QUESTION: I am having the darndest time getting my young son off to school each day.
He will use any excuse not to go.
One of the teachers called this a "school phobia" and suggested that I seek some counseling and help for my child.
What do you think? Does this phobia really exist?
ANSWER: I think many experts agree that there is a condition called "school phobia" and that it may be more common than once thought.
However, in many cases it is more truly a fear of leaving home than a horror of being in school.
Actually many of these children want to attend their classes but suffer from the effects of a separation anxiety, not wishing to leave the protection of their home and parents.
Some fear their mother will desert them when they are away at school and will put up quite a battle when the moment to leave arrives, clinging to the mother, crying and screaming.
Many develop complaints of headache, dizziness, abdominal pains, nausea and vomiting, all of which resolve quite rapidly when they are permitted to stay at home.
To be sure, some events at school, such as a school bully or an overcritical teacher may aid the development of the problem, as will a fear of certain subjects. Most of these children have an average or superior intelligence, and the problem may occur in families of all social, ethnic, religious and economic classes.
Do not confuse school phobia with truancy, where the child leaves home without any problem, but does not attend school, roaming the streets instead with others who are also "taking the day off".
These youngsters are frequently poor students, and their parents are unaware of the absence. School phobia is a complex problem in many cases and seeking professional help in these cases is well advised.
The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace the counsel and advice of your personal physician.
Promptly consulting your doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical problem.
