Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD) - or a social phobia is fear of being embarrassed in social situations such as speaking in the classroom or eating in public. Everyone knows the feeling before speaking in front of public or meeting a group of people for the first time. It feels like butterflies in your stomach, your palms sweat and your face goes red.

These are normal feelings when confronting a new social situation. But if you are suffering from social anxiety disorder, the intense fear of being scrutinized and negatively evaluated by others may be severe and you may become “sick with fear”. This can happen in normal day to day situations, where there is no obvious threat, for example making a phone call, ordering food in a restaurant or signing a paper at school.

Typical age of onset is 13. Social anxiety in children can be intense and can lead to difficulties completing school or having or making friends. Children with social anxiety disorder experience fear of being scrutinized and negatively judged by others in social situations. Physical symptoms are palpitations, trembling, blushing, nausea and also somatic complaints. Children may start avoiding social situations, have low self esteem, start missing school and it can even lead to teenage depression and suicidal behaviour. If untreated, social anxiety disorder in children can lead to alcohol or substance abuse, panic disorder, anxiety disorder or even suicidal thoughts or behaviour.

Take a look at The Linden Method Program which is designed to help with Social Anxiety in adults and children.

Children with social anxiety disorder may realize that their fear and shyness are excessive and unreasonable, but they have no control over it and are unable to change it. They feel terrified that they will embarrass or humiliate themselves and their anxiety interferes with their daily life and social interactions. Your child may have generalized social anxiety, when they feel anxious in more or less all social situations or they may suffer with a social anxiety in one specific situation, such as public speaking or coming to a children’s party. Or they become anxious in a situation where they are likely to be observed, such as initiating a conversation or approaching a stranger.

The cause of social anxiety disorder in children is unknown. Studies suggest that factors such as the environment, biological and genetic factors play a role. It often runs in families and is more common in females than males.

Fortunately, social anxiety in children can be treated and most children and their parents who seek treatment for social anxiety and other anxiety disorders see significant improvement and enjoy a better and happier life.

This condition should be taken seriously by parents and every effort should be made to help a child to become more self confident and to overcome the fear of being embarrassed by facing the stressors or individuals (usually other children in the classroom etc.) causing the anxiety. Your child deserves a happy and anxiety free life and by helping them to overcome the anxiety, you will enable your child to take advantage of all opportunities life has to offer and be confident and happy.

There are several successful techniques available to treat social anxiety disorder such as cognitive behavioural therapy, relaxation techniques, anxiety management techniques, medications to control the symptoms of anxiety or now increasingly popular Linden Method using neuroplasticity. Click below to learn more.