My child has an extreme phobia of buzzers, specifically thatwhich you hear in a basketball game. he covers his ears, sweats and his heart beats fast. opinions?

Bodily reaction: Your child may be responding in an exaggerated manner, but most people have a somewhat negative reaction to that loud and obnoxious buzzer. This reaction--covering the ears, at least--is also common when emergency vehicles drive by with sirens blaring. Our bodies do respond with a sympathetic nervous system reaction, which includes rapid heart beat. If this causes problems a therapist can help.

Treatable: Specific phobias usually respond well to treatment, often without the need for medication. The specific type of "talk therapy" often used is cognitive-behavioral therapy, with a technique called systematic desensitization. A rule of thumb is that if the phobia interferes with involvement in life activities or causes significant psychological distress, it's worth seeking treatment. Best wishes.

More information: I'm wondering the age of the child, when this began and what led to this reaction. Generally cognitive- behavioral treatment such as systematic desensitization can be quite effective w phobias, and similar anxiety problems. Seek help from a psychologist or mh professional who specializes.