Here are 7 of the most common teen phobias as well as tips on how to handle a phobia in your or your teen’s life.

1. Agoraphobia

Agoraphobia is somewhat common among those who suffer from panic disorder. It’s sometimes called a fear of crowds, but really, it’s a fear of being in a public place where they might find themselves helpless or unable to escape easily. Crowded public venues are a place that those with agoraphobia will commonly avoid. A teen with this phobia might have specific places they do not want to go; conversely, a teen with a severe form of agoraphobia might refuse to leave the house at all.

Many times, agoraphobia begins with a panic attack. If your teen has an anxiety attack while in a particular place, they might subconsciously associate that place with the attack and avoid it. They might also avoid places that are similar to the original place.

For example, if your teen has a panic attack while on a subway, he or she might avoid all public transportation, including the school bus. If they were on their way to a festival, they might begin to avoid festivals, fairs, and theme parks. Over time, this can lead to your teen not wanting to go places with the family or with friends.

2. Claustrophobia

Claustrophobia is an intense fear of being confined. While many people would be fearful of being confined in a very small space, those with claustrophobia might fear places like airplanes, buses, rooms without windows, and elevators. Some people with claustrophobia might also feel panicked when they are in congested traffic or even when wearing a shirt with a snug neck. The victim often feels like they can’t get enough air and that they can’t escape the situation.

3. Nomophobia

Nomophobia is a one of the newer types of teen phobias; it’s the fear of being without a cellphone. The name of the phobia is based on the fear of having “no mobile” phone (nomo).

In today’s always-connected world, it’s very common to feel uneasy when you leave home without your phone or when your battery is about to die and you have no way to charge the phone. For most people, this discomfort is mild and wanes as some time goes by. For those with nomophobia, however, panic symptoms might begin to set in. While many teens seem to be addicted to their devices and might get upset if they can’t use their phones for some reason, their discomfort is usually overcome. If your teen seems to panic in this type of situation, it might be worth investigating whether nomophobia is the cause.

4. Social Phobia

Many teens suffer from social anxiety. When the condition progresses, it can become a true social phobia. It is similar to agoraphobia in the sense that afflicted teens might begin to refuse to go out with friends or to go to public events.

Social anxiety consists of negative feelings when with other people. A lot of people have mild anxiety when they have to get up in front of a crowd to give a speech, for example. You might experience a faster heartbeat or sweaty palms. For someone with a social phobia, however, the symptoms can turn into a full-blown panic attack. If this happens in front of others, your teen might simply refuse to be in the situation again. Their phobia can negatively impact not only their social lives but also their success in school and their ability to hold down a part-time job.

5. Medical Teen Phobias

Does your teen consult with Dr. Google every time he or she has a medical symptom, such as a headache, an upset stomach, or a twitching eyelid? While it’s not exactly a phobia, hypochondria, which is anxiety revolving around an imagined illness or nonsignificant symptoms, is becoming more common in the Internet age. Anyone can type their symptoms into Google, and search engines tend to give worst-case scenarios. Your teen could be very fearful that their nosebleed (likely caused by dry air) was caused by leukemia, for example.

Another type of medical-related phobia is the fear of doctors or hospitals. This includes dental phobia and an intense fear of having blood drawn or vaccinations. If you’re having to cajole and drag your teen to the doctor, they might have one of these medical teen phobias.

6. Cynophobia (and other animal phobias)

While many teenagers love animals, others have fears of various creatures, whether they’re creepy-crawly or warm and fuzzy.

Cynophobia is the fear of dogs. A teen who has been bitten by a dog might develop this fear. Other teen phobias of animals include:

• Arachnophobia – the fear of spiders
• Ophidiophobia – an abnormal fear of snakes

Many people can relate to fears of spiders and snakes; you might shudder or head in the opposite direction when you see a large spider or a slithering snake. A teen who is very fearful of other creatures might not want to go outside at all or might have a panic attack when they see an animal unexpectedly.

7. Aerophobia

Finally, one last common phobia among people of all ages that might affect your teen is aerophobia, or the fear of flying. Since flying is not something that most people need to do frequently, this fear might not affect your teen’s everyday life. If a teenager is trying to get out of going on a family vacation or won’t attend a school trip that includes an airplane ride, though, consider whether treatment for the fear of flying is in order.

Getting Help for Teen Phobias

No matter what your teenager is afraid of (and there are many teen phobias that do not fit into the above categories), it’s important to remember that he or she is not afraid on purpose. If they could control it, they’d choose not to be afraid. Blaming your teen or ridiculing them for their fear is cruel and can just make things worse. Instead, see a mental health professional who can guide him or her through the process of overcoming the phobia. In many cases, this includes psychotherapy (talk therapy) and desensitization. Sometimes, medication is also needed, either for a little while or for the long term.

Work with your child’s mental health professional to get to the bottom of teen phobias. Having it treated during the teen years can help ensure a healthier and happier adult life. No one wants to be afraid all of the time, so it’s essential to have the phobia identified and treated as soon as feasible.

In Conclusion

If you think that your child suffers from one of these teen phobias, it’s best to have it evaluated sooner rather than later. With systematic desensitization therapy and other types of counseling, your teen could overcome the fear and get on with his or her life without being burdened with the discomfort and panic associated with a phobia.  Learn more about the treatment for phobic disorders in teens and young adults offered by Paradigm.

The post 7 Most Common Teen Phobias appeared first on Paradigm Treatment Center.

Here are a few things you should know about teen fears and phobias and how you might help a teen experiencing them.

Fear Is Normal

First, understand that fear is a normal and healthy emotion. A fear of large, barking dogs can keep people safe from a potential attack. Many kids are afraid of bees and wasps, which can help steer them away from being stung. A healthy fear of fire, of trucks barreling down the road, and of lightning can keep people safe.

There are also fears that don’t necessarily keep you safer, but they do make sense. For example, many people feel anxious during airplane turbulence, even if they understand that turbulence does not make planes crash or fall from the sky. People might also be mildly fearful of heights or get nervous before giving a speech in front of a crowd of people. These reactions are normal and not anything to worry about.

What are the most common fears for teens?

Some common fears that teenagers experience include:

• fears of sickness
• fear of their parents divorcing
• fear of not doing well in school
• fear of disasters like tornadoes or fires
• fear of experiencing peer pressure or peer rejection

Most of the time, these fears are mild and don’t impact a teen’s everyday life.

What is a Phobia?

Phobia is an extreme or irrational fear of or aversion to some person, place or thing. There are phobias that are typical for teens, those that are associated with adolescence. To make more of a distinction, there are certain fears that tend to naturally develop at certain ages and are also considered normal. For instance, children under two years old may be afraid of loud noises, strangers, or separation from their parents. Toddlers might be afraid of ghosts, monsters, sleeping alone, or strange noises; and adolescents might fear bodily injury, illness, school performance, death, and natural disasters.

Phobias are marked by a consistent fear when faced with an object or particular circumstance. The cause of phobias is not yet determined, though some believe that both genetic and environmental factors contribute to phobias.  Phobias can be present in very young children as well as teens and adolescents. Examples of specific phobias can include fear of animals, air travel, being outside, social situations, blood, or being separated from a loved one. Those afflicted will often react with extreme terror whenever they are faced with a trigger that stimulates their fear, such as being in a certain place or around a certain person or even when in circumstances that are similar to a past situation in which trauma might have occurred.

Symptoms of Phobias

The symptoms of phobias can vary from mild to severe. They can include:

• Difficulty breathing
• Racing Heart
• Chest pains
• Trembling/shaking
• Feeling lightheaded
• Hot or cold flashes
• Sweating
• Feelings of overwhelm or panic
• Feeling an intense need to escape
• Feeling detached from yourself
• Fear of losing control
• Feeling like fainting is imminent

Phobias Can Be Crippling

When it comes to phobias, however, the fear can be severe enough that it becomes crippling. While a mild fear of getting sick can encourage your teen to get his or her flu shot and wash hands before eating, a phobia might cause them to refuse to go to school if a classmate comes down with an illness. A fear of lightning might cause your teenager to decide, sensibly, to stay indoors during a storm, while a phobia can cause them to have a panic attack when they see dark clouds approaching.

If a fear becomes so strong that it’s impacting your teen’s life, then it should be addressed. Certain phobias are more likely to get worse if left unchecked. For example, a teen with agoraphobia, or the fear of being in a crowd, can become more and more fearful as time passes without getting used to leaving the house and being in public. A fear of flying can also get worse over time; it might not matter now if you don’t fly much, but your teen could be impacted later if he or she takes a job that requires travel or if they want to go on vacation with friends.

Your Teen Knows It’s Irrational

Most people with a phobia know that it’s irrational. A teen who stays up at night because they are afraid of the house catching fire in the night will not be assured by smoke detectors and by making sure the stove is turned off. He or she will know that the fear does not make sense; rational measures won’t help them feel any better or turn off the fear.

This is one reason why it’s important to take the phobia seriously. You cannot generally talk a teen out of feeling afraid of something that they know isn’t really worth being afraid of. By dismissing a teen’s fears, you could contribute to low self-esteem. A teen with a phobia might also develop general anxiety or depression if they don’t get help.

Common Phobias in Teens

One common phobia that sometimes emerges in adolescence, a time when feeling accepted by their peers is highly important, is social phobia, sometimes diagnosed as Social Anxiety Disorder. It’s an illness in which the fear of social situations, specifically fearing judgment and embarrassment in those situations, is excessive. A teen might be extremely worried about how he or she looks or will behave and might even avoid those situations to escape the anxiety, rather than enjoying that experience. Social phobia tends to also come within an extreme feeling of self-consciousness and a fear of humiliating oneself.

Yet, there are other forms of phobia, such as:

• Agoraphobia – Fear of Open Spaces
• Claustrophobia – Fear of Enclosed Spaces
• Acrophobia – Fear of Heights
• Zoophobia – Fear of Animals
• Trypanophobia – Fear of Injections or Medical Needles
• Nosophobia – Fear of Having a Disease
• Homophobia – Fear of Homosexuality
• Monophobia – Fear of Being Alone

Remember, it’s normal to be afraid of these things; what’s not normal or healthy is when a phobia begins to take over everyday life. For example, most people avoid snakes whenever possible and many would get upset if a snake were to get into the house. If your adolescent can’t sleep because they are afraid that there might be a snake lurking under the bed or won’t go into the backyard because there was once a snake slithering through, that is when you know there’s a problem.

Teens are generally past the typical childhood fears of the dark or of monsters. They’re more likely to be afraid of things that could happen (but usually don’t), such as a home invasion or an earthquake. Keep in mind that some fear of these events is normal; it’s only a problem if the fear is impacting your teen to the point that he or she can’t take part in the activities they want to because of the phobia.

How to Help Your Teenager

There are ways to learn to control fear on your own. For example, someone who is afraid of flying but not to the point of having a phobia might simply book a flight and get through it. Facing fears is a good way to take away their power. Also, knowledge can be helpful. If your teen is afraid of something like tornadoes, it might help to do some research on where they are most likely to occur and how you can best protect yourself in the event that one does strike.

If your child is unable to cope with his or her fear, however, it’s time to seek professional help. A counselor can walk your teen through the process of defeating panic attacks and the desensitization process. A teen who is phobic about flying, for example, might need to start by driving past an airport. The next step might be going into the airport and spending a few minutes in the lobby area. The steps are small and they can end with your teen being able to get through a flight during your family vacation.

Knowing the difference between fears and phobias can help you take your teen’s phobias more seriously. Getting past them now can allow your adolescent to enter adulthood unencumbered by the strong feelings that the phobia can elicit, which is a great way to start off his or her grown-up life.

Treatment for Phobias in Teens

If you suspect that your teen has a phobia, and more importantly, you suspect that his or her symptoms are getting in the way of succeeding at home, school, or work, then it would be worthwhile to seek treatment. The following are common ways to treat phobias:

– Exposure Therapy

This type of therapy would invite a teen to gradually face his or her fear in a controlled and safe environment. Doing so would give him or her the chance to monitor internal responses to what triggers the fear while using healthy coping mechanisms. The point is that over time the distressful physiological responses to that trigger slowly go away. Eventually, a teen learns that the particular situation, person, or thing is not harmful. Instead he or she develops a sense of control over that fear.

– Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

This therapy explores the specific thoughts or beliefs that trigger panic-like symptoms. It is opinion that this is the most effective form of therapy for this disorder. Essentially, the specific thought that provokes panic in a particular situation is to examine and to replace with a healthier thought. For example, if adolescents have a repeating thought that they are going to humiliate themselves in public. As a result, miss school more frequently than they should, an alternative thought might be, “No matter what I say or do, my friends accept me for who I am.” Cognitive Behavioral Therapy aims to find alternative thoughts that are self-affirming, accepting, and realistic.  Another thought that can replace a negative, unhealthy one is, “I’ve felt this way before and nothing terrible happened.” This alternative is realistic and supportive.

– Relaxation Techniques

When your child is experiencing symptoms of anxiety and panic, the body responds in an excited and heightened way. Review the list of symptoms in the second article of this series. For example, and you’ll see physiological and emotional changes that reflect a body and mind that is under stress.

However, breathing exercises, muscle relaxation, and meditation can facilitate a sense of ease when fear and panic feel like they are going to take over. For instance, feeling fear is usually accompanied by shallow breathing. If an adolescent were to become conscious of his or her breathing right in the middle of feeling panic, make them breath long and deep, this could shift his or her physiological state. Over time, the fearful responses that certain places, people, or things trigger may lessen in intensity and eventually no longer have the effect they once did.

Furthermore, your child can practice this type of breathing anytime. If  anxiety is present or not. And in this way, it could become a resource when panic strikes. Anything that you or your teen learns about phobias can also facilitate finding the freedom from phobias that will create an easier, more relaxed life. A number of resources exist to support adolescents in functioning with success at home, school, and work.

If you or someone you know experiences a phobia, contact a mental health professional. By doing so, you can treatment that will make living life with a phobia easier. Those with phobias don’t have to live sheltered lives. There are many forms of treatment for phobias for teens.

The post Teen Fears and Phobias: A Guide for Parents appeared first on Paradigm Treatment Center.

Recognize the Symptoms of a Phobia

There are some fears and presentations that are normal and common. For example, if your teen is nervous about meeting the parents of a romantic partner and has a faster heartbeat and sweaty palms, that is not abnormal. Before a big test, he or she might have a mild stomachache; this is also normal and common.

A person having a phobia, however, might experience the symptoms of a panic attack. Those would include heart palpitations, sweating, the inability to catch their breath, stomach upset, a feeling of dread, and a pins-and-needles sensation in the hands or feet. Just thinking about the object of fear could bring on symptoms; your teen might not even need to see the object or be immersed in a stressful situation. A phobia usually has an impact on a person’s life that extends beyond one specific situation. For example, someone who is phobic of dogs might go out of their way not to chance an encounter. They might refuse to walk to school or to the bus stop, or they might avoid making plans with friends who have a dog.

Don’t Put Off the Phobia Treatment

Once a child is old enough to think rationally, strong fears and phobias will probably not go away on their own, if they haven’t already. Early phobia treatment is not only more effective, but it will also save your child years of fear and anxiety. Also, an untreated phobia can lead to an anxiety disorder later. If your teen is showing signs of a phobia, talk to his or her primary care physician promptly, even if they’re not due for a checkup anytime soon. The doctor can determine whether it’s time for a referral for a mental health care practitioner.

Cooperate with Exposure Therapy

Many times, phobia treatment involves something called exposure therapy. This exposes the fearful person to the trigger a little at a time. For example, if someone is phobic to dogs, they might first watch a dog walk by from a safe distance and wait for the fear to pass. Once they can handle that, they will observe the dog from a closer distance, then closer still. At some point, they will work on holding the dog’s leash and petting the dog. This can be applied to almost any phobia, and your teen’s mental health professional will coach him or her through the basics.

As a parent, it might be up to you to facilitate some of these exposures. Talk to the professional in charge of your teen’s case and find out how you can help.

Let Your Teen Know that this is Not His or Her Fault

A person with a phobia often knows that their fear is irrational and that their behavior is not typical. Still, they have no control over it. Your teen cannot control his or her physical responses to the fear without treatment. Your adolescent might feel self-conscious and guilty about the fear. Be sure to let them know that this is not their fault. Nothing your teen did could have brought on the fear, and these feelings are not anything that they chose to experience. If your teen is feeling like he or she is doing something wrong, encourage them to talk to their mental health professional about these feelings.

Encourage a Healthy Lifestyle

Anxiety can be made worse by unhealthy choices. Encourage your teen to eat healthy foods and to avoid stimulants like caffeine and smoking cigarettes. Also, there is evidence that regular exercise can reduce symptoms of fear and anxiety, so try to get your teen off of the couch and onto a sports team, to the gym, or even just on a daily walk or bike ride around the neighborhood.

In addition to exercise, sleep is very important to mental health. Many teenagers are deficient on sleep, but the average teen needs eight to ten hours of shut-eye per night. If your child is staying up too late and not getting the sleep he or she needs, stress good sleep hygiene and, if necessary, remove electronic devices after a certain time so he or she can get the sleep needed for good mental health. Daily exercise will make sleep come more easily for most people, so even if your teen is active, stepping it up a bit might help if they’re having trouble with insomnia.

Learn Relaxation Techniques

Knowing how to relax is a skill that can help anyone, including your phobic teen. It can also help you, so learn along with your child and practice it yourself, if you aren’t already. Some ways that you might relax include meditation, yoga, and quiet activities such as knitting or drawing. You can try deep-breathing exercises. You can also try tightening and relaxing each muscle group in your body, one at a time. Talk to your child’s mental health professional about ways that you can help him or her relax.

Supporting your teen through phobia treatment is largely a matter of getting him or her to the appointments and enforcing the suggestions and techniques recommended by the therapist or counselor. Find out whether a support group exists that could help, and, if so, make arrangements for your teen to attend. Helping your child combat this fear now can positively impact the rest of his or her life, so know that your support is vitally important to your teen’s phobia-free future.

The post How to Help Your Teen Through Phobia Treatment appeared first on Paradigm Treatment Center.

Although the proposal for including nomophobia in the new DSM-V has been rejected, the fact remains that anxiety caused by not having a smartphone is real. Some critics say that the word “phobia” is misused here and it only suits as a casual reference, just as “addiction” to our favorite TV series. However, for teenagers, the anxiety caused by losing connectivity can be worsened by their susceptibility, their natural peer-oriented mindset and, most of all, the fact that they were born into the digital world – they do not remember the world before smartphones, so their mobile gadgets are essential to them.

Why Teens Are Affected?

This phenomenon did not pertain specifically to the teenage population when it was first studied in 2010, and the term “nomophobia” was coined. Meanwhile, the overwhelming majority of teens admit they cannot stand being without their phones. In fact, fifty percent of them think they are addicted to their mobile devices, according to the recent survey by Common Sense Media. This number has doubled within 5 years’ time (compared to 26% of smartphone-addicted teens in 2011). Maybe there is more to nomophobia than meets the eye?

According to the study conducted back in 2005 by Adriana Bianchi and Dr. James G. Philips overuse of mobile phone is caused by underlying psychological factors, such as low self-esteem or highly extroverted personality. Nomophobia may also be a sign of preexisting mental disorders such as social anxiety, panic disorder, and the whole variety of other psychological issues.

If you have noticed that your child compulsively checks his or her phone, becomes anxious when unable to get access to the Internet, frustrated or overly excited by incoming messages, shows withdrawal symptoms (restlessness, moodiness, sleep deprivation, etc.) when separated from their device, it is obvious that he or she has some troubles. You most definitely must reach out for them to offer help. Nomophobia is what’s on the surface, but there is always a deeper reason.

Underlying Issues

Even if your kid’s problem is as innocent as being particularly partial to an online game or chatting with friends, it may lead to sleep issues due to the emission of blue light from the smartphone screen that keeps them wide-awake late at night. Furthermore, you must make sure that the “friends” they are chatting to aren’t predators in disguise, trolls or bullies.

Cyberbullying is widely recognized, but still, it is a growing issue. Teenagers confess to saying mean things online, which they would not dream of saying to someone’s face in real life. However, hate posts are as scarring as the old-fashioned taunting in the playground – they distort child’s self-image, humiliate, stigmatize, make them feel isolated and rejected.

On the other hand, on social media young people often seek consolation when struggling through a hard time, problems at home, bullying at school. They say that likes under their photos are reassuring and make them feel better about themselves, twitting something or updating a status on Facebook is the same as shouting something out loud, when you’ve had enough – it helps you to vent out, while comments and shares provide some kind of validation. The hashtags give them an opportunity to find peers based on the shared interests, but also, what is rather disturbing, based on the shared sufferings and disorders – self-harm, anorexia, suicidal thoughts. Instagram bans such hashtags, but teens unceasingly come up with new ones to be able to find other people that are going through the same hell as they are.

It is true that having someone they can openly talk to about their problems often helps teens in overcoming their psychological issues. Merely knowing that they are not alone, that there is someone out there, who understands them, is a consolation. However, such contacts can also be very triggering. Moreover, the feeling of community and connectedness with like-minded people can be an obstacle for overcoming the initial problem – if you get better, you no longer have a problem others relate to in the first place, you are out of the club, so to speak. So in order to keep these friendships going, your teen may carry on suffering, instead of bouncing back.

What Can You Do to Prevent Nomophobia?

How to prevent this kind of risky and destructive behaviors? If you noticed that your child is developing nomophobic symptoms, do not punish them by taking away their phone – it can even make things worth. Try to understand why the phone became the center of their life and what the initial problem is. Also, keep ongoing conversations about online dangers – awareness is the best protection.

Today we are all prone to the dependence on technology. As it happens, not only parents think that teenagers spend too much time on their smartphones – teenagers say that their parents are too absorbed by the mobile screens themselves. On the bright side, this inseparability makes your child always reachable. You can call them at any time or write a message just to make sure they are okay. It is also possible to figure out where exactly your child is, by using an iPhone location tracker and other similar GPS-based technologies.

However, since the digital plays a growingly important role in the life of young people, it would be even better to join the social networks your teen prefers and be a part of your teen’s digital life as well. After all, mastering another tricky app or emoji language is worth your peace of mind and being able to help your child.

The post What Is Nomophobia And Does Your Teen Have It? appeared first on Paradigm Treatment Center.

Phobia is an extreme or irrational fear of or aversion to some person, place or thing. There are phobias that are typical for teens, those that are associated with adolescence. To make more of a distinction, there are certain fears that tend to naturally develop at certain ages and are also considered normal. For instance, children under two years old may be afraid of loud noises, strangers, or separation from their parents. Toddlers might be afraid of ghosts, monsters, sleeping alone, or strange noises; and adolescents might fear bodily injury, illness, school performance, death, and natural disasters.

Phobias are marked by a consistent fear when faced with an object or particular circumstance. The cause of teen phobias is not yet determined, though some believe that both genetic and environmental factors contribute to phobias.  Phobias can be present in very young children as well as teens and adolescents. Examples of specific phobias can include fear of animals, air travel, being outside, social situations, blood, or being separated from a loved one. Those afflicted will often react with extreme terror whenever they are faced with a trigger that stimulates their fear, such as being in a certain place or around a certain person or even when in circumstances that are similar to a past situation in which trauma might have occurred.

The phobia triggers a number of physiological effects, such as increased heart rate, dizziness, shortness of breath, nausea, sweaty palms, feeling cold, loss of the ability to think reasonably, and other symptoms. It’s as though someone is experiencing genuine panic,

Of course, one phobia that commonly emerges in adolescence, a time when feeling accepted by their peers is highly important, is social phobia, sometimes diagnosed as Social Anxiety Disorder. It’s an illness in which the fear of social situations, specifically fearing judgment and embarrassment in those situations, is excessive. A teen might be extremely worried about how he or she looks or will behave and might even avoid those situations to escape the anxiety, rather than enjoying that experience. Social phobia tends to also come within an extreme feeling of self-consciousness and a fear of humiliating oneself.

To be afraid of a thing, place, or person is one thing, but to experience excessive anxiety that is persistent and irrational about that object, person, or place is another. Sure, anxiety will be a part of the adolescent experience. When you reflect on all the changes – emotionally, psychologically, and physically – that a teen goes through, it’s natural that anxiety might accompany those processes of change.

Phobias vs Anxiety: What’s the difference?

Teen phobias are an entirely different form of anxiety. It’s considered to be a disorder, categorized under anxiety disorders. What defines anxiety as a disorder, whether it’s a specific phobia or not, is when it is excessive and unrealistic.  Having worry or anxiety before a major life event, prior to an exam, or right before asking a girl out, is normal. When anxiety and fear become excessive, it’s considered abnormal.

To make more of a distinction, there are certain fears that tend to naturally develop at certain ages and are also considered normal. For instance, children under two years old may be afraid of loud noises, strangers, or separation from their parents. Toddlers might be afraid of ghosts, monsters, sleeping alone, or strange noises; and adolescents might fear bodily injury, illness, school performance, death, and natural disasters.

Anxiety 

However, when fear or anxiety becomes extreme, it might be an indication that an anxiety disorder is present. A symptom of some anxiety disorders is free-floating anxiety, which is anxiety that is unrelated to a realistic, known source. However, a phobia is a persistent and irrational fear of a specific object, activity, or situation. There is a particular related source to the fear or anxiety that an adolescent might experience.

The list of types of teen phobias is long. Essentially, there could be any number of things or places that might stimulate excessive fear and worry. Yet, common phobias include fear of animals, such as fear of spiders, dogs, or snakes; fear of environmental circumstances, such as heights, water, or the dark; and fear of specific situations, such as enclosed spaces, flying, or bridges.

Social Phobia

Of course, one phobia that might emerge in adolescence is social phobia, sometimes termed Social Anxiety Disorder. It’s an illness in which the fear of social situations, specifically fearing judgment and embarrassment in those situations, is excessive. A teen might be excessively worried about how he or she looks or will behave and might even avoid those situations to escape the anxiety, rather than enjoying that experience. Social phobia tends to also come within an extreme feeling of self-consciousness and a fear of humiliating oneself.

Other types of phobias that might be present in adolescence:

• Agoraphobia – Fear of Open Spaces
• Claustrophobia – Fear of Enclosed Spaces
• Acrophobia – Fear of Heights
• Zoophobia – Fear of Animals
• Trypanophobia – Fear of Injections or Medical Needles
• Nosophobia – Fear of Having a Disease
• Homophobia – Fear of Homosexuality
• Monophobia – Fear of Being Alone
• Didaskaleinophobia: Fear of Going to School

Aside from those listed above, there are many phobias that are possible to experience. However, these include a few of the most common for teens.

Panic and Phobias

These emotional and physical symptoms are not too different from those of a panic attack, which is an unexpected wave of great panic or fear.  One type of phobia that is associated with panic attacks is Agoraphobia, the fear of enclosed spaces. The two are related when panic attacks worsen and agoraphobia develops as a result. For instance, if an adolescent experiences a panic attack in class, that teen might also feel incredible anxious about having another panic attack in a social setting, thus strengthening a fear of being in public settings, particularly a fear of not being able to escape or not being able to access emergency services if needed.

Phobia Treatment

Treatment of teen phobias can be difficult. Some believe in immersion therapy, also known as exposure therapy, wherein an adolescent is slowly introduced to the thing or situation that they fear most. Behavioral therapy can also be helpful in identifying the root cause of a particular phobia, which can be vital to the recovery process. Sometimes medication is prescribed when a teen phobia is particularly severe. It is important to consult a qualified therapist when determining the best course of action for treatment. Every teen is different, and what works in one case may not work in another.

Learning how to relax is another way to work with phobias. Breathing exercises, muscle relaxation, and meditation can facilitate a sense of ease when fear and panic feel like they are going to take over. For instance, feeling fear is usually accompanied by shallow breathing. If an adolescent were to become conscious of his or her breathing right in the middle of feeling panic, making the breath long and deep, this could shift his or her physiological state.

If phobia is interfering in a teen’s life, know that there are a variety of supportive tools to use. Between medication, therapy, and relaxation techniques, you can heal from anxiety and not let a phobia come between you and your well-being.

With Trypanophobia and other types of phobia, it would be important to seek treatment when symptoms become a major disruption in life and impairs functioning at school, home, or work. For example, if a teen has an excessive fear of bridges and there are no bridges in the community where he or she lives, then there may be no need to treat this phobia. However, if that adolescent needed to cross a bridge every morning to get to school and truancy develops as a result of avoiding the travel to school, treatment would be is necessary.

It would be best to consider treatment if a phobia causes an adolescent intense fear, anxiety, or panic. If that anxiety or fear is excessive and unreasonable and it impairs functioning, then seeking the help of a mental health professional would also be applicable. Finally, a phobia lasting for 6 months or more would also be a reason to seek treatment.

Conclusion 

Some individuals, including teens, can embellish their experiences and communicate they have a phobia when there isn’t one. A phobia is a mental illness with symptoms that can cause severe distress. For this reason, the second part of this three part series will review those symptoms; and the third article in this series will explore how phobias are commonly treated.

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