How to define children's fear psychology and what are the dangers?

Some children get scared of animals like dogs and cats. Others don't dare to sleep alone at night because they are afraid of the dark. Some children even cry when they see strangers, and they feel very scared. Many people think that this is the reason why children are timid. In fact, from a medical perspective, this is a kind of fear. What is the definition of fear in children?

Why do children fear animals and darkness? Is this the reason why children are timid? Experts say that this is a manifestation of children's fear psychology. Let's talk about the definition of children's fear psychology.

Definition of children's fear

Children's fear psychology refers to the fear of certain things that children feel during their development, such as fear of animals, water, fire, darkness, strangers, and even fear of words that represent certain things.

The harm of children's fear

If children's fear occurs frequently, it will affect their physical and mental health. In severe cases, it may lead to psychosomatic or mental illness.

Children's fear manifestations

Fear reactions can manifest as panic, screaming, retreating, pain, calling for help, or even escape or confrontation, which is most typical when children receive medical treatment (such as injecting medicine). When children are afraid, they may experience symptoms of sympathetic nervous system excitement, such as accelerated breathing, increased heart rate, tense expression, dilated pupils, and trembling hands. In severe cases, they may become nervous and panic-stricken, with pale complexion, limp limbs, and even temporary incontinence or mental depression.

The positive role of children's fear psychology

Proper use of children's fear can be used to educate and motivate them. For example, use children's fear of doing wrong things to guide them to behave in a normal way; teachers use students' fear of bad grades and failing to guide and encourage children to study hard and be good students; use children's fear of climbing heights or other dangerous situations to guide children to choose safe and healthy games or ways of playing.

Everyone is clear about the definition of children's fear psychology, but children's fear psychology can cause great harm to children, especially to their physical and mental health. Therefore, when it comes to children's fear psychology, parents must provide their children with effective treatment, so as to reduce the harm of children's fear psychology.