10/27/2026
Halloween is just around the corner, bringing costumes, spooky decorations and plenty of pretend monsters. But for some children and teenagers, the scariest things aren’t ghosts or spooky pumpkins. Something as small as a bug can trigger overwhelming fear and anxiety.
For 8-year-old Joseph Jones, an encounter with a bug could turn an ordinary day into a frightening experience.
“I noticed that he had a huge fear of bugs. He had very strong, loud, fearful reactions to any type of bug,” said his mother, Laura Jones. “He would scream, cry, throw himself on the ground or run away. There was a lot of fear and anxiety when it came to the bugs.”
Joseph loves playing outdoors, but his fear became so overwhelming that he avoided going outside, walking through the yard or entering certain rooms in his home alone. Seeking help, the family turned to Cook Children’s, where Dr. Moen helped Joseph and his mother develop strategies to manage his anxiety through gradual exposure and supportive language.
Instead of immediately removing an insect, Laura learned to acknowledge Joseph’s fear while encouraging him to face the situation. Within the first month, Joseph showed significant improvement when encountering bugs.
According to Amanda L. Moen, Ph.D., a licensed psychologist at Cook Children’s , fear is a normal part of childhood development.
“Fear is an emotion that basically tells us there is a potential threat in the environment that we should be aware of,” Dr. Moen said. However, when fear becomes intense, persistent or interferes with everyday activities, it may be a sign of a phobia.
To learn more about how to help your family face their fears, visit: https://shorturl.at/A79Kh
