Social Anxiety Disorder Children
Many people, children and adults included, find themselves feeling nervous and shy in a new social environment; fear of social embarrassment is normal , but social anxiety disorder children may experience frequent and overwhelming anxiety which interferes with his or her ability make friends, participate in school activities, read aloud in class, or even using a public bathroom. Social anxiety disorder children may often complain of headaches, stomachaches, butterflies, or shortness of breath, and they may often miss school because of their fears. Social anxiety disorder children may refuse to participate in childhood activities such as playing with other children, sports, musical recitals, birthday parties, or any other situation when they feel they may be "looked at" or laughed at. Social anxiety disorder children rarely grow out of their anxiety on their own and require some type of treatment; if left untreated, the symptoms may continue into adulthood and interfere with an individual's social and business interactions. Common treatments for social anxiety disorder include gradual exposure to feared situations, group therapy, and in some cases, treatment with antidepressants or antianxiety medications. With treatment and positive reinforcement, most children can go on to experience a normal social life.
What are the most common symptoms of social anxiety disorder children? The most recognizable symptoms of social anxiety disorder include speaking softly, avoiding eye contact, trembling, nervousness, fidgeting, fear of eating, or speaking in public, and forming irrational conclusions - "if I am nervous, I must be doing the wrong thing" "nobody likes me," and so on.
What causes social anxiety disorder children? While the precise causes of social anxiety disorder in adults as well as children are not yet fully understood, there appears to be a genetic predisposition. There may be a traumatic event that triggers future anxiety in social situations, or there may be no apparent environmental trigger at all.
How are social anxiety disorder children diagnosed? There are no laboratory tests for diagnosing social anxiety. Anxiety disorders are typically diagnosed by the doctor's and parents' observation of the symptoms in social situations, although certain lab tests may be ordered to rule out an underlying medical issue which may cause the symptoms.
What are the most common types of social anxiety disorder children? Some children may only experience social anxiety disorder in certain situations, such as having to speak in class, during a perfomance or recital, or during gym class. Other children experience overwhelming fear in almost any situation where they fear they may be observed.
How is anxiety disorder treated in children? Treatment of anxiety in both adults and children is more successful the sooner it is addressed. The most common form of treatment for children anxiety disorder is psychotherapy and positive reinforcement, although in more difficult cases, antidepressants may be prescribed for social anxiety disorder children.
