Fear is one of the worst sensations in life, but when it becomes a disturbing, exaggerated, persistent feeling, causing extreme anxiety and even affecting your social life, it is considered a phobia. Phobia in children is more common than we might think, and what might seem like a simple “little fear” of an object or a certain situation can be a very serious problem. Babies and children naturally have fears, mainly of unknown things. When they are still babies, it is normal for them to be afraid of loud noises, unknown people, being away from their parents, or facing completely new situations. As they get older, fear of the dark, fear of being alone, fear of animals, and so on. According to psychologists and therapists, fear is part of the stages of human development and everyone has to experience and overcome it as long as it is completely under control. Phobia often gets in the way of the child’s psychological development and in some cases affects their relationships with others.

Most Common Fears and Phobias

The most common phobias in children are: animals, especially dogs, doctors, injections and needles, heights, darkness, and insects. Fear is natural, but when the situation continues for many months and episodes and persists as the child gets older without fading as it should during development, it is considered a phobia. When facing the situation, the child panics, shows a high level of anxiety, cries excessively or simply freezes and is unable to react. Usually, this is associated with the first encounter with the object or situation being terrifying, at least from the child’s point of view.

Types of Phobia in Children

In general, phobia is related to an unjustified fear that the child or even an adult cannot explain, but it becomes something uncontrollable. In other cases, it can be related to overprotective parents, being forced to face certain situations without being ready, or even catching the fears and traumas of their parents. Phobias are divided into types and names such as:

  • Uncontrollable fear of crowded places – Demophobia.
  • Fear of enclosed spaces, including school – Claustrophobia
  • Fear of blood – Hematophobia
  • Fear of insects – Acrophobia
  • Fear of animals – Zoophobia
  • Fear of heights – Vertigo
  • Fear of water – Hydrophobia

Being able to identify whether a child’s fears are minor natural fears of development or are actually a trauma accompanied by stress and extreme anxiety levels is essential to identify phobia in children, and if necessary, seek help from specialists.

IMPORTANT: There are phobias of various situations and objects, some quite unusual such as fear of urinating (urophobia), fear of one’s own voice or speaking loudly (phonophobia), or fear of ugly people (unattractiphobia).

What Symptoms Characterize a Phobia

Obviously, it is evident when a child is afraid of a situation or object, by their avoidance reactions. But how can you tell the difference between simple fear and a phobia? The symptoms to look out for always occur in situations where the focus of fear is present, but in the case of phobia, they happen more frequently and over longer periods, continuing as the child grows. The distress they show when seeing the situation, the fear of facing their “monsters,” to the point that they start to avoid them at all costs to avoid the stress. Children with phobias may present:

  • Tremors
  • Excessive sweating
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Stomach pain
  • Feeling faint
  • Tachycardia

These are the main symptoms, but others can also appear, such as chills, uncontrollable fear of death, feeling of being choked, discomfort in the chest and abdomen. During a phobia attack, it’s common for four or five symptoms to occur at the same time, which is why it is very important for parents to observe these warning signs.

How Are Phobias Treated?

When parents notice that a phobia is limiting and interfering in the child’s life and affecting other areas, it is time to seek help from a specialist. Living in fear isn’t good, and having a phobia is even worse! Imagine a child who is phobic of dogs, whether big or small, and panics when faced with one? This is a very common example that happens with thousands of children worldwide. But the question is: How can you prevent the child from ever coming into contact with a dog if the world is full of them? Should the child not walk in the street, visit relatives and friends, or have an active social life because of the phobia? Helping them overcome their fears and traumas is always the best solution, believe it! Parents can help cure phobia in children by acknowledging that the fear is real. Forcing the child to face their fear and calling them “babies” or telling them not to “be ridiculous” won’t solve anything. It will only make them try to hide their feelings and control their fear in the moment. Seek a child psychologist who will recommend the proper treatment for each case.

Techniques

There are techniques that can gradually expose the child to the fear with medical supervision, showing that there is no real danger. The technique focuses on encouraging the child’s desire to get closer and want to learn more about whatever used to cause them distress, until the fear completely disappears or at least they can face it without panic. During this treatment, the therapist can help the child understand their behavior and teach them self-control and relaxation techniques. Only in rare and extreme cases are medications prescribed to treat phobia. Also read: Child with Fear – How to Face This Situation? Photo: Sukanto Debnath