Hi, does anyone have any advice about what to do with my 11-year-old daughter who has extreme irrational fears?
Over the years she has had extreme fears around dogs and sometimes wild deer in the park. She has become a little better but her reactions used to be way over the top. But her biggest fear lately is people looking at her i.e stage fright. She will pretend to be injured on any sports day, so other kids won't watch her run a race (even though she is capable) and now she is at secondary she has made such a fuss about not wanting speaking part in drama today that she came home in floods of tears because she embarrassed herself when they all had to do role play. This has happened a few times already. Apparently she refuses to do any lines and is practically crying at having to even stand up the front. Then the other kids, not realising how distressed she is, start making fun of her, because shes making such a fuss. More embarrassment. It appears to others that she is being stubborn, but she's actually terrified. She has humiliated herself again (in her mind). Any ideas about what to do? I think its more than just fright, its almost a bit as though she thinks she can't cope and then has mild panic attacks. Any ideas? Perhaps a therapist of some sort? Also, she is very resistant to being helped, which isn't helpful !