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Phobias
Definition
A phobia is a relentless and unreasonable fear that causes panic and distress in response to a perceived intimidating object or danger. Common types of phobias seen in school-aged children are:
Specific Phobia: anxiety associated with a specific object or situation
Social Phobia: fear of situations involving other children of the same age (ie. school, play group, etc.)
Selective Mutism: the inability of a normally speaking child to speak in a specific social situati
Symptoms
Approximately 90% of school-aged children have specific fears to objects or situations. For example, growing up, most children at one time fear strangers, the dark, and/or loud noises. When a child has a phobia, that fear interferes with his/her everyday life and can cause problems in social situations, with school performance and with sleep.
Characterizations of children’s phobias are those of anxiety in children such as crying, tantrums, nervous movements, accelerated heart rate, nausea, clinginess, and trouble sleeping. As a phobia emerges, these symptoms worsen and can become severe and/or persistent. Very often, these behaviors will be present in patterns in relation to the feared object or situation. In a phobia, these symptoms occur frequently.
Prevalence
It is estimated that 1-9% of children have an actual specific phobia. Less than 2% of children are found to have a social phobia. It is often difficult to differentiate between a phobia and typical childhood fears. Children who are referred for psychological treatment are often found to have additional anxiety disorders.
Treatment
Many children with phobias work with a therapist. Common therapies for children include cognitive behavioral therapy and also exposure therapy. Parents play an important role in treatment of phobias in children. Parents can help to calm and relax children and also implement rewards for positive behavior. Medication is sometimes used as a means to calm children with a phobia who have severe anxiety.
Outlook
Phobias in children are often resolved as a child develops and matures. However, when therapy is warranted, it is usually very effective in treating phobias in children. Early detection and intervention is also important when treating a child with a phobia. Phobias that are left untreated may continue to inhibit a child’s life into adulthood.
Sources
http://www.childrenshospital.org/az/Site1448/mainpageS1448P0.html
http://www.adaa.org/GettingHelp/FocusOn/children&Adolescents/SP.asp
http://www.childanxiety.net/Specific_Phobia.htm
http://kidshealth.org/parent/emotions/feelings/anxiety.html#
http://www.helpguide.org/mental/phobia_symptoms_types_treatment.htm