What Is the Most Common Phobia in Teen Girls?

Social Phobia

• Teenage girls care deeply about what other people think of them and how they are accepted by their peers. If your teen seems to be developing a case of crippling shyness that prevents her from giving answers in class or interacting with many people, it could be that she's developing social phobia. This type of anxiety is also referred to as social anxiety. She may still have no problem interacting with her family and some of her close friends but common social situations may make her feel uncomfortable. Her phobia may even be strong enough to trigger a physical reaction, like a rapid heartbeat or heavy breathing.

Helplessness

• A Medical Advisory Board of physicians and health professionals from Quality Health lists the fear of being helpless as a top teen fear. It's known as agoraphobia and is commonly thought of as a fear of open spaces. It's estimated that five percent of the U.S. population suffers from some degree of agoraphobia. The American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry believes that agoraphobia in teens stems from the fear of being away from their parents and their home. Your teen may be afraid to find herself helpless in a situation far from home. She may start avoiding shopping malls, busy streets, school and other crowded places. The phobia is often triggered by a panic attack and the subsequent fear of having another panic attack while away from home. Since panic attacks start to develop between the ages of 15 and 19 and are more common in girls, you should watch for signs and reassure your child if she experiences one.

School Avoidance

• The social and academic pressures of doing well in school can take their toll on teen girls. School avoidance usually increases in middle and high school, with parents noticing an increase in complaints of stomachaches, headaches and PMS. The problem with letting your child skip a day or two is that it becomes harder for her to go back. Her anxiety increases and she feels even more isolated from her peers. Since a teen's social life usually revolves around school, it may be hard to tell school avoidance from a social phobia or even the fear of bullying.

Helping Her Cope

• Listen carefully to what your teen shares with you. If she isn't the one to start the conversation about recent changes in her behavior, bring it up in a respectful and non-confrontational manner. Let her know that her uncertainty and the peer pressure she's feeling are a normal part of the teenage experience. If you remember having similar feelings or experiences, share them. See if you can figure out exactly what is causing her fear. If you can pinpoint the situations that she feels uncomfortable in, you can help her role play situations so she can develop ways to deal with her stress. If she's still cutting out activities or cutting classes, or if it's been over six months without improvement, consult your doctor about setting up an appointment with a psychiatrist or psychologist who specializes in adolescents.