4- Phobias in Children
?What are phobias in children
A phobia is an excessive fear of an object or situation. It’s a fear that lasts for at least 6 months. It is a type of anxiety disorder
These are some different types of phobias
Specific phobia. A child has anxiety when exposed to a certain object or situation. He or she stays away from the object or situation, dreads it, or endures it with so much fear that it interferes with normal activities. Some common phobias are a fear of animals, insects, blood, heights, or flying
Panic disorder. A child feels an unpredictable, unexpected period of great fear or discomfort. He or she may have a panic attack. Symptoms include shortness of breath, dizziness, lightheadedness, shaking, fear of losing control, and a racing heartbeat. Symptoms can last for hours. But they often peak after 10 minutes
Agoraphobia. This is a fear of open spaces, such as being outside or leaving home alone. It is linked to one or more phobias or the fear of having a panic attack
Social anxiety disorder. A child is afraid of one or more social or performance situations with others of the same age group. Examples are acting in a school play or giving a speech in front of the class.
Separation anxiety disorder. A child fears being apart from an attachment figure, such as a mother or father. This condition interferes with daily activities
Selective mutism. A child can’t speak in some social situations
?What causes phobias in a child
The cause of a phobia may be both genetic and environmental. A child may develop a phobia if he or she has a fearful first encounter with an object or situation. But experts don’t know if this exposure leads to a phobia. The following may help lead to the development of phobias in children
Shyness or withdrawing from unfamiliar situations or people (behavioral inhibitions) as a child
Having negative or traumatic life events early in childhood
Mental health issues in family members
Certain physical health conditions (such as thyroid problems or heart arrhythmias), or certain substances or medicines. The physical health problems can produce anxiety symptoms, or make them worse
?What are the symptoms of phobias in a child
Each child may have different symptoms when exposed to a phobia. But these are the most common
Increased heart rate
Sweating
Trembling or shaking
Shortness of breath
Feeling of choking
Chest pain or discomfort
Upset stomach
Feeling dizzy or faint
Fear of losing control or going crazy
Fear of dying
Numbness
Chills or hot flashes
A child who has at least 4 of the symptoms may be having a panic attack. These symptoms may seem like other health problems. Have your child see his or her healthcare provider for a diagnosis
?How are phobias diagnosed in a child
First any physical problems are ruled out. Then a child psychiatrist or other mental health provider will evaluate your child. If your child’s history and symptoms meet specific clinical criteria for a phobia, a diagnosis will be made
Panic disorder may be hard to diagnose. Your child may need many tests in different settings
?How are phobias treated in a child
Treatment will depend on your child’s symptoms, age, and general health. It will also depend on how severe the condition is
Phobias can be treated. Your child may need
Individual or cognitive behavioral therapy. A child learns new ways to control anxiety and panic attacks when or if they do happen
Family therapy. Parents play a vital role in any treatment process
School input. Meeting with the child’s school staff can be very helpful with the early diagnosis. It’s also helpful in creating a coordinated treatment plan
Medicines. Some children may feel better with medicines, such as those used to stop panic attacks. If medicine is prescribed, be certain to ask about side effects and the risks versus benefits of the medicine use
?How can I help prevent phobias in my child
Experts don’t know how to prevent phobias in children and teens. But finding and treating a phobia early can ease symptoms. It can help improve your child’s normal development. And it can also improve his or her quality of life
?How can I help my child live with phobias
All children have fears at some point in their life. When untreated, phobias can become a lifelong issue. So treatment is important
Here are things you can do to help your child
Be supportive and nonjudgmental. Help your child stick to the treatment plan. Be willing to listen to and advocate for your child if they have concerns about how treatment is going
Take part in family therapy
Keep all appointments with your child’s healthcare provider
Talk with your child’s healthcare provider about other providers who will be part of your child’s care. Your child may get care from a team that may include counselors, therapists, social workers, psychologists, school staff, and psychiatrists. The care team will depend on your child’s needs. And it will depend on how serious the anxiety disorder and phobia are
Tell others about your child’s phobia. Work with your child’s healthcare provider and schools to create a coordinated treatment plan
Reach out for support from local community services. Being in touch with other parents who have a child with an anxiety disorder and phobia may be helpful
Key points about phobias in children
A phobia is an excessive fear of an object or situation. It lasts for at least 6 months
Common phobias are a fear of animals, insects, blood, heights, or flying
Some things that may put a child at risk for a phobia include shyness, a traumatic event in early childhood, or mental health issues in family members
Symptoms include increased heart rate, sweating, shaking, a feeling of choking, and upset stomach
A mental health provider can diagnose a phobia
Treatment may include therapy and medicines
Phobias in Children
Next steps
Tips to help you get the most from a visit to your child’s healthcare provider
Know the reason for the visit and what you want to happen
Before your visit, write down questions you want answered
At the visit, write down the name of a new diagnosis, and any new medicines, treatments, or tests. Also write down any new instructions your provider gives you for your child
Know why a new medicine or treatment is prescribed and how it will help your child. Also know what the side effects are
Ask if your child’s condition can be treated in other ways
Know why a test or procedure is recommended and what the results could mean
Know what to expect if your child does not take the medicine or have the test or procedure
If your child has a follow-up appointment, write down the date, time, and purpose for that visit
Know how you can contact your child’s provider after office hours. This is important if your child becomes ill and you have questions or need advice
How to Help Your Child With Phobias
Phobias in children are an anxiety disorder that causes excess fear of things or situations that lasts for more than six months. If your child has a phobia, they may show a fear of things like height, some animals, insects, flying, blood, and more
Types of Phobias in Children
There are different types of phobias that may affect your child. Some of them include
Specific phobias. This type of phobia is when your child gets anxious when they are around a particular thing. They may fear animals, heights, and blood so much so that these things affect their daily lives
Agoraphobia. This type of phobia involves fearing open spaces. Your child may not want to leave the house alone. It may occur together with other kinds of phobias
Panic disorder. Here, your child may experience a lot of unexpected fear. It may lead to shaking, a fast heartbeat, lightheadedness, shortness of breath, and dizziness
Separation anxiety disorder. As the name suggests, your child may develop the fear of being away from someone they are attached to (i.e. a parent)
Social anxiety disorder. This involves fear of performing in front of other children of the same age group
Selective mutism. Selective mutism occurs when your child is unable to speak when exposed to a specific social setting
Normal Types of Fear
While phobias involve excessive anxiety, children might show some normal levels of fear
If your child is two years old and below, you may expect them to fear large objects, getting separated from a parent, unfamiliar faces, and loud noises. Children between three and six years old may fear darkness, strange sounds, sleeping alone, and even imaginary monsters or ghosts. Older kids between seven and sixteen years old may fear real things like injuries, poor performance in school, death, and illnesses
Causes of Phobias in Children
The unreasonable fear of situations and objects might occur genetically or due to environmental factors. If your child experiences a lot of fear the first time they come across something, they are likely to develop a phobia of that same thing.
Other factors that may lead to phobias in children include
Traumatic experiences early in life
Family history of mental health issues
Shyness in early childhood
Medical conditions linked to anxiety (i.e. thyroid and heart issues)
Some medications or substances
Symptoms of Phobias
Different children may experience various symptoms when they become anxious. Some common symptoms your child may exhibit when they have a phobia toward something are
A racing heart
Shaking
A choking feeling
Sweating
Fear of dying
Loss of breath
Numbing
Stomach upset
Dizziness
Chest pains
Fear of going out of control
Chills
Diagnosis
Consider seeking help from a professional after noticing any of the symptoms of phobia. The professional may examine the symptoms and take a thorough medical history. After that, they will make a precise diagnosis of your child’s condition. Your doctor might also order more tests in different settings to diagnose panic disorder
Treatment of Phobias in Children
Phobias may negatively affect your child’s quality of life. The good thing is that phobias are treatable. The treatment method may be determined by your child’s age, symptoms, and health condition. Treatments may include
Medications. Your child’s doctor may prescribe some medications to manage panic attacks and anxiety
Cognitive-behavioral therapy. This therapy aims to help children to manage anxiety and panic attacks
Family therapy. This type of therapy involves the parent during treatment
Tips to Help Your Child With Fears
It might be expected for your child to experience fear sometimes. The feeling may help them to stay cautious. In your child’s early days, you can expect them to be afraid of big, loud, or new things
If your child is showing symptoms of unreasonable or excessive fears, you can help them by
Comforting them through words and warm embraces
Assisting them to try new activities or things
Letting them meet new people while still holding them
Staying apart from your baby for some periods
Creating a comforting bedtime routine if they are afraid of darkness
Supporting them in slowly facing their fears
Avoiding watching scary shows or movies
Prevention
There are no conclusive studies on how to prevent phobias in children. However, early detection of the condition might go a long way in solving the issue as early as possible
In general, phobias are pretty common. There should be no cause for alarm if your child’s fears do not interfere with their quality of life. However, you should consider consulting with a professional if the phobia is causing problems at school or in other social circles
