Scopophobia in the Classroom: Understanding Students with Social Anxiety
- Marlee Jaha
- Sep 1
- 4 min read
Writer: Marlee Jaha
Introduction
The average American high school has about 756 students. [2] A school day lasts for about seven hours, so all these students are required to share the same space with one another during that time; typically for five days a week. How would that make you feel? Would you feel anxious; hyper-aware of the eyes of your fellow peers on you? Maybe this feeling would interfere with your ability to focus in class. The constant feeling of discomfort might even lead you to resent school. Well, this is the struggle that many students across the country have to face on almost a daily basis.
Scopophobia, a form of social anxiety, is a mental disorder where people have an extreme fear of being looked at. While anyone can feel uncomfortable with eyes on them, for example, while doing a presentation in front of the whole class, scopophobia is much more paramount. It is an anxiety so intense that it can hold people back from functioning properly in any social setting, including in school. [6] For people with this disorder, it does not matter whether they are actually being looked at or not. Knowing that they are visible to everyone around them, and that all those people can have any sort of perception about them, is terrifying enough.
Symptoms and Behaviors of Scopophobia in Adolescents
In adolescence, 11.2% of girls and 7% of boys experience severe social anxiety in America [3]. So, what exactly does this look like? Symptoms for scopophobia differ from person to person, however there are many overall trends. Some common symptoms include sweating, trembling, heart palpations, lightheaded/dizzyness, a feeling of imminent danger, and wanting to escape. [4]
Students with this form of social anxiety likely have to deal with these feelings while in school. Due to these symptoms, students may display certain behaviors in the classroom as a response, or coping mechanism. Some behaviors they might display include avoiding participation in class activities and feeling self-conscious regarding performance-based situations where they are observed by others, such as speaking in front of the class, or raising their hand to answer/ask a question. [1]
The Impact of Social Anxiety On Academic Achievements
While the students are not at fault, behaviors such as these can tremendously hinder their academic performance. According to Psychiatry researcher Alba Vilaplana Perez, social anxiety disorder has been linked to academic underachievement. Students diagnosed with social anxiety are less likely to pass their classes compared to students without the disorder. [5]
Due to the constant state of discomfort, students are not able to adequately focus on their studies. They could be unable to memorize and engage with the teachers' lectures due to the environment, or maybe they do not perform well on interactive assignments. Whatever the reason may be, scopophobia is a huge obstacle that stands in the way of students’ education.
Strategies for Educators to Support Students
It is incredibly important for students to receive an education, regardless of whatever conditions or disorders they might have. So now that the general breakdown of scopophobia is out of the way, how can educators address and tend to this disorder?
Some ways teachers can help make their classrooms a social anxiety-friendly place can be through doing things like letting students choose whether they want to work alone or with other people, make relaxation skills a part of the classroom routine, encourage students to participate to the extent that they are able to, and making sure to be patient and positive as students learn ways to cope.
Educators should also meet regularly with parents, counselors, and other school staff to discuss the student's academic progress and the best ways to help them feel comfortable in the classroom. For more severe cases of students with social anxiety that impacts their academic performance or classroom participation, it may help to set up formal accommodations, such as a 504 plan. [1] This way, their future teachers will be aware of their condition, and will hopefully be open-minded and patient enough to work with them!
Conclusion
Scopophobia is a severe yet sometimes overlooked condition that can have a detrimental impact on a student's educational experience. While it is normal for people to feel nervous in certain social situations, those with scopophobia face challenges that exceed ordinary discomfort, which can often hold them back from participating and performing to their full capabilities in school [6]. The symptoms and coping mechanisms associated with this disorder not only interfere with engagement in the classroom, but can also lead to long-term academic setbacks. [5] However, with patience and awareness, educators can be a proactive support system, and schools can create an environment where students with social anxiety feel understood rather than isolated. (Boyle, 2018). By implementing strategies that encourage inclusion and comfort, teachers can assure that all of their students, regardless of any mental health struggles they may have, have the opportunity to shine academically and personally!
Sources & Works Cited
[1] Boyle, S. (2018). Social Phobia Special Needs Factsheet (for Parents) - KidsHealth. Kidshealth.org. https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/social-phobia-factsheet.html
[2] National Center for Education Statistics. (2019). Table 5. - Average public school size (mean number of students per school), by instructional level and by state: Overview of Public Elementary and Secondary Schools and Districts: School Year 1999-2000. Ed.gov. https://nces.ed.gov/pubs2001/overview/table05.asp
[3] National Institute of Mental Health. (n.d.). NIMH: Social Anxiety Disorder. Www.nimh.nih.gov. https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/statistics/social-anxiety-disorder
[4] Weber, B. (2022, August 31). What is scopophobia? Medicalnewstoday.com; Medical News Today. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/scopophobia#symptoms
[5] Vilaplana-Pérez, A., Pérez-Vigil, A., Sidorchuk, A., Brander, G., Isomura, K., Hesselmark, E., Kuja-Halkola, R., Larsson, H., Mataix-Cols, D., & Fernández de la Cruz, L. (2020). Much more than just shyness: the impact of social anxiety disorder on educational performance across the lifespan. Psychological Medicine, 51(5), 1–9. https://doi.org/10.1017/s0033291719003908
[6] Healthline. (2020, April 16). Scopophobia: The Fear of Being Started At. Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/health/scopophobia
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