say something stupid" or "they won't like me" | e.g. Racing heart, stomachache, sweating, blushing, trembling. *Younger children may cry or tantrum | e.g. Avoid social situations or get other people to do things for them (such as have parents talk for them) |
Recognizing Social Anxiety
Children and teens with social anxiety tend to have the following symptoms:
- A fear or a lack of interest in trying new things
- Shy around strangers and a fear of speaking to unfamiliar people
- Uncomfortable when in the spotlight
- Avoiding eye-contact
- Mumbling or speaking quietly
- Difficulty with public speaking or being called on in class
- Few or no friends
- Staying on the edge of the group
- Sitting alone in the lunchroom or cafeteria
- Avoiding joining in at recess
- Worrying about negative evaluation or being judged (even when not being evaluated)
Things to look for at different ages:
Young children tend to experience a number of physical symptoms and may cry, whine, freeze, or cling to parents in social situations. They may refuse to participate in social activities or attend school. They also might not speak in certain situations (e.g., when meeting new or unfamiliar people).
In middle childhood, children may become more self-conscious and expect things to go "bad" when they are around other children. They might be overly concerned about others looking at them or talking about them.
Teens may be very self-focused and have negative thoughts about themselves. They may be more likely to mumble or avoid eye contact. They might "skip" school or abuse drugs or alcohol in order to feel less shy or inhibited. Teens may also have trouble dating or experience problems at work (e.g., difficulty with job interviews and interacting with co-workers and bosses).
Note:
The majority of children or teens with social anxiety go unnoticed by teachers or parents. They are not children who act out; rather, they are the children who try to remain invisible. These children tend to get recognized when they begin to miss school or their grades start to drop.
Click here for Home Management Strategies for Social Anxiety Disorder.
