Everyone gets a little nervous when they have to enter into brand new social situations, but if you find that you or your child try to avoid social settings at all costs, this may be a sign of social anxiety.  Here are some of the signs and symptoms of the condition, as well as treatment options that you may want to consider.



Social anxiety is characterized by extreme nervousness or panic attacks in relation to certain social situations. Some individuals only experience this when they have to eat in front of other people or engage in public speaking, but some patients who suffer from social anxiety cannot be in any social situation without starting to panic. This is due to the fact that these individuals feel extremely self-conscious about the way they will behave when they're in front of others, and they are so concerned with other's opinions that they don't have enough confidence in themselves when they are around other people.

If you notice that your child starts to display embarrassment at his or her own actions, even around you, or that they are afraid to go to school or age-appropriate social functions, it may be time to seek help. While simply talking to your child and letting them know there's nothing to be afraid of may not help completely, you can definitely use this as part of their overall therapy.

Going to a counselor that will allow your child to express his or her feelings may be a great suggestion. Younger children can draw pictures about the times they feel nervous around other people, and can practice being in mock social settings at the counselor's office in order to make everyday interactions easier.

There is no standard medication for this anxiety disorder because each individual expresses their nervousness differently. Variants of the social anxiety medication Paxil may be an efficient drug for older children and adults. It will help them to remain calm and confident when interacting with others. Moreover, a child dosage of Prozac may also prove to be effective.

Social anxiety in children and in some cases, adults may also be a symptom of certain types of autism or ADHD.

Another option in addition to speaking with your doctor regarding medication, there are also some natural supplements available that can be tried. Vetiver oils can be diffused in your child's bedroom while they're sleeping, thus calming down their nervous system and helping them feel better.  Lavender oils can help rid their body of impurities regulating the blood stream.

Also make sure that you're taking enough vitamins, or giving your children the type of nutrition they need. This might also improve regular social anxiety. You might start to see improvement after some months.

Also Check out http://guigary25.livejournal.com/ and http://MentalHealthSupportSite.com for more details.

by Gerd Petersen