They are not "afraid". They use their "fear" as an excuse for control, or they are looking for attention snowflakes "afraid" so someone will come comfort them.
I say give them all the attention they can stand. A co-worker was complaining of having to sanitize his home of all guns anything, otherwise when is daughter brought her boyfriend for Thanksgiving, if the lil snowflake saw anything gun/hunting he would hunch up on the couch and withdraw into himself. (looking for attention/making a spectacle of himself) I suggested getting a switch, and when he got out of the car lay into him until he maned up and defended himself or he could no longer produce grandchildren. Win win either way.