Medical term of the week: Didaskaleinophobia

Do you look back fondly on your school days? Hours of fun in the school yard, giggling in class with your best friend? Unfortunately not everyone sees it that way. Didaskaleinophobia, or school phobia, is more common than you would think. Some 2 to 5 per cent of school-aged children are known to suffer from the condition. The most obvious sign is that your child may refuse to go to school. In others, it may manifest as anxiety, temper tantrums or sleep disturbances. Educational and behavioural therapy, and sometimes medications, are used to treat the condition.