Many parents experience their children feeling anxious about something. In many cases they don't understand why their child feels this and why it has happened. It is important to remember that children are afraid of different objects, noises or situations.
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After all, fear is not a symptom of illness, but something very useful. So don't panic right away and don't try to force your child not to be afraid of something or someone. In most cases fear is a warning signal of danger. However, it is worth contacting a child psychologist or psychiatrist if fearful situations prevent the child and those around him from functioning normally.
Anxieties we often encounter in children
Children experience anxiety in a variety of situations and may also be afraid of objects or noises. Sometimes children are afraid of ghosts, jumps, birds or baubles that they have seen for example while watching a fairy tale. Research and observations show that children are afraid not only of what they see or feel, but also of what they hear (hoover, washing machine, aeroplane, fridge, blender, cars). For children, noise can be dangerous. In many cases, children feel anxious about going to the doctor. This may be because they are afraid of something new and unfamiliar, of strangers or of a situation that has already happened before and that they associate with bad memories (e.g. vaccination, examination during illness). Children are also afraid of the dark, which is why most children fall asleep with a light on. This is because in the dark, the imagination kicks in and all sorts of ghosts, monsters and noises appear.
What to do when a child is afraid of something?
In each of these situations and in many others, such as fear of going to nursery or kindergarten, fear of animals, of heights and of water, parents must be calm, composed, understanding and patient. Any attempt to force the child to behave in a certain way, e.g. forcing the child to stay in the dark, can lead to a worsening of the fear and severe emotional problems for the child. If you notice that your child's anxiety is preventing him or her from functioning normally in everyday life, you should see a psychiatrist. It may be necessary to include some kind of therapy with a psychologist (individual, family) or to administer medication (anti-anxiety drugs). Remember, however, that the presence of a parent, closeness and understanding are most important for the child.
