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Social Phobia in Children

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Mar 5, 2023.

Social phobia, or social anxiety disorder, is a condition that causes a strong fear of and anxiety about social situations. Your child may have a social phobia of public speaking or performing in front of others.

DISCHARGE INSTRUCTIONS:

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

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

Call your child's doctor or therapist if:

  • 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.

Medicines:

  • Medicines help decrease anxiety and help your child feel calm and relaxed.
  • Give your child's medicine as directed. Contact your child's healthcare provider if you think the medicine is not working as expected. Tell the provider if your child is allergic to any medicine. Keep a current list of the medicines, vitamins, and herbs your child takes. Include the amounts, and when, how, and why they are taken. Bring the list or the medicines in their containers to follow-up visits. Carry your child's medicine list with you in case of an emergency.
  • Do not give aspirin to children younger than 18 years. Your child could develop Reye syndrome if he or she has the flu or a fever and takes aspirin. Reye syndrome can cause life-threatening brain and liver damage. Check your child's medicine labels for aspirin or salicylates.

Take your child to therapy:

Your child may go to therapy alone, with family, or with a group of other children. Therapy may include any of the following:

  • Behavioral 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:
    • Exposure, or desensitization, therapy helps your child face a feared object or situation in a controlled setting. During this therapy, your child is slowly placed in contact with the feared object or situation. The goal of this therapy is to help decrease anxiety until your child can control the fear.
    • Relaxation therapy includes exercises to calm your child's body and mind. The goal is to decrease your child's stress.
    • Social skills training teaches your child how to get along with other people. Training may include teaching your child to maintain eye contact and smile. He or she may also learn how to accept praise and ask questions.
  • Cognitive therapy helps your child learn which thoughts bring anxiety. It 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. He or she may learn how to feel more in control.

Treatment options

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

Help your child manage his or her 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.
  • Encourage your child to socialize. Help your child develop social skills. Help him or her face fears and develop ways of coping.
  • Be a positive role model for your child. If you struggle with anxiety, learn ways to control it. Your child learns from watching your behavior. He or she may be more likely to face fears if he or she sees that you can.

Follow up with your child's doctor or therapist as directed:

Write down your questions so you remember to ask them during your visits.

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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.

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

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