What is Social Anxiety? Children are easily affected by their environment and nearly 15% are shy, withdrawn, and irritable with their surroundings.

Studies indicate that most anxiety cases tend to start around the age of six and before 20. A constant fear of being ridiculed, humiliated, nervousness, and self-consciousness, specially in unfamiliar situations or when watched or evaluated by others, that results in serious consequences in a child's social and academic development is known as social anxiety. In such situations the child feels lonely, disappointed over missed opportunity to make friends, and may not get the most out of school. In some cases, where this condition is left untreated it may develop into psychological problems. Causes In children, this problem is caused due to genetic and/or life events and experiences (environmental factors). Inherited social anxiety disorder results from at least one socially anxious parent, or in same cases from a deficit of the chemical serotonin in the brain. Inherited social anxiety is known as behavioral inhibition. It is a perceived tendency to react negatively or suspiciously to situations; new or old. 

Environment plays a vital role in shaping the Alpha Monster Advanced minds and thoughts of young children. As children observe keenly, it is possible that they imitate their parents and peers reactions to circumstances and emulate it. Overprotected children also develop the fear of being ridiculed, this combined with a constant fear to do well, result in anxiousness in them. Physically and mentally impaired children who have to deal with mean and damaging behavior from their surroundings also tend to withdraw from social life. Social anxiety is also seen very prominently among children who have been victims of physical and sexual abuse. How to Help Kids Overcome Social Anxiety? As it is a psychological disorder, it needs therapy to overcome this condition. Appropriate assistance from therapists, parents, and other family members go a long way in helping children overcome their fears. Parents play a pivotal role in instilling confidence. Praising the child in front of others, encouraging him, downplaying failures, reassurance of love and support, allowing the child to speak without interrupting, encouraging participation in specific activities, etc. will help them get over the fear of being in public. Teachers can sometimes do what the parents can't. They can bring out an assertiveness and confidence in children positively. However, the teachers should be equipped with knowledge and practical solutions to handle socially-anxious children/students. 

They should encourage participation by involving them in group as well as individual activities. They should improve their public speaking, debating, and impromptu speaking abilities. They should never single them out, unless one is confident that they will be able to handle the situation. Encouraging sports activity is also recommended, as playing together in team with children of the same age will help them get over their fear and shyness. Therapists may help the children to downplay their social phobia by individually working on finding the causes and using ingenuity to help them. Cognitive behavioral therapy is also widely used to help this condition. Therapists also help children to deal with stress through relaxation techniques and breathing exercises. Role-playing, social skills training, and recalling positive experiences are all part of therapy. Treatment Treatment involves medication and lifestyle changes. Medication aims at reliving anxiety symptoms, and it is prescribed with other alternative treatment like therapy. The most common anxiety medications are antidepressants, beta blockers, and benzodiazepines. Certain lifestyle changes bring a positive feel and wellness around them. Make sure they get undisturbed, adequate sleep and a healthy nutritious diet. Limit the intake of caffeine and aerated drinks. Avoid smoking, shouting, and screaming in front of them and do not expose them to harsh environment. 

Social anxiety in adults or children is not a disease, hence it has no complete cure. However, a combination of medications, lifestyle changes, therapy, emotional support, and encouragement will surely help maximize their potential and get past social phobia. Obsessive Compulsive Disorder Symptoms in Children What are the obsessive compulsive disorder symptoms in children? Read on to find out... TAGGED UNDER: Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) Advertisement Does your child count the stairs as he/she climbs up and down, or hates shaking someone's hand for fear of germs? Does he/she keeps asking whether he/she is going to die? Kids have finicky habits and phobias, but there is a difference between finicky habits and downright obsessive behavior. Compulsive behavior in children is a common childhood anxiety disorder, as common as asthma. Yet it is often ignored and the child grows up with his obsessions and fears magnified. What is Obsessive Compulsive Disorder? OCD is an anxiety disorder which is characterized by intrusive thoughts or 'worries' that produce fear or uneasiness in a person. The person carries out certain repetitive actions to ease that fear. The actions seem to dominate the person's life and interrupt his/hers daily routine. Such actions can take up hours of the day and the person's attitude can become psychotic and frenzied, especially if interrupted or unable to complete the actions. These actions vary from counting the stairs, cleaning objects unnecessarily or brushing teeth repeatedly. 

They are often called rituals or compulsions. OCD sufferers can also have disturbing visions or obsessions, which they cannot stop thinking about. They derive no pleasure from their actions and do not want to perform them, but are forced to. OCD symptoms in children are particularly disturbing, as they can cause severe emotional distress and anxiety to the child. In the age group 10-15, when friend circles are formed, OCD-affected kids are scared and anxious at the out-of-control rituals, and hence fail to socialize with others. Kids can understand that there is something wrong about the weird thoughts, they keep having but are embarrassed or scared to tell adults, due to fear of rejection. They also justify the rituals with a 'just so' attitude. Compulsive behavior in kids is usually diagnosed between 7 to 12 years of age. 1% of children in the U.S. exhibit OCD. OCD Symptoms and Warning Signs in Children Common Compulsions Dread of germs and dirt Obsession with waste Obsession with order and symmetry Fear of something bad happening to a loved one Superstitions about numbers and figures Sexual or violent thoughts Preoccupation with items Religious obsessions Common Rituals Repeated teeth brushing, showering, hand washing Writing, erasing, rewriting Going in and out of doorways Repeatedly checking if things are off, doors are locked or redoing homework Feeling something or someone is "dirty" and avoiding contact Ordering and arranging objects Counting and recounting Stashing and collecting objects Repetitive coughing or eye twitching Repeating words or phrases in the same order Following a ritual before bed Rituals to undo or prevent something from happening Remember that kids have active imaginations and do not confuse their actions with OCD symptoms. If your kid is noticeably distressed or anxious about the rituals or obsessions, then OCD is the cause. 

A typical impulse is to mask or hide their rituals. Parents often dismiss it as a phase, and sometimes the symptoms are so masked, that they are assumed to be a part of the child's normal behavior. Warning Indicators High usage of soap or tissue Raw, chapped hands from constant washing Drop in grades and test results Cancellations and eraser marks on test papers and homework Too much time spent doing homework Same questions asked over and over again A persistent fear of illness and dirt Fear of family members' health and life Dramatic increase in laundry Spends a lot of time getting ready for bed Collecting weird objects like finger clippings OCD Diagnosis and Treatment Consult a psychiatrist or a psychologist if your child exhibits some of the above OCD symptoms. Note down your child's rituals and actions, as well as the time taken for each. The doctor will ask for detailed information regarding your family's medical history, and will ask your child, age appropriate questions about his/her rituals and obsessions. If diagnosed, the two best obsessive compulsive disorder treatments to consider are behavioral therapy and medication. Cognitive behavioral psychotherapy (CBT) focuses on the obsessions and the thoughts behind them, and helps children in overcoming them. Kids are encouraged to face their fears and change their reactions to them. For example, if a child fears dirt, a therapist will show him/her how dirt is nothing to fear and play games with the kid that involve getting dirty.