Do you have concerns that your child may have social anxiety? In this article, Watson’s Mental Health Therapist, JaQuia Lowe, M.A., provides insights and answers your questions about what social anxiety is, how you can recognize its signs and symptoms, and how to help your child if you suspect they may be struggling with social anxiety.
What is Social Anxiety?
Social anxiety is a mental health condition defined as having an ongoing fear of social situations. Social anxiety is based on the fear of being watched and judged in social situations, leading to intense and uncomfortable emotions.
Your child may be afraid of doing something or saying something in a social setting, certain that it will cause them to be ridiculed by their peers.
This may cause them to avoid being among crowds of people. Social anxiety places strain on everyday interactions with others due to the fear of being humiliated.
What does social anxiety look like in children?
Social Anxiety can present itself differently in everyone but there are some common signs and symptoms to keep an eye out for if you are concerned your child may be struggling:
- your child avoids leaving the house
- they stop engaging in things they used to enjoy doing
- your child gets flushed, has issues speaking, feels nauseated, sweats, or has a shaky voice when engaging in conversation with peers or in a social setting
- they avoid people and large crowds
- your child exhibits low self-esteem
- they are afraid of being judged and watched by others
It can be normal for your child, especially as they mature through adolescence, to want to be alone or to spend time in their rooms so they can have space.
However, suppose your child avoids leaving the house altogether or shows extreme distress at the idea of interacting with others or doing things they once enjoyed. In that case, it may be time to talk to a professional about your concerns.
Some children can also struggle with negative thought patterns such as assuming they know what others are thinking about them (and assuming they are negative thoughts) and predicting the worst possible outcome of a situation.
How do I help my child with Social Anxiety?
If you suspect your child has social anxiety or if they’ve received this diagnosis, you may be wondering how you can help. Here are a few suggestions to support your child as they cope with their anxiety:
- Validate your child’s emotions. It sounds simple, but validating how your child is feeling can help them feel less alone.
- Teach your child coping techniques such as deep breathing, positive self-talk, and grounding. Grounding uses the five senses to re-focus the body on the things they can touch, taste, smell, hear, and see. Stretching and listening to music can also help them cope with the anxiety.
- Model healthy social behavior habits for your child to help them reduce anxious emotions.
- Exposure can be helpful. Ease your child into social situations slowly. Try going somewhere public for a small period of time, encouraging your child to use coping strategies when they begin to feel anxious.
Start light and slow so your child feels like they are in control of the situation. Over time, try to build up the timeframe of exposure to longer periods.
Seeking professional help for your child can be very beneficial, especially if you are seeking an official diagnosis of a Social Anxiety disorder. This will help guide the treatment process and a professional can work with you and your child to monitor progress and adjust coping mechanisms as needed.
By JaQuia Lowe, MA | Outpatient Mental Health Therapist
JaQuia Lowe has extensive experience in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, treating children and adolescents. Ms. Lowe specializes in the use of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and works at the Watson Institute’s Psychological Services Outpatient Clinic.