Pediatric Social Phobia

Social phobia is an intense fear of performing in front of people or other social situations where the child or teen feels embarrassed, humiliated or the focus of more attention than he or she wants. Children and teens who suffer from social phobia constantly fear looking foolish or stupid in front of other children and teens or in front of adults. They will avoid social situations or will enter social situations with extreme anxiety, nervousness and stress. Children and teens with social phobia often have few or no friends and participate in very few social activities.

Social phobia is different from shyness. Shy children can be uneasy and quiet around others, but they do not necessarily avoid situations that make them feel uncomfortable. Also, after a short period, shy children usually feel more comfortable. By comparison, social phobia disrupts a child’s or teen’s life by making it difficult to deal with school or social relationships. Symptoms must be present for at least six months for a child to be diagnosed with social phobia.

These are some of the most common symptoms of social phobia in children:
- Avoiding or refusing to go to school
- Refusing to speak in socials settings or speaking in a very soft or low tone
- Showing poor social skills (for example, poor eye contact)
- Being afraid to use public restrooms
- Being afraid to eat in front of others
- Refusing to speak on the phone
- Expressing wants and thoughts with great difficulty
- Being afraid to date (in teens)
- Refusing to give public performances of difficulty giving them
- Being afraid of being called on in class
At Children’s National Hospital, child psychologists, psychiatrists and other mental health professionals may interview the child or teen and his or her parents. We may have the patient and family fill out questionnaires about different aspects of the child’s or teen’s life, including physical health concerns, difficulties at school or behavior with friends and family.
Following a full assessment, a member of the Children’s National care team will discuss treatment options with the child or teen and his or her family. Both cognitive behavioral treatment (CBT) and certain types of medicines are helpful in treating social phobia in children and teens.
- CBT teaches new social skills so children and teens can feel more confident in social settings. Children and teens are guided in developing a list of situations that are challenging, such as attending a party, talking on the phone, or asking for help. With the help of a therapist, children and teens learn to gradually face these situations using new skills.
- Medicines most often used to treat social phobia are called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). These medications affect neurotransmitters (nerve cells in the brain that carry signals) linked to anxiety.

Anxiety Treatment at Children's National Hospital

The Anxiety Disorders Program is a specialized treatment clinic devoted to carefully assessing and effectively treating a wide range of anxiety disorders common among children and adolescents. Discover more about the treatments we offer.

Learn about treatment