Child & Youth Mental Health Algorithm - GPSC

Social Anxiety DisorderA fear of one or more social or performance situations in which the person is exposed tounfamiliar people or to possible scrutiny by others and feels he or she will act in anembarrassing manner. Exposure to the feared social situation provokes anxiety, which can takethe form of a panic attack. The person recognizes that the fear is excessive or unreasonable.The feared social or performance situations are avoided or are endured with distress. Theavoidance, anxious anticipation, or distress in the feared situation interferes significantly withthe person's normal routine, occupational functioning, or social activities or relationships. Thecondition is not better accounted for by another mental disorder, substance use, or generalmedical condition If a general medical condition or another mental disorder is present, the fearis unrelated to it. The phobia may be considered generalized if fears include most socialsituations.Identification, Diagnosis & Treatment of Childhood Anxiety DisordersA Package for First Contact Health Providers - © Kutcher and MacCarthy, 20114