Marked and persistent fear of performing an action in social situations where one may encounter unfamiliar people or be in front of others. Exposure to the feared social situation produces anxiety, fear of embarrassment, and panic attacks are common. Public speaking, attending social gatherings, demonstrating in public, speaking to strangers, and encountering an authority figure are the most common social fears. Children and adolescents may experience avoidance of anxiety-provoking situations, which can lead to chronic distress. In addition, children and adolescents may not realize that their fears are irrational or intense.
Social phobia occurs in approximately 1% of children and adolescents. It is more common in the older population and is one of the most common anxiety disorders in adults. It has been reported that social phobia is not recognized and underdiagnosed in children and adolescents, and these children are mostly dismissed as “shy”. It is observed 14.9% in the clinical sample. Children and adolescents with social phobia fear that others will find them stupid, awkward, repulsive, or do or say something embarrassingly stupid. Somatic symptoms are common; increased heart rate, sweating, flushing, tremors, gastrointestinal disorders, and decreased control over behavior may occur. In those with social phobia, negative cognition was more focused on intense anxiety about shame, negative evaluation, and rejection.
TREATMENT
Cognitive behavioral methods can be successfully applied in social phobia. It is important to combine social skills development and anxiety-reducing techniques with cognitive behavioral methods. Social phobia has a successful treatment with medication.
