As a kid, being shy and anxious during social interactions is common. Children usually overcome their fear once they start interacting with their peers and teachers at school. However, if shyness prolongs or a child develops a persistent fear of interacting with people, it might be an indication of social anxiety disorder.
“Children generally feel anxious when they meet new people. But if this stress is affecting their social relations and daily activities, their fear can be a part of a larger issue,” says Dr Imran Noorani, director of Mind Meadow, an organisation for child development and mental health services, and consultant chief psychologist at Child Development Clinic, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, New Delhi.
Dr Subhash Rao, Consultant Pediatrician at Fortis Hiranandani Hospital, Mumbai mentions that taking steps to diagnose social anxiety disorder in children as young as 5-6 years makes the treatment easier. “At the age of 14-15 years, the treatment becomes very difficult although not impossible,” says Dr Rao.
Signs of social anxiety disorder
According to Dr Rao, this disorder is common during adolescence and puberty. He says, “A parent must take precautions when a teacher says that their child is sitting alone and not communicating properly in school.”
Experts add that a child being introverted is different from having social anxiety. Children with social anxiety and introverts exhibit distinct characteristics. A child being introverted and hence quiet should not be mistaken for social anxiety, doctors say.
According to Moumita Ganguly, Rehabilitation Psychologist and Special Educator at M’S Clinic, Kolkata, children with social anxiety disorder exhibit the following signs:
- Avoid social gatherings
- Getting cold sweats (becoming chilly while sweating) before a social interaction
- Fear of embarrassment
- Intense and unreasonable fear of humiliation
A child with social anxiety disorder may also give excuses like stomach aches or not feeling well to avoid social gatherings, even to attend school, says Dr Anil M U, Lead Consultant Paediatrician at Sparsh Hospital, Bengaluru.
What causes social anxiety disorder?
Dr Noorani lists out some probable reasons:
- Inherited traits and environmental factors like social humiliation, teasing and bullying can trigger social anxiety disorder in children.
- The amygdala (region of the brain primarily associated with emotional processes) plays a vital role in controlling response to fear. People with an overactive amygdala have a high fear response which might cause social anxiety.
- Kids facing verbal, emotional or physical abuse are also prone to developing this condition.
- Societal expectations on a child can also be a risk factor.
- Anxiety regarding body image can accelerate the condition.
Consequences of social anxiety disorder
Social anxiety disorder can control one’s life if left untreated. “It causes low self-esteem, hypersensitivity [to social situations] and isolation. A child may also show low academic performance and may even have suicidal tendencies in severe cases,” says Dr Noorani.
He further adds that refusing to go to school can cause interference in their education and poor development of social skills.
Dr Rao recalls a recent case of a 14-year-old teenager whose parents came to him when their daughter’s academic performance went downhill. Sayani (name changed) had body image issues on account of being overweight. She also had a broken pronunciation leading to her social anxiety disorder. “After several counselling sessions, she opened up about her problems and gradually started interacting socially. She is doing well now,” he mentions.
Role of parents in dealing with social anxiety
Keeping a journal of social situations in which, a child is facing anxiety helps to decide the treatment course, says Dr Noorani.
Parents play an important role in helping their children overcome their fear. “The first step is to identify the cause of their child’s social anxiety disorder,” says Ms Ganguly.
Dr Rao advises making small, gradual changes. “Start by taking your child to small family gatherings and slowly extend it to attending social events like community gatherings. Complimenting your child in such gatherings can slowly help them overcome their fear.”
Parents need to be patient and not compare them with other kids. “If a child still has an irrational fear despite putting in efforts, parents need to seek help from experts,” says Ms Ganguly.
Social anxiety disorder treatment in children
There are different types of behavioural therapies depending on age, family history and mental health condition. “Thorough check-ups are done if any other anxiety problems exist. Medications are prescribed in severe cases,” says Ganguly.
Dr Rao says that getting help at a young age helps a child with social anxiety disorder overcome their condition and grow into a healthy adult. “At the time of puberty, treatment can get difficult, although not impossible.”
Dr Noorani explains, “Social anxiety therapy includes cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and other kinds of interpersonal therapeutic interventions or simple behavioural modifications which can be incorporated into young children.”
Takeaways
- It is common to feel socially anxious as kids. But when the stress of interacting socially affects a child’s daily life, it might be an indication of social anxiety disorder.
- Commonly seen during puberty, social anxiety disorder can be caused by several environmental factors like bullying, teasing and social humiliation.
- Experts recommend getting help at a young age as treatment during puberty is difficult.
- Parents play an important role in understanding the cause of social anxiety in their kids.
2 Responses
Absolutely true
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