Quick Facts
Social Anxiety Disorder in Children and Adolescents
(Social Phobia)
What is social anxiety disorder?
Anxiety is being worried, scared, or nervous. Lots of people, including children, are anxious in social situations, for example, when they have to speak in class or talk to strangers at a party.
In social anxiety disorder:
Children and teens with social anxiety disorder commonly:
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Worry they'll be made fun of for giving a wrong answer or saying something silly
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Think they'll be humiliated by how anxious they seem, such as by blushing or sweating, when people are watching
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Freeze up, withdraw, or cry when they have to be around people they don’t know
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Cling to their parents
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Sometimes, refuse to go to school or social events or even leave their house
Some children also get physical symptoms right before they have to go to school or a social event:
