Contact: Mary Tressel
925-798-9421
mary@tresselpr.com
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 16, 2003
Halloween Hangovers for Kids--It’s Not Just the Candy
Scary Movies Can Have Lasting Effects on Children's Behavior
San Francisco, CA - If cavities
are parents’ biggest concern about Halloween, they may be ignoring a much more
serious result of the holiday. Children who view the fright-filled movies of
the season often exhibit psychological reactions to this exposure which spill
over into classroom and playtime behavior, according to Mary C. Lamia, Ph.D.,
a member of the San Francisco Psychoanalytic Institute.
“The real danger of children watching
frightening videos is the concentration problems that result from their preoccupation
with what they have seen,” says Lamia, who chairs the SFPI&S Public Information
Committee. “It's like a thought they can't shake. They may talk about the movie
incessantly, have difficulty concentrating or act up in class as a way to cope
with what they experienced by watching the film.”
Lamia suggests that a child often
becomes obsessed with the content he has viewed as an adaptation to being overstimulated.
If a child views a particularly frightening movie during the Halloween season,
Lamia suggests the following ways for parents to help a child move on:
- Discuss the movie with the child and ask questions concerning what was
scary and why.
- Make sure the child understands the difference between fantasy and reality.
- Comfort a child who has nightmares.
- Never express amusement at a child’s fears; it is humiliating.
- Distract the child with other activities so he can learn to focus on something
else. Teach the child how to distract himself productively.
Lamia also encourages parents
and children to avoid succumbing to peer pressure. “Teach your children that
it is okay to protect their own thoughts by admitting that Halloween movies
scare them and they don't like to feel that way,” says Lamia.
Dr. Lamia hosts the call-in show “KidTalk with Dr. Mary” on local Radio Disney where children can ask questions and get advice on fun and difficult issues.
She has a child and adult psychotherapy practice in Marin County.
Dr. Lamia received her B.A. from the University of California-Berkeley, her M.A. from San Francisco State University and her Ph.D. from the California School of Professional Psychology.
The San Francisco Psychoanalytic Institute and Society is a nonprofit organization and was founded over 50 years ago.
Psychoanalysts are experienced mental health professionals, already possessing advanced degrees (MD’s, PhD’s, MSW’s), who have undergone at least eight years of psychoanalytic training.
Dr. Lamia is available for interviews on children's psychological issues. To arrange an interview, contact Mary Tressel at 925-798-9421.
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