Social Phobia in Children

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Apr 2, 2024.

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What is social phobia?

Social phobia is a type of social anxiety disorder that causes a strong fear of being judged while doing something in public. Examples include public speaking, performing in front of an audience, or working out at a gym. Social anxiety disorder causes worry or nervousness in social situations, such as meeting new people.

What increases my child's risk for social phobia?

The cause of social phobia is not known. Your child's risk is higher if a family member has social phobia or his or her parents are overprotective, demanding, or judge harshly.

What are the signs and symptoms of social phobia?

• Blushing, redness, sweating, or dry mouth
• Shaky voice or not being able to speak
• Crying, shaking, or trembling
• Fast or pounding heartbeat
• Stomachache, nausea, or diarrhea
• Problem focusing on a task
• Tantrums and being easily angered

How is social phobia diagnosed?

Your child's healthcare provider will ask you and your child about his or her fears, worries, and behavior. The provider may ask if any family members have an anxiety disorder. The provider may ask if your child is involved at school and has friends.

How is social phobia treated?

• Medicines help decrease anxiety and help your child feel calm and relaxed.
• Behavior therapies help your child understand feelings, learn to control actions, and improve behavior. Your child may go to therapy alone, with family, or with a group of other children. Your child may learn how to change his or her behavior by looking at the results of certain actions. Behavior therapy may include any of the following:
  • Cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) helps your child learn which thoughts bring anxiety. CBT can help him or her change these thoughts to make them more positive. Cognitive therapy may also help your child deal with conflict in a healthy way.
  • Exposure therapy helps your child face a feared situation in a controlled setting. During this therapy, your child is slowly placed in the feared situation. The goal of this therapy is to help decrease anxiety until your child can control the fear. This therapy is also be called desensitization therapy.
  • Social skills training may help your child learn how to interact with other people. Training may include teaching your child to maintain eye contact and smile. Your child may also learn how to accept praise and ask questions.
• Relaxation therapy includes exercises to calm your child's body and mind. The goal is to decrease your child's stress.

Treatment options

The following list of medications are related to or used in the treatment of this condition.

• Zoloft
• nortriptyline
• Effexor XR
• Paxil
• Paxil CR

How can I help my child with social phobia?

• Learn more about social phobia. Ask your child's healthcare provider for books or other information about social phobia. Work with your child's teacher to help your child in school. If you struggle with social phobia, learn ways to manage it. Your child learns from watching your behavior. Your child may be more likely to manage social phobia if he or she sees that you can.
• Be supportive and patient. Younger children may cry or act out as a way of showing anxiety. Try to remember that your child may have trouble controlling this behavior. Tell your child about your own anxiety and what helps you feel better. Do not force your child to do something. Start with small steps and build up. For example, have your child practice giving a speech to 1 person, such as a sibling or friend. Keep adding 1 person at a time until your child is comfortable speaking in front of a group.
• Help your child practice deep breathing to relax. Have your child take slow, deep breaths several times a day, and before social events. Tell your child to breathe in through the nose and out through the mouth. Activities such as yoga, meditation, or listening to music while deep breathing can help your child relax even more.
• Encourage your child to talk with someone. Your child may want to talk to a friend or to an adult who is not a parent.
• Help your child create a sleep routine. Regular sleep can help your child feel calmer during the day. Have your child go to sleep and wake up at the same times each day. Do not let your child watch television or use the computer right before bed. Your child's room should be comfortable, dark, and quiet.
• Offer your child a variety of healthy foods. Healthy foods include fruits, vegetables, low-fat dairy products, lean meats, fish, whole-grain breads, and cooked beans. Healthy foods can help your child feel less anxious and have more energy. Do not let your child have foods or drinks that are meant to increase energy. These can interfere with your child's sleep if taken in the afternoon or later. Do not let your child have caffeine. Caffeine can make anxiety symptoms worse.
• Talk to your adolescent about not smoking. Nicotine and other chemicals in cigarettes and cigars can increase anxiety. Ask your adolescent's provider for information if he or she currently smokes and needs help to quit. E-cigarettes and smokeless tobacco still contain nicotine. Talk to your adolescent's provider before he or she uses these products.

Call your local emergency number (911 in the US) if:

• Your child feels like hurting himself or herself, or others.
• Your child has trouble breathing, chest pain, or a fast heartbeat.
• Your child has a seizure.

When should I call my child's doctor or therapist?

• Your child is not eating well or eats more than usual.
• Your child is not sleeping well or sleeps more than usual.
• Your child's symptoms are getting worse.
• You have questions or concerns about your child's condition or care.

Care Agreement

You have the right to help plan your child's care. Learn about your child's health condition and how it may be treated. Discuss treatment options with your child's healthcare providers to decide what care you want for your child. The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.

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