Social phobia or pathologic shyness is a behavioral condition, in which the person shows fear, anxiety, and great shyness when facing social situations.

At school, children with phobia disorder display avoidance, seldom ask for help from teachers, refuse to make presentations in front of the class, do not participate in group projects or sports and avoid attending birthday parties. These children usually avoid talking to other children, especially those of the opposite sex.

They are afraid of being evaluated, judged, or mocked by others and of being the center of attention, thus leading to being considered strange, weird, less attractive or stupid, for instance. There is a fear of saying or doing something embarrassing and therefore, they avoid talking in public, speaking with superiors, such as teachers, principals, employees, or even with strangers. Sometimes there is trouble in eating or writing in front of others or even in using the school bathroom.

Besides these symptoms, whenever children and adolescents with social phobia are exposed to social events, they display somatic manifestations, such as blushing, profuse sweating, trembling, palpitation and nervousness.