What is social phobia and how do I know if my child is currently experiencing it?
Social phobia is an intense fear of becoming humiliated or embarrassed in social situations. It often begins around early adolescence, but it can begin at even younger ages. Children who suffer from social phobia might appear to be excessively shy and may fear that they will do or say something in front of others that will promote embarrassment. Some children and adolescents believe that others are more competent than they are. Common fears of children/adolescents with social phobia are fears of public speaking, fears of going to social situations such as parties, fears of talking with authority figures such as teacher or a principal, fears of speaking to others in public. Other less common fears may involve fears of using a public restroom, fears of eating out, ordering food by themselves, talking on the phone, or fears of writing on the chalkboard in front of other peers. Social phobia is different from shyness. People with shyness can be uneasy around others, but they don’t necessar
