Social Anxiety Disorder

What is Social Anxiety Disorder

  • adolescence onset
  • severe anxiety at times mixed with panic that occurs only in social situations
  • can be accompanied by blushing
  • The most common of all anxiety disorders
  • up to 30% of youth with SAD develop problems with alcohol use
  • can be severely debilitating and can result in social isolation

What does it look like in the classroom?

The following are ideas of what SAD may look like in a classroom. If you are concerned you need to share your concern of the behaviour (and not a diagnosis!) with the school mental health team or the child's parents.

  • refusal to speak
  • refusal to present in front of peers
  • avoidance of joining social activities
  • often prefer to be alone
  • demonstrate significant anxiety or anger when called upon to participate in class
  • respond to social situations with excuses of illness in order to avoid

Classroom Strategies specific to Social Anxiety Disorder


  • gradual desensitization - through small group, for example
  • do not force the student into situations that are humiliating; for example, forced speaking in front of the class
  • provide an option such as presenting to the teacher, then scaffolding to presenting to small group of friends etc.
  • reassure the student that he/she is not alone in feeling embarrassed
  • encourage relaxtion techniques, such as visulaization and deep breathing
  • allow for privacy/space to practice regulation strategies
  • ask friendly trusted classmates to invite the student to talk, play or join a club