Phobia is defined as intense, persistent and irrational fears that negatively affect the daily lives of children and adults. It is usually associated with a specific object, situation or experience and can negatively affect the child's social, emotional and mental development. Phobias can cause problems in many areas from children's learning processes to their social relationships. Common phobias in children can be listed as darkness, animals and being alone.
Types of Phobia in Children
Phobias seen in childhood are classified as intense and constant fears that affect the child's life. These phobias usually manifest themselves with extreme fear of a specific object, situation or experience.
1. Fear of Darkness
Fear of darkness is one of the most common phobias seen in children. Children are usually afraid of being alone in the dark at night, which can cause them to have difficulty falling asleep. Inability to sleep without a night light, avoiding dark rooms, crying and panic symptoms can be seen.
2. Fear of Animals (Zoophobia)
Fear of animals is frequently seen in children. Animals such as dogs, spiders, insects and snakes in particular can be the source of fear. If parents are afraid of such animals or if the child has seen such reactions from those around them, they may have developed a phobia themselves. They may refuse to approach the animal, tremble, cry or run away.
3. Fear of Going to School (School Phobia)
Some children are extremely afraid of going to school. This situation can affect the child's social relationships as well as academic success. A negative event at school, feeling anxious in a social environment or fear of failing at school can trigger this phobia. They may refuse to go to school, citing physical complaints such as morning nausea and stomachache.
4. Fear of Being Alone (Monophobia)
Fear of being alone is the intense anxiety a child feels about being separated from their family or loved ones. Overprotective parental attitudes and traumatic separation experiences can trigger this phobia. Behaviors such as crying when separated from their parents and refusing to stay in a room alone can be observed.
5. Fear of Water (Hydrophobia)
Some children are afraid of encountering water in situations such as the sea, pool or bathing. Children who have previously experienced swimming badly or have been in danger of drowning may develop this phobia.
6. Fear of Heights (Acrophobia)
Fear of heights can also be seen in children and causes panic and feelings of insecurity in high places. Refusing to stand on balconies, stairs or high places and feeling dizzy may occur.
7. Fear of Fast Sounds and Noises (Phonophobia)
Sudden and loud sounds can cause extreme fear in some children. For example, vacuum cleaner, thunder or explosion sounds can trigger this fear. Symptoms such as covering the ears, crying and hiding can be seen during fear.
Such phobias can negatively affect the child's quality of life. However, it is possible to overcome these fears with the right approaches and professional support.
How to Understand Phobias in Children?
Phobias can cause visible changes in children's behaviors and emotional reactions. The most obvious symptoms that indicate phobia in children are behavioral changes.
- Avoidance behaviors: The child constantly tries to avoid the object, situation or environment that he/she fears. For example, a child who is afraid of the dark may only want to sleep with the light on.
- Over-attachment: The child may be overly attached, especially to his/her parents, and may refuse to be separated from them.
- Sudden anger or crying fits: The child may react suddenly when faced with the feared situation.
Phobias can also manifest themselves in children's physical conditions. Rapid breathing, trembling, abdominal pain, nausea, and heart palpitations are physical reactions seen in children with phobias. If the child's fear affects his/her daily life, this may be a sign of a phobia.
Why Do Phobias Occur in Children?
Phobias usually occur in children under the influence of more than one factor. These factors include biological, psychological and social elements such as genetic predisposition, environmental effects and traumatic experiences. The child's age, personality and living conditions can also play a role in the formation of these fears.
Phobias can be associated with genetic predisposition. If family members have a history of phobic disorders or anxiety, the child's likelihood of developing similar fears increases.
Traumatic events experienced during childhood can cause the development of excessive fears against certain situations or objects.
Children can develop fears by learning from their environment. These learned behaviors usually come from parents, friends or external sources such as the media.
Attitudes that suppress the child's self-confidence and desire to explore can pave the way for the development of fears.
Situations such as bullying at school or in the circle of friends can lead to the development of social phobias.
Superstitions or stories common in some cultures can trigger children's fears.
High expectations of success can cause the child to develop performance anxiety.
It is known that children are more prone to certain fears at different ages.
Early childhood: Fears such as darkness, ghosts or loud noises are more common during this period. The development of children's imagination can cause such fears to increase.
School age: The desire for social acceptance and fear of failure can lead to social or academic phobias in children in this age group.
It is rare for a single factor to be effective in the formation of phobias in children. Usually, more than one factor comes together to cause these fears.
Phobia Treatment and Solutions in Children
Although phobias are serious fears that affect children's quality of life, they can be treated with the right methods and expert support. Different methods can be applied in phobia treatment according to the child's individual needs. It is critical for families to take a patient and supportive role in this process.
Parents have an important role in understanding their children's fears and supporting them in this process. Instead of belittling the child's fears, it is important to try to understand them.
In some cases, phobias in children require professional help. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is one of the most common and effective methods in the treatment of phobias in children. Expert psychologists, psychiatrists, and child therapists can help the child manage their fears.
Play therapy is a very effective method, especially for young children. Games provide a safe environment for the child to express their fears and cope with these feelings. The therapist teaches the child to cope with their fears during play.
Rewarding the child when he tries to cope with his fears can help reinforce positive behaviors.
It is possible to overcome phobias in children with the right approach and expert support. It is important to prioritize the child's emotional needs and show empathy during the treatment process.
