Social Phobia, School Age
You said that your child is very fearful in social situations. S/he may be afraid to
interact with other children. Your child may also be afraid of performing front of
others. You may have noticed that your child is more afraid of these things than s/he
used to be. Your child may be having problems at school because s/he is so afraid.
For example, your child may be so nervous that s/he refuses to talk in class. Your
child may also get very upset when s/he has to give a report in front of the class.
Children who have the problems you stated often have Social Phobia.
You said your child acts in some of the following ways. These are symptoms of Social Phobia:
- Very afraid when others tell him/her s/he is doing things the wrong way.
- S/he has a fear that s/he will make a fool of him/herself.
- S/he is nervous or fearful around children s/he doesn't know
- Crying
- Tantrums
- "Freezing"
- Clinging or staying close to a familiar person
- Avoids people s/he doesn't know
- Refuses to talk/perform in front of others
Adapted in part from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Diagnostic and
Statistical Manual for Primary Care (DSM-PC) (1996) , and the American Psychiatric
Association (APA) Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders: Fourth
Edition (1994) .
Why Social Phobia is Dangerous:
- A bad cycle occurs with children who have social phobia.
- Shy children tend to avoid social situations.
- The more they avoid these situations, the more it
interferes with normal activities such as making friends or
playing in the school yard.
- Eventually, these children don't develop the proper
social skills and as a result, appear different to their peers.
- Because they appear different, other kids treat them different.
- These children know they are being treated differently and
their worst fears have been realized! They avoid more.
Things you can do to help your child with Social Phobia:
- Invite another child over. Or, reward your child for inviting a friend over.
- Plan a "no fail" activity for them- such as watching a movie.
- Gradually, help your child invite people over for different activities.
You said that your child is very fearful in social situations. S/he may be afraid to interact with other children. Your child may also be afraid of performing front of others. You may have noticed that your child is more afraid of these things than s/he used to be. Your child may be having problems at school because s/he is so afraid. For example, your child may be so nervous that s/he refuses to talk in class. Your child may also get very upset when s/he has to give a report in front of the class. Children who have the problems you stated often have Social Phobia.
You said your child acts in some of the following ways. These are symptoms of Social Phobia:
Adapted in part from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Primary Care (DSM-PC) (1996)
Why Social Phobia is Dangerous:
Things you can do to help your child with Social Phobia: