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A new kind of problem is taking root in children growing up in nuclear families. They do not want to mingle with people. Apart from their parents, they do not get to know many people. They prefer to be engrossed in their mobile phones instead of social interaction. In the language of psychology, this condition is called ‘Social Anxiety Disorder’.
If children become victims of social anxiety, their performance in class keeps declining. They face difficulty in learning anything. Later on, they also prove to be weak in making personal and professional relationships. All these things together can keep them behind in their career and entire life.
Therefore, today in the relationship column, we will try to understand the social anxiety developing in children. Along with this, with the help of experts and research, we will also know its solution.
Social anxiety in childhood can have a negative impact on your entire life
According to a report by the Parenting Research Centre of Australia, people of any age can suffer from social anxiety, but it is especially harmful for children.
Due to social anxiety they get cut off from the rest of the world. This hinders their development. Because of this most of the avenues for their progress get blocked.
But if parents keep some things in mind, then social anxiety can be identified in childhood itself and its solution can be found.
According to the report of Parenting Research Center, these can be the symptoms of social anxiety in children-
Excessive obedience of children is a sign of danger
From moral education books to advice given by elders, children are told to be ‘obedient’. The more obedient a child is, the better he is considered to be.
But new research in psychology says that following every good or bad instruction without saying anything can be a symptom of social anxiety in children. According to the report, in case of social anxiety, children feel hesitant to say anything or express their opinion. Therefore, they agree to everything their parents or teachers say. However, it is not necessary that after giving consent, the child does that work.
Creativity ends in children who become obedient due to social anxiety. They also become incapable of identifying their likes and dislikes. They start depending on others for their decisions.
Symptoms of social anxiety can also be seen on the body
Although social anxiety is mainly related to the heart and mind, some of its symptoms can also be seen on the body. Children who feel social anxiety may exhibit some physical weaknesses as soon as they meet other people-
Step ladder approach will remove social anxiety of children
If for some reason a child develops social anxiety, then the step ladder approach can prove to be helpful in removing it. Parents can use this approach themselves at home.
The step ladder approach advocates gradually eliminating children’s fears and anxiety in a systematic manner. Just as one step follows another in a ladder, similarly, in the step ladder approach, we move from a smaller problem or fear to a bigger problem or fear.
Suppose a child is unable to talk to anyone in his class due to social anxiety, then under the step ladder approach, the parents will first try to talk to the child themselves. When the child becomes comfortable talking to the parents, he should be encouraged to interact with some acquaintances or neighboring children. In this way, gradually the social anxiety goes out of the child’s mind and he starts interacting with people. He makes many friends in the class and he does not feel hesitant in front of the teacher.
In critical situations, expert help is necessary
According to a report by the Parenting Research Center, it is easy to remove social anxiety in children between the ages of 4 and 6 years. During this period, parents can remove social anxiety of their child with their own efforts using a step ladder approach.
But if social anxiety persists for a long time, it becomes a part of the child’s nature. In such a situation, one may have to seek the help of a professional counselor to cure it. In some severe cases, medication may also be needed.
Apart from this, these measures can also prove helpful in removing social anxiety in children-
- Develop a friendly relationship with children. Talk to them about their social life and give them the right advice.
- Try to introduce your children to social life yourself. Do not put pressure on children in front of friends or relatives.
- If the child feels hesitant then do not ask him to recite poems or counting etc. in front of relatives.
- As much as possible, allow children to have positive social interactions.
- Be careful while using smartphone and social media.
- Sometimes micro bacteria present in the stomach can also cause social phobia or anxiety. In such a situation, staying away from fast food and eating healthy can prove to be helpful.