The article guides on the following:
- Definition and types of phobias
- Causes and the signs of phobias
- Diagnosis of phobias
- How residential treatment programs can help teens with phobias
- How to find the best residential treatment program for teens with phobias
- Benefits of residential treatment for teens with phobias
A phobia is an anxiety disorder characterized by excessive and irrational fear. Teens with phobias experience intense and overpowering anxiety, fear, or a deep sense of dread in certain situations, places, or the presence of certain objects. Unlike other anxiety disorders in adolescence, phobias are associated with specific items, situations, or spaces. Common phobias involve animals, blood, heights, enclosed spaces, insects, and flying. Phobias involve the same things are normal fears, but the effects of phobias are severe. Teens with this disorder normally limit their lives to avoid encountering whatever they fear.
Early detection and treatment are crucial for phobias to allow a teen to go about their lives usually. Phobias can dictate a teen’s school life, driving route, recreational activities, school, and home environment. For a phobia to be diagnosed, it must have lasted at least six months for it to be considered one rather than just transient fear.
At Key Healthcare, phobias are diagnosed by a child psychiatrist or psychologist after a psychiatric and medical evaluation. Once diagnosed, parents will be advised on the most appropriate treatment plan. If you note any signs of severe anxiety in specific situations in your child, you can help by seeking an evaluation as soon as possible to prevent future problems.
Types of Adolescent Phobias
The common types of phobias seen in teens include:
Specific Phobias
Also known as simple phobia, this is the most common form of phobia. Teens with this phobia may fear specific animals such as cats, dogs, spiders, people, e.g., Clowns, dentists, or environments, e.g., high places, closed spaces, or dark places. Most teens with simple phobias may avoid the specific object causing fear, especially if it’s easy to do so. Specific phobias may partly be genetic or as a result of trauma.
Agoraphobia
Agoraphobia is the fear of places or situations that are embarrassing or you can’t quickly escape from. The word means the fear of open spaces, and teens with this condition may be scared of being in a group of people, large crowds, or being trapped outside their homes. They may fear having a panic attack or medical emergency in a situation or place they cannot quickly leave. The anxiety caused by agoraphobia is extreme, and teens with this disorder may avoid social events like going to the movies, concerts, church, or being on a bus, train, or plane.
Social Anxiety Disorder
Social phobia is a fear of social or performance situations. It does not necessarily need to be interacting with big crowds, and simple situations such as speaking in class, ordering at a restaurant, or answering the phone can cause extreme anxiety. It can lead to self-isolation as teens with social anxiety disorder go out of their way to avoid public interaction.
Other types of phobias
Although phobias are mostly categorized into the three we have discussed, here are a few more common forms:
- Claustrophobia: This is the extreme fear of enclosed or tight spaces, such as being in a lift or vehicle.
- Acrophobia: This is the fear of heights. Teens with this phobia will avoid high floors on buildings, mountains, or bridges.
- Glossophobia: Also known as performance anxiety, it is the fear of speaking in front of an audience.
- Nyctophobia: This is the fear of darkness or nighttime, which typically begins as a childhood fear and progresses into the teen years. If not treated, it may progress into adult years.
Signs and Symptoms of Adolescent Phobias
When a teen is exposed to or anticipate exposure to a specific situation, object, or place they have a phobia for, they can exhibit any of the following symptoms:
Physical Symptoms
- Racing heart
- Excessive sweating
- Chest pains
- Dry mouth
- Hit flushes and chills
- Stomach upsets
- Inability to speak or rapid speech
- Shortness of breath
- Feeling of choking
- Dizziness or lightheadedness
- Fainting
- Shaking
Psychological Symptoms
- Fear of dying
- Feeling out of touch with reality
- Fear of losing control
- Feel like throwing up
- Feelings of dread
Causes of Teen Phobias
Phobias happen when your brain takes fear or anxiety to the extreme. Under normal circumstances, fear might be the brain’s warning against certain situations, making it protective and necessary. It’s hard even for experts to understand how these fears turn into phobias. Some factors that may contribute to phobias, according to research, include:
Genetics
Some phobias, such as fear of certain situations, animals, blood, or injury, have been linked to teens with a family member with that type of phobia.
Traumatic events
Teens who have experienced a traumatizing, life-changing event or seen it happen to someone else may develop a phobia of the situation, object, or place.
Learned fears
Some phobias result from something a teen learns from others or about. For instance, teens with overprotective parents may develop a social phobia.
Diagnosis of Adolescent Phobias
Phobias are an irrational and abnormal fear of common and sometimes uncommon objects. Teens with phobias are usually fully aware of their phobias and try to avoid whatever they fear. Teens may live with a phobia without it being formally diagnosed and treated.
Phobias should be diagnosed and treated as soon as the signs emerge to avoid extreme cases that can interfere with their daily lives. Phobias can be diagnosed in the following ways:
Medical Evaluation
A qualified health professional can order a complete medical evaluation for teens whose parents note severe physical signs of anxiety in their kids.
Psychological Testing
Once a medical evaluation has been done, a psychiatrist or psychologist can order a complete psych evaluation to diagnose some types of phobias.
Diagnostic Interview
Phobias may also be diagnosed through a diagnostic interview. The psychiatrist talks to your teen and asks questions regarding the phobia. The questions they may ask include:
- Phobia triggers the teenager is aware of
- The symptoms they experience and their severity
- When the symptoms started
- If there is a history of traumatic events or other factors that could cause a phobia
- The teen’s current lifestyle and if the phobia affects it
How Residential Treatment for Adolescent Phobias Can Help
Teen Residential treatment programs provide a suitable environment for teens with phobias to focus on their mental health and fully recover. During residential treatment, teens stay in the facility for any time between 4 weeks and 3 months. The program suits teens needing more help than outpatient or teen partial hospitalization programs. It’s especially recommended for teens who may pause as a danger to themselves or others.
Residential treatment programs provide intensive medical help for severe emotional and adolescent behavior problems. Phobias can affect the daily routines of a teen and affect their productivity and ability to carry on with mundane tasks. Residential treatment programs can provide help for teens with phobias in the following ways:
Comprehensive Assessment and Evaluation
A residential treatment program will comprehensively evaluate the condition before any treatment commences. Treatment assesses the teen’s behavioral, emotional, medical, educational, and social needs to ascertain that they need extra help. A comprehensive assessment consists of the following:
Psychological Testing
A mental health professional such as a psychologist or psychiatrist who specializes in working with teenagers will carry out a psychological test to analyze the overall mental health of the teenager.
Medical Evaluation
The treatment team can also carry out a physical examination to rule out medical issues that may be causing anxiety and contributing to your teen’s phobias.
Diagnostic Interview
Once psychological and physical evaluations have been conducted, the medical professional will carry out a diagnostic evaluation. This is a simple sit-down examination with the teen during which the mental health professional asks a couple of questions associated with phobias to ascertain when the symptoms manifested and how they affect the teens day to day life.
Individualized Treatment Planning
A teen residential treatment offers 24/7 care and support for teens with phobias. The residential treatment aims to help teens cope with the phobia and live a healthy, productive life. During your child’s stay at a residential treatment center, they will enjoy the following benefits:
Tailored Treatment Approach
Before a teen starts receiving treatment through a residential treatment program, the medical team will conduct psych, medical and diagnostic evaluations. This enables the team to provide a tailored treatment approach to suit the patient’s needs and issues. This is done through:
- Teen Individual therapy: teens have weekly sessions with a trained counselor to explore their fears and emotions and gain insight into how their thoughts and behaviors impact their lives and contribute to the phobias.
- Teen group therapy: teens share their experiences with phobias and get an opportunity to learn from others undergoing treatment in a safe and supportive environment.
- Recreation therapies such as teen yoga, teen art, and teen surf therapy can help teens reduce stress, gain a better sense of self, and pursue their passions.
Multidisciplinary Team
Throughout treatment, teens have access to a diverse team of professionals, including clinicians, therapists, psychiatrists, and psychologists. This ensures teens in a residential treatment program have access to professionals who can meet their needs.
Family Involvement
The family plays a crucial role in a teenager’s treatment process and recovery. Residential treatment programs work with families to address issues such as building healthy boundaries, communication problems, and developing healthy coping skills to support long terms recovery.
Evidence-Based Therapies
Teens struggling with phobias undergo many proven therapies to help them make a full recovery and get back on track. The teen therapies range from evidence-based interventions to holistic approaches such as meditation and mindfulness. Through individualized treatment programs, teens can undergo the following evidence-based treatment modalities depending on the individual needs and forms of phobias:
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
One of the most commonly used treatments for phobias is teen Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT.) It’s a type of psychotherapy based on the idea that our thoughts and feelings are connected, so if we can change one, we can change the other. CBT attempts to treat phobias by helping teens adjust their behavior ad thinking surrounding fear.
The therapy focuses on changing negative behaviors, thoughts, beliefs, and adverse reactions towards situations and objects causing phobia. Over time, CBT can help teenagers cope better with the fear and anxiety they experience in the presence of or when they anticipate a phobia.
Exposure Therapy
Another popular form of treatment for phobias. It can be done in real life by exposing the teen to their fear in real life or through an imaginary process. The imaginary route is best when the phobia is dangerous to be around in real life.
It can be done in two ways:
- Systemic desensitization: this method of exposure therapy is also known as graded exposure. It involves gradually exposing the patient to parts of whatever triggers their phobias. Over time, the therapist helps them work through parts of their fears, starting from the least troubling and building up to the most troubling. It also helps in adjusting their thinking and reactions to manage feelings of anxiety and fear.
- Flooding: This technique involves the teenager to the phobia triggers themselves, but unlike systemic desensitization, it’s not done in small bits over time. Flooding helps teens adjust to triggers and control their anxiety. The technique is not quite common, but it helps with phobias and must be used cautiously.
Group Therapy
Phobias can be challenging for anyone other than the patient or someone else going through a similar situation to understand. Teen group therapy is a form of counseling involving a group of teens who share similar experiences. The group is moderated by a therapist that guides the teens through different issues. It provides the much-needed support a teen need to work through their phobia issue. A teen can also learn how to be more self-aware and resilient.
Safe and Supportive Environment
A residential treatment program is designed with each teen in mind. For the patient to make a full recovery and enjoy a safe, suitable environment, the following are provided:
24/7 Supervision
Teens will be provided 24/7 supervision by committed staff who work closely with each teen to support their recovery. The staff ensures the teens are safe and well-fed, attend therapy sessions on time, and take medication as required.
Comfortable Living Arrangements
Teens are provided with a comfortable living environment away from their phobia triggers. They are guaranteed a bed and daily meals, and they can enjoy recreational activities and access to exercise equipment. They will also be allocated chores within the facility to promote responsibility. The facility must also be well maintained in terms of hygiene standards to provide a suitable environment for teens to recover fully.
Nutritious Meals
Teen Residential treatment programs provide three healthy meals (breakfast, lunch, and supper) for teens daily. The foods are nutritious to promote healthy brain development and support recovery. The meals are also supplemented with healthy snacks between main meals to ensure the teen is well-fed to meet nutritional requirements.
Benefits of Residential Treatment for Adolescent Phobias
Residential treatment programs are crucial for teens struggling with phobias, especially if you have already tried other options, such as outpatient treatment with no success. Apart from providing a safe and supportive environment for teens to grow, residential treatment has the following benefits:
- Managing physical, mental, and emotional effects of phobias.
- Testing and treating other health issues occurring due to phobias. The teenager undergoes a physical exam before embarking on the treatment program to understand any underlying conditions that require treatment.
- Access to group therapy and secure social networks built around phobias and recovery. Your child can interact with teens facing similar issues and learn from peers that it’s normal and they are not alone.
- The program offers different forms of treatment, including psychotherapy, such as cognitive behavior therapy for teens, dialectical behavior therapy (DBT for teens), family therapy, and exposure therapy, so the medical team will find a form of treatment that works for your child’s phobia. Residential treatment also incorporates recreational therapies such as teen music therapy, teen art therapy and yoga for teens to grow their passions and sense of self.
How a Residential Treatment Center Can Specifically Help an Adolescent Struggling with Phobias
Residential treatment can help teens with phobias by removing them from an environment where they are constantly exposed to the object or situation they have a phobia for, such as tall buildings in school or a home environment where a traumatic experience happened.
During their stay at residential treatment, the teen can be treated using different forms of treatment, including CBT, exposure therapy, and medication, if necessary, in preparation for them to go back home. The medical team will also prepare a teen aftercare plan that will be useful once the teen completes the treatment.
How to find the best Residential Treatment Program
Finding the best residential treatment program that’s the right fit for your teen can be challenging, especially for teens struggling with phobias. Here are a few tips for evaluating residential treatment programs:
- Find programs that are licensed to provide mental health care for teens. Licensing differs from state to state, and some programs are accredited nationally. Ensure the program has a valid license to offer care.
- Check for online reviews and experiences from other families and youth undergoing the treatment. You can check the program on social media sites or reviews on their website. If you know a family member or friend whose child has completed the program, they can be in a better position to recommend the program.
- Ensure the treatment methods used are evidence-based, and the program has a routine of maintaining safe behaviors, promoting positive ones, and teaching positive coping skills. Any form of punishment or threats and intimidation should not be allowed.
- Ask questions regarding the staff, services, or the facility at the program. Ensure you leave there feeling assured that your child is in safe hands. Ensure you know how they monitor the treatment progress.
- Ensure the residential program is specially formulated for teens or has experience dealing with teens with similar issues.
What to Expect during the Key Healthcare Residential Treatment for Adolescent Phobias
The key healthcare residential treatment is a 45–60-day program in Malibu, California. The program specializes in CBT and other psychotherapy treatments for troubled teens. The challenge provides a safe and supportive environment for teens to heal and recover. The program utilizes evidence-based clinical modalities to help teens overcome their phobias. You can expect the following during the Key Healthcare RTC program:
- Individual therapy for teens: your child will have access to weekly individual therapy with a licensed therapist.
- Group therapy for teens: this is a vital component in the treatment of phobias. During group therapy sessions, teens can interact with others who share similar experiences and learn from one another.
- Nutrition and exercise: teens will have access to a healthy diet and regular exercise, essential for their physical and mental health.
- Holistic and recreational therapy: other than CBT and exposure therapy, teens will enjoy holistic therapies such as music production, yoga, art, and surf therapy which help reduce stress and work on their passion.
- Academic support: we offer academic support to ensure your child stays on top of their schoolwork during their stay at the clinic.
Conclusion
Phobias can be life-altering for teens and require immediate treatment to prevent more issues. Once you notice the symptoms of phobias, seek medical help immediately for treatment to commence immediately.
The Key Healthcare residential treatment will provide a diagnosis and medical and psych evaluation to determine the best form of treatment for your teen. We will also guide you on the admission, treatment, and discharge process and how you can support your child throughout treatment.
Key Healthcare works with most insurance providers, meaning you can have 100% of your costs covered by insurance. To learn more about the residential treatment program, contact us today.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How long does residential treatment for adolescent phobias last?
Residential treatment programs last anywhere between 3 weeks to 60 days, depending on the severity of the issue. During that duration, teenagers stay in a treatment facility and receive treatment in an environment that removes temptations and triggers present at home.
What are the qualifications of the staff at a residential treatment center for adolescent phobias?
Mental health workers should have received the necessary training and education to deal with phobias and be certified to similar provide services in the same way. Previous experience working with teens in a similar mental healthcare setting is also highly preferred. Apart from training and qualification, they should also be compassionate, strong-willed, and patient in dealing with teenagers.
How can family members be involved in the treatment process?
Family members can attend family therapy sessions with the teen to learn more about their condition and be guided to resources that can help the family help the teen better. It’s also essential to go to therapy to address issues family members may be experiencing, including communication barriers, poor coping skills, and lack of boundaries. Families should also educate themselves about phobias and the recovery process to support the patient.
How do I know if my adolescent needs residential treatment for their phobia?
Your teen needs residential treatment if outpatient treatment does not show any success in treating their phobias. If they lack the necessary support in outpatient or partial hospitalization and are a safety concern to themselves and those around them, it’s time for residential treatment.
What happens after my adolescent completes residential treatment for their phobia?
Once a teen has completed the residential treatment, it’s essential to keep up with aftercare given by the health management team. They will need family engagement, medical and therapeutic support, and community support through support groups for successful recovery.
Who is eligible for residential treatment for teen phobias?
Residential treatment suits teens with phobias that could lead to impulsivity, medical problems, high-risk behaviors, or compliance issues. It’s also recommended for teens that need a more structured and stabilized routine than outpatient programs can offer.
