Halloween brings costumes and pretend monsters, but for some children, something as small as a bug can trigger overwhelming fear and anxiety, according to a Fort Worth Report story.
Amanda L. Moen, Ph.D., a licensed psychologist at Cook Children's Health Care System, said fear is a normal part of childhood development. She said fear may signal a phobia when it becomes intense, persistent or gets in the way of everyday activities. Moen said the body's alert response is often out of proportion to the actual danger.
Laura Jones said her 8-year-old son, Joseph, had strong reactions to any type of bug, including screaming, crying and running away. His fear led him to avoid going outside, walking through the yard and entering certain rooms in their home alone. The family turned to Cook Children's, where Moen helped them build strategies to manage his anxiety through gradual exposure and supportive language.