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How serious are common childhood fears?
P Muris1, H Merckelbach, B Mayer
1Department of Psychology, Maastricht University, Netherlands.
Objective:
The present study examined the clinical status of common childhood fears.
Method:
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.