Phobias

A phobia (say: fo-bee-uh) is the fancy name for a fear. But a phobia isn't just any kind of fear. It's normal for kids to be afraid of things - like taking a hard test at school, passing a growling dog on the street, or hearing a huge clap of thunder.

A phobia is different because it is an extremely strong fear of a situation or thing. It is also a kind of fear that doesn't go away. A kid who has a phobia will be afraid of something every time he or she sees or experiences it. She won't just be afraid once or twice. Kids who have phobias often go out of their way to avoid the situation or thing that scares them.

That's why Marisa had to take the stairs. She has a phobia of being in closed-in spaces and was too scared to take the elevator. Sometimes, when a kid has a phobia and is forced to face what makes her scared, she may get very nervous and have a panic attack.

What's a Panic Attack Like?

Panic attacks can be really scary and may make a person shake, sweat, and breathe quickly. Some people who have panic attacks may have chest pains, feel dizzy, or feel like their hearts are pounding and they can't breathe.

A panic attack can cause a kid to think something awful is going to happen, that he or she can't escape, or that he or she might lose control. Some kids who have panic attacks say that when the attacks are happening, they feel like they can't think straight or that they're "going crazy."

Panic attacks only last a short time. But to someone who is having one, they can feel much longer. Sometimes, even if a kid knows that his or her phobia doesn't make sense, he or she may not be able to stop the mind and body from reacting and having a panic attack.

Different Kinds of Phobias

There are many different kinds of phobias. The most common kind is social phobia. A social phobia can make someone feel scared of being embarrassed in front of other people.

A kid with a social phobia might feel scared of talking to a teacher or a coach or might be afraid of walking in front of the whole classroom when he or she needs to go to the restroom.

A social phobia can make it nearly impossible for a kid to stand up and give a book report or even enjoy a birthday party. Although most kids might be