School Anxiety

February 7, 2019

SCHOOL ANXIETY

What is anxiety? Anxiety is a physiological response caused by the brain when it perceives danger. Anxiety occurs when the brain perceives the threat to be beyond the real-life risk and activates the fight/flight/freeze response. In the mind of the anxious child, this is irrelevant, because it feels just the same as being chased by a vicious dog. They are driven by a brain which believes there is a significant threat and acts as though it is true. Unfortunately, brains can be very convincing, but not always accurate in their perceptions. The child may fight (become defiant), flight (avoid school, ask to get picked up) or freeze (withdraw, refuse).

How to deal with it? When you’re dealing with an anxious child, remember that this fear overrides logic, and the fear will cause the child’s brain to fight to keep them safe. This desire for safety is automatic and instinctual; they are not in control of it. Firstly, we need to calm this heightened emotion.

What can you do?

  1. Stay calm yourself- adding further anxiety or stress will heighten the child

  2. Talk openly with your child about their concerns, and let them know that nerves are normal

  3. Educate yourself and your child about anxiety and explain why the physical symptoms occur

  4. Problem-solve any issues they are concerned about (if possible)

  5. Help them to be organised- being organised brings a sense of calm

  6. Use mindfulness strategies to bring their mind back into the moment, teaching them to be -‘the boss’ of their overprotective brain. The Smiling Mind app is an excellent resource.

  7. Get active and sleep well.

  8. If the anxiety continues, bring in other supports- talk to your child’s teacher, school counsellors, family doctor, etc.

When does school anxiety become school refusal? Multiple occurrences of anxiety-based absenteeism or inability to remain at school for the whole day. If this occurs multiple times and remains unresolved, contact the school as soon as possible, the earlier we work together to resolve the problems, the better the outcome.

St Patrick’s College has two school counsellors: Eric Hayes and Jay Katrak, and a Provisional Psychologist: Rebecca Petrie. Please feel free to contact them, or your child’s homeroom teacher, if you wish to discuss your concerns or would like more information.