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Overcoming Childhood Fears

Posted Apr 12 2009 12:38am 2 Comments


About Childhood Fears

Fear affects anyone regardless of age or ethnicity. Children are more prone to develop fears because their scope of understanding about society and the world is still quite limited. The same also applies to their reasoning capacity in terms of identifying what is rational or irrational. Which is also the reason why childhood fears are often cited as irrational fears because they are mostly products of the mind and are not legitimate forms of fear where the feeling would be justified or validated. Parents must demonstrate the ability to provide comfort and rational approaches to working through these fears or children will not develop their ability to manage issues that are uncomfortable as they grow.

One must understand that developing fear is completely normal. Some people can develop fear later in life, which many times follows a traumatic event. Whether it is caused by something you experienced yourself or have witnessed, the fear does serve a purpose in that you become more aware and avoid situations that may be dangerous. You or your children will start to develop anxiety and other stress disorders if you do not create action steps to face these fears and work through them. Fear is not a bad feeling, so one does not want to enter dangerous situations to work through this feeling. The irrational fear that grips people when there are no dangers is the fear that needs to be overcome.

How Do You Overcome Them?

Recognizing fears is your first step towards finding overcoming them. Unless you identify the source of your fears, you will never be able to find a solution or treatment for it. Since most childhood fears are irrational, it is best for you child to talk about them with his or her parents. Talking enables you to release any emotional burden that the child has experienced as an effect of these childhood fears. Though it seem rather easy, talking about your childhood fears to other people is never easy. However, you need to be open with this idea in order to relieve any tension. If your child is not at a school age, you can find out what is on your child's mind through play. This is a more effective way to communicate complex feelings and situations. Through play, you can teach your child ways to cope with irrational fears by demonstrating coping skills with the dolls and characters that you engage in play.

Seeking Professional Help

If you or your child experience difficulties discussing your fears with family or friends, then seeking professional help is the best step towards overcoming childhood fears. Counseling experts are equipped with the proper training and knowledge that would help. You can also benefit from seeking psychological help in order to deal with your childhood issues and begin to develop coping strategies to regain your life and find your true potential. Fear is the one emotion that dampers many folks' dreams and ambitions. Do not let fear stop you!

Labels: child, children, counseling, fears, irrational, parents, pay, therapy, thinking, trauma

Comments (2)
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what if im a adult and know what my fears are how would I overcome them?
Those fears that are not rational and can be faced without placing you at risk will need to be confronted in some manor or form.  A professional counselor can help to develop a behavioral plan to help you do this.  You will need the support of a professional and other supports to do this.
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