Treating Phobia in Children
By: Paul FryattTotal Views: 129, Word Count: 568,
Fears come and go during childhood and overcoming them teaches kids the needed skills to deal with problems in the adult world. Occasionally, a fear would aggravate becoming unreasonable. At such point, the child has developed a phobia and might need help in dealing with it. Phobias, anxiety attacks and nervous behavior are increasing in children and teenagers, but the good news is that there are quick and effective treatments of phobia. Treating phobia in children is vital as, if left untreated it could aggravate and pose a great threat for them in future.
Instructions for Treating Phobia in Children
· Treat animal phobias by gradually introducing your children to the animal that frightens them. Draw a stick figure of the animal and as the child feels more comfortable, present drawings which are more precise followed by actual photos. Increase the child’s exposure to the animal slowly through videos, then by viewing through glass, through an open door and lastly in the same room.
· Always show patience in dealing with child phobias. It might take months or even years for a child to conquer his/her fear. Pressuring the child before he/she is ready could backfire.
· Recognize the intense panic a child with claustrophobia feels. When enclosed in a small space, he/she might exhibit sweating, fast heart rate, shortness of breath, nausea and dizziness. Successful treatment often includes specialized therapy to help the child face underlying fears.
· Learn to identify the symptoms of phobias. A child could experience physical symptoms which are very real when confronted with the object of his/her fear. Dizziness, hyperventilating and chest pain are included in a long list of physical symptoms related to phobias.
· Take professional help if your child’s phobia is keeping him/her from leading a full productive life. No child should suffer unnecessarily when help is available.
· Determine what a normal fear in a kid is. Before the age of two, strange objects, loud noises and separation from parents would surprise toddlers. Until they are 6 or 7, they might be afraid of ghosts, monsters and other supernatural things. After the age of 7, fears usually form around more practical incidents such as storms, auto accidents, etc.
One Session Treatment for Kids with Phobias
The phobia treatment for kids is accomplished in one session with a therapist. It isn’t costly (but the cost could vary with different psychologists or counselors). Disparate anxiety medication, this one session therapy treatment for adolescents doesn’t have side effects. Further, it’s not linked with a specific culture, so it doesn’t need to be changed to fit a certain country or region.
In this session, a child gradually approaches whatever he/she is afraid of (besides the therapist). This secure, controlled environment helps reduce anxiety attacks and feelings of fear. After the therapist interacts with the entity of fear, the child is encouraged to do the same.
The theory behind this phobia for children is that they would experience decreased nervousness (anxiety) and learn what they most fear would not occur (in psychology, this is known as systematic desensitization or exposure therapy). It’s vital for children to spend an extensive amount of time with the object they fear to reduce their anxious behavior.
When treating phobia in children, you must be very careful about the treatment being carried on and it should be done by a thorough professional.
About the Author
Paul Fryatt, M.D. has been in this profession from last 24 years. He made great achievements in his profession. He made an initiative to open a Family Allergy Clinic in 1985 to help his patients who were not reacting to traditional allergy treatment programs. Moreover he has explored the treatment to overcome allergy symptoms to reclaim quality of life through his convenient, no-shots therapy.
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