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How to Help a Teenager Cope with a Phobia

Monday, June 16, 2008
Related Tags: teenager | treatment | cope | panic | arachnophobia
 

Instructions

  • Step 1:
    Understand that a teenager should not be treated for a phobia without the supervision of a trained therapist. Even if you have read about phobias and about various treatment techniques, encourage the patient to visit a licensed psychologist for treatment.
  • Step 2:
    Provide a kind but firm listening ear. Although you can help a teenager cope with a phobia by listening to their fears, doubts and concerns, it is also important that you remain firm about what a phobia can do to one's life. The only way this type of illness is cured is by determination on the part of the victim. Encourage him to take action toward getting help.
  • Step 3:
    Administer medications. Research has shown that teenagers are often more susceptible to the physical symptoms of a phobia than adults. This means that they might suffer more acute panic attacks, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, muscle tension and heart palpitations as a result of their fear. If they are unable to take their medication due to these symptoms, you might be required to administer it.
  • Step 4:
    Remove physical representations of the fear. A teenager with arachnophobia, for example, may suffer panic attacks just looking at a picture of a spider. Although immersion therapy has proved successful, it should only be used in controlled circumstances. You can help by searching for and eradicating pictures and other items that might trigger severe anxiety.
  • Step 5:
    Explore potential causes. A teenager with a severe phobia might have developed it because of a particular incident or experience in the past. You can help by exploring those possibilities with her and developing hypotheses that might lead to a breakthrough in treatment.

Tips & Warnings

  • Respect the fact that communications with therapists are confidential.
  • Never belittle or antagonize a teenager because of his phobia.

Resources


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