Social phobia usually emerges in the mid-teens. Young people with this disorder have a constant fear of social situations or when they have to perform such as speaking in class or eating in public. The fear is often accompanied by physical symptoms such as sweating, blushing, heart palpitations, shortness of breath, or muscle tenseness.Young people with social phobia typically respond to these feelings by avoiding the feared situation. For example, they may stay home from school or avoid parties. Young people with social phobia are often overly sensitive to criticism, have trouble being assertive, and suffer from low self-esteem. Social phobia can be limited to specific situations, so the adolescent may fear dating and avoid recreational events but can still be confident in academic and work situations.

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)

Obsessive-compulsive disorder typically begins in early childhood or adolescence. Children can show symptoms at a very young age and may have frequent and uncontrollable thoughts and may perform routines or rituals in an attempt to eliminate the thoughts. Those with the disorder often repeat behaviours to avoid some imagined consequence. For example, a compulsion common to people with OCD is excessive hand washing due to fear of germs. Other common compulsions include counting, repeating works silently, and rechecking completed tasks. These obsessions and compulsions take up so much time that they interfere with daily living and cause a young person a great deal of anxiety.

Panic disorder - panic attacks - children

Children and adolescents with panic disorder have unexpected and repeated periods of intense fear or discomfort along with other symptoms such as racing heartbeat or feeling short of breath. These panic attacks can last from minutes to hours. Panic disorder often begins during adolescence, although it may start during childhood. Panic attacks can interfere with a child's or adolescent’s relationships, schoolwork and, and normal development. Children and adolescents with panic disorder may begin to feel anxious most of the time, even when they are not having a panic attack. Some children with panic disorder develop depression and may be at risk of suicidal behaviour. As an attempt to decrease anxiety, some adolescents with panic disorder will use alcohol or drugs.

Although this information may sound depressing, help is at hand, new treatments for anxiety and panic attacks in children and adults are available. So don't delay, get help right now.

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