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Social Anxiety Disorder in Children and Adolescents

Epidemiology, Diagnosis, and Treatment

  • Therapy In Practice
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Abstract

Social anxiety disorder (SOC) is characterized by marked and persistent fear of one or more social performance situations in which the person is exposed to unfamiliar people or to possible scrutiny. The person fears that she or he might act in a way that will be humiliating or embarrassing. Children and adolescents with this disorder often have great impairment in their academic performance, social skills, peer relationships, and family life. Early diagnosis is vital. Primary care providers are in a unique situation to first diagnose and treat SOC in children and adolescents.

There is evidence of successful pharmacologic and psychosocial treatment in pediatric SOC. Serotonin reuptake inhibitors, which are considered first-line medications for SOC, have shown promising results in open-label and double-blind trials. Studies have demonstrated that psychosocial treatments, specifically cognitive-behavioral therapy and group therapy, are efficacious in pediatric SOC. There is some evidence that the use of combination therapy, both pharmacology and psychosocial treatment, is beneficial in the management of pediatric SOC.

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Acknowledgements

No sources of funding were used to assist in the preparation of this review. Dr Moira Rynn has served as a consultant to and received research grants from Wyeth, Pfizer, and Eli Lilly.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychiatry, Mood and Anxiety Disorders Clinic, University of Pennsylvania, 3535 Market Street, Suite 670, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19104, USA

    Sarosh Khalid-Khan, Maria-Paz Santibanez, Carolyn McMicken & Moira A. Rynn

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  1. Sarosh Khalid-Khan
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  2. Maria-Paz Santibanez
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  3. Carolyn McMicken
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  4. Moira A. Rynn
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Correspondence to Sarosh Khalid-Khan.

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Khalid-Khan, S., Santibanez, MP., McMicken, C. et al. Social Anxiety Disorder in Children and Adolescents. Pediatr-Drugs 9, 227–237 (2007). https://doi.org/10.2165/00148581-200709040-00004

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