Social Anxiety in Children

Social anxiety is common among all people. At some time in our life we all fear our reactions and behavior in a social environment. Saying and doing the right thing has so much emphasis laid on it, that it almost erodes individuality.

What is Social Anxiety?

Children are extremely vulnerable to their environment and most affected too. Social anxiety is also known as social phobia in children. Studies indicate that most anxiety cases tend to start around the age of six and before 20. A constant fear of being ridiculed, humiliated, nervousness, and self-consciousness, specially in unfamiliar situations or when watched or evaluated by others, that results in serious consequences for a child's social and academic development is known as social anxiety. To dismiss it as a "child thing" is perhaps the most foolish action any parent, teacher, or the caretaker can do. Untreated social phobia or anxiety develops into psychological problems and in some severe instances even suicide.

What are Its Causes?

In children, this problem is caused due to genetic and/or environmental behavior. Inherited social anxiety disorder results from at least one socially anxious parent, or in same cases from a deficit of the chemical serotonin in the brain. Inherited social anxiety is known as Behavioral Inhibition. It is a perceived tendency to react negatively or suspiciously to situations; new and old. Nearly 15% children are shy, withdrawn, and irritable with their surroundings.

Environment plays a vital role in shaping the minds and thoughts of young children. As children observe keenly, it is possible that they imitate their parents and peers reactions to circumstances and emulate it. Overprotected children also develop the fear of being ridiculed, that combined with a constant fear to do well and overbearing parents, result in anxiousness in them. Physically and mentally impaired children who have to deal with mean and damaging behavior from their surroundings also tend to withdraw from social life. Social anxiety is also seen very prominently among children who have been victims of physical and sexual abuse.

How to Help Kids Overcome Social Anxiety?

As social anxiety is a psychological disorder it needs therapy to overcome this condition. Appropriate assistance from therapists, parents, other family members, and academicians go a long way in helping children overcome their fears. Parents play a pivotal role in instilling confidence. Praising the child in front of others, encouraging words, downplaying failures, reassurance of love and support, allowing the child to speak without interrupting, encouraging participation in children specific activities, etc. will help them get over the fear of being in public.

Teachers can sometimes do what the parents can't. They can bring out an assertiveness and confidence in children positively. However, the teachers should be equipped with knowledge and practical solutions to handle socially anxious children/students. They should encourage participation by involving them in group as well as individual activities. They should improve their public speaking, debating and impromptu speaking abilities. They should never single them out, unless one is confident that they will be able to handle the situation. Encouraging sports activity for them is recommended too, as playing together in team with children of the same age, and maybe of the same disorder, will help them get past their fear and shyness.

Therapists help the children to downplay their social phobia by individually working on finding the causes and using ingenuity to help them. Cognitive-behavioral therapy is widely used to help anxious children. As it works on the premise of understanding the how, why, when, where, who and which of feelings and reactions, it becomes easy to pin-point the exact problem. Therapists also help children to deal with stress through relaxation techniques and breathing exercises. Role-playing, social skills training, recalling positive experiences are all part of therapy.

Available Treatment Options

Treatment involves medication and lifestyle changes. Medication aims at reliving anxiety symptoms, and is prescribed with other alternative treatment like therapy. The most common anxiety medications are antidepressants, beta blockers and benzodiazepines. Certain lifestyle changes bring a positive feel and wellness around the children. Make sure the children get undisturbed, adequate sleep and a healthy nutritious diet. Limit intake of caffeine and aerated drinks. Avoid smoking, and shouting and screaming in front of the children. Do not expose them to harsh environment.

Social anxiety in adults or children is not a disease, hence it has no complete cure. However, a combination of medications, lifestyle changes, therapy and lots of love, support and encouragement will surely help children maximize their individual potential and get past social phobia.