Social Anxiety in Children

Social anxiety in children is more than just shyness; it involves a strong fear of social situations, where children worry about being judged or embarrassed. This can show up as avoiding activities like speaking in class or joining in group activities, or it might result in physical symptoms like stomach aches or shaking. Children may worry excessively before social situations and find it difficult to make friends or interact with others. However, with the right treatment for child social anxiety, including working with a psychologist, children can develop strategies to manage their anxiety and become more confident.

A little girl looking out on a field, representing treatment for child social anxiety.

What the research says about social anxiety in children

Children and teens often feel nervous or uncomfortable in new social situations or when meeting new people. Over time, these nerves typically pass after a conversation or two. However, in Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD), the child’s primary fear is of being negatively evaluated by others, whether those are adults or peers.

 

Symptoms of Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD)

Children with SAD worry constantly that others will judge them negatively. They fear that they will embarrass themselves by acting, performing, or speaking in a way that will provoke others to think poorly of them. For example, children might worry that others are looking at them and perceiving them as unattractive, stupid, or unlikeable.

As a result, children with social anxiety tend to avoid social situations or activities that make them feel uncomfortable. They may feel like they are the centre of attention and that everyone is watching or judging them.

 

Common Social Situations Children with SAD Avoid:

  • Speaking to adults or peers
  • Meeting or playing with other children
  • Going to playdates, birthday parties or sleepovers (for teens, this includes dating)
  • Attending childcare, preschool, or school
  • Eating or drinking in front of others
  • Speaking to authority figures (e.g., teachers, principals, doctors)
  • Speaking, or performing in front of others
  • Completing school work or assessments
  • Sitting tests or exams

When children with SAD cannot avoid a social situation, their worry and distress often exceed what is expected for their age. This anxiety builds before, during, and even after the social situation. They may continue to feel distressed even after reassurance from others. The worry reoccurs despite repeated experiences and warm-up periods, which can make the situation feel worse for them.

 

Physical Symptoms of Social Anxiety in Children

When faced with uncomfortable social situations, children may experience:

  • Poor eye contact
  • Flat facial expression
  • Silence and non-responsiveness
  • Tearfulness
  • Headaches, stomach aches, or nausea
  • Dizziness or fainting
  • Muscle tension or shaking
  • Body freezing or clinging
  • Heart palpitations and over-breathing

 

Treatment for Social Anxiety Disorder in Children

Research shows that treatment for child social anxiety, particularly Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), is one of the most effective approaches. In some cases, medication can help in conjunction with therapy, although CBT remains the first-line treatment.

Therapies typically include:

  • Education about Anxiety: Helping children and parents understand anxiety and identify triggers.
  • Emotion Recognition: Teaching children to recognise and talk about their emotions, with support for parents in validating and solving problems.
  • Behaviour Management: Strategies like relaxation techniques, planning for changes, and creating consistent routines to reduce anxiety.
  • Thought Challenging: Encouraging children to become aware of negative thinking patterns and to adopt a more realistic, less-anxious way of thinking.
  • Exposure and Response Prevention: Gradual, step-by-step exposure to anxiety-provoking situations, where children face their fears in manageable ways. With reward charts, children gain motivation and responsibility in overcoming their anxieties.

Our Psychologists are highly qualified, holding Masters or Doctorate degrees in Clinical Psychology. We
provide treatment for child social anxiety using Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and
other evidence-based treatments like Mindfulness and Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT).