Social anxiety disorder in adolescence and implications for school settings

Abstract

Social anxiety disorder (SAD), sometimes referred to as social phobia, is a disorder in which an individual experiences fear of negative evaluation in social situations. The disorder has an early age of onset with approximately 60% of individuals retrospectively reporting symptom onset prior to 17 years of age (Rosellini et al., 2013). SAD is also common with a prevalence rate of 7% in community samples of children and adolescents (Beesdo-Baum, Knappe & Pine, 2009). Although SAD can be effectively treated, many adolescents do not seek help. As a result, they experience impaired functioning in a number of life domains such as academics and relationships that persist into adulthood and impact their quality of life. The education system has the potential to address the promotion, prevention, and intervention of mental health problems such as SAD at the classroom, school, and/or community level. Suggestions for policy and practice are discussed.