Social Phobia In Children

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:

• Social phobia (SP), also called social anxiety disorder, is a common anxiety problem seen in school-aged children. Older children and adolescents (teenagers) with SP have a phobia (strong, ongoing fear) of being in social situations. This may be a situation where your child has contact with people or when he must perform in public. Your child may be very shy, quiet, and self-conscious around other people, even those he knows. Younger children may get selective mutism (not talking) where they cannot talk at all in social situations. Your child feels very uncomfortable in settings where he meets new people or might be judged by others. He fears that he will do or say something that will embarrass himself. Common fears include speaking in public, reading aloud, eating or writing in public, or playing sports or music.
  
  
• Your child's caregiver will need information about your child's health history and family history of having anxiety problems. He may want to know about your child's behavior, such as at school and in social activities. He will need to know about your child's fears and worries, and what makes them worse. He will assess all of these in looking for signs and symptoms of SP. Tests may be done to check if your child's symptoms are caused by medical conditions. Behavioral (how one acts) and other therapies, and medicines may be used to treat your child's SP. With treatment, your child's social phobia may be relieved and his quality of life improved. Getting treatment is important to prevent him from having worse problems from SP when he is an adult.

AFTER YOU LEAVE:

Ask your child's caregiver when to return for a follow-up visit. Keep all appointments. Write down any questions you and your child may have. This way you will remember to ask these questions during your child's next visit.

Medicines:

• Keep a list of your child's medicines: Keep a written list of the medicines your child takes, the amounts, and when and why they are taken. Bring the list of your child's medicines or the medicine bottles when you visit your child's caregivers. Ask your child's caregiver for more information about the medicines. Do not give any medicines to your child without first asking your child's caregiver. This includes prescriptions, over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, herbs, or food supplements.
  
  
• Give your child's medicine as directed: Always give your child's medicine as directed by his caregivers. Call your child's caregiver if you think your child's medicines are not helping. Call if you feel your child is having side effects. Do not quit giving the medicines to your child until you discuss it with your child's caregiver.

Medicine monitoring: Your child's caregiver will watch how your child responds to his medicines. Tell your child's caregiver about unwanted side effect or problems your child may be having with his medicines. Sometimes the kind and amount of medicines your child is taking may need to be changed. The goal is for the medicines to work well, and have the least amount of side effects. Your child's caregiver will also talk about how long your child may need to take his medicines.

Working with your child:

• Be a positive role model for your child. Learn ways to control your own anxiety. Your child learns from watching your behavior. He may be more likely to face his fears if he sees that you can do it. Be careful that your actions do not support or strengthen your child's social phobia behavior. These actions may include you avoiding anxiety-causing situations or drinking alcohol to control your anxiety. Talk to your child's caregiver if you are having trouble controlling your own anxiety.
  
  
• Encourage your child to socialize. Help your child develop his social skills. Help him face his fears and develop ways of coping, such as thinking about other things. Praise and reward your child when needed.
  
  
• Learn more about social phobia. You can read and visit websites about SP. The more you know about your child's condition, the better you can help him. Work with your child's teacher to help your child in school. You can also read books and find other guidance on how to manage your child's anxiety.

For support and more information: Accepting that your child has social phobia can be hard. Your child's condition may make you feel angry, sad, or frightened. These feelings are normal. Talk to your child's caregivers, family, or friends about your feelings. Your child's caregivers can help your family better understand how to support your child with SP. You and your family may join a support group. Contact any of the following:

• American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
  3615 Wisconsin Avenue NW
  Washington, DC 20016
  Phone: 1-202-966-7300
  Web Address: http://www.aacap.org
  

• Anxiety Disorders Association of America (ADAA)
  8730 Georgia Avenue, Suite 600
  Silver Spring, MD 20910
  Phone: 1-240-485-1001
  Web Address: http://www.adaa.org
  

• National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), Public Information & Communication Branch
  6001 Executive Boulevard, Room 8184, MSC 9663
  Bethesda, MD 20892-9663
  Phone: 1-301-443-4513
  Phone: 1-866-615-6464
  Web Address: http://www.nimh.nih.gov/
  

CONTACT A CAREGIVER IF:

• You and your child cannot make it to your next meeting with his caregiver.
  
  
• Your child has problems with eating or is eating more than usual.
  
  
• Your child is not able to sleep well or is sleeping more than usual.
  
  
• Your child's social phobia is getting worse or he is having new signs or symptoms of mental health problems.
  
  
• You have questions or concerns about social phobia or your child's treatment.

SEEK CARE IMMEDIATELY IF:

• Your child feels like hurting himself or others.
  
  
• Your child has trouble breathing, chest pains, or a fast heartbeat.
  
  
• Your child just had a seizure (convulsion).

Copyright © 2008 Thomson Healthcare Inc. All rights reserved. Information is for End User's use only and may not be sold, redistributed or otherwise used for commercial purposes.

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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