How serious are common childhood fears?
OBJECTIVE
The present study examined the clinical status of common childhood fears.


METHODS
Fears of the 290 children aged 8 to 13 years were assessed and then their severity was explored by means of a structured diagnostic interview measuring anxiety disorders according to the criteria of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM).


RESULTS
Childhood fears reflect significant anxiety disorders in a substantial minority (i.e. 22.8%) of the children.


CONCLUSIONS
In most children, childhood fears are part of the normal development. However, in some children, these fears reflect serious anxiety problems which interfere with daily routine.
Muris
P
P
Department of Psychology, Maastricht University, Netherlands.
Merckelbach
H
H
Mayer
B
B
Prins
E
E
D000293:Adolescent; D001007:Anxiety / Q000175:diagnosis; D002391:Catchment Area, Health; D002648:Child; D002652:Child Behavior / Q000523:psychology; D005239:Fear; D006801:Humans; D009426:Netherlands; D010698:Phobic Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D015995:Prevalence; D002666:Psychology, Child; D012720:Severity of Illness Index