Teen Anxiety in School
Many people have woken up in cold sweats, worrying about missing school tests from years or even decades before. School’s unique social and educational pressures are enough to give adults lifelong anxieties. This unfortunate fact is even more true for current students, who have to balance social life, education, and responsibilities at home. Teen anxiety in school wracks the brains of millions of students worldwide, including in Canada.
Teen anxiety in school can lead to negative behaviours. Some teens crack under the pressure of school performance and the need to get into a good college. They suffer from mental breakdowns or become withdrawn from life. Many drop out of high school or college, limiting their future employment prospects. Other teens find ways to cope with the pressures of school via substance abuse, or abuse substances like Adderall in order to succeed.
How Does School Anxiety Manifest?
Before teenagers can cope with anxiety with destructive behaviours, they first attend school despite the anxiety. Anxiety disorders manifest themselves for a number of reasons, and in a number of ways. The most important commonality is that something or someone triggers your teen, which causes a fight or flight response. These responses can include outbursts and panic attacks.
Teens face a number of prospective triggers during the school day. They could have bullies on their school bus, or in the classroom and hallways. The negative impacts of bullying are self-evident, and having to deal with them daily can definitely lead to teen anxiety in school. An overly strict teacher or class could also be a trigger. Intense classes and strict teachers impose pressure on students, and that intensity also causes school anxiety.
Traumatic events are also a universal cause of anxiousness. If your teen has gone through a violent or traumatizing event related to or located at school, it stands to reason that they’d have school anxiety.
Does My Child Suffer From Teen Anxiety in School?
How can you, the parent, tell if your child has teen anxiety in school? Pay attention to how they talk — or whether they talk at all — about the school day. If they look nervous, talk tersely, or try to avoid the subject, it’s a possible sign of anxiety. Other signs and symptoms of school anxiety include:
- Panic attacks
- Fatigue and problems sleeping
- Headaches and stomach aches
- Sweating and chest pain
- Intense worry and stress
Make sure to keep a line of communication open with school staff if you suspect your child has anxiety. School staff, including teachers, coaches, and counselors, have more access to your child daily than you do. They will be able to see and analyze a whole range of behaviors that you may not ever hear about.
Teen Anxiety Treatment in Canada
Are you worried that teen anxiety in school will destroy your child’s eagerness or willingness to learn? Do you fear the multiple negative behaviours that could result from school anxiety? If so, contact Venture Academy online!
Venture Academy offers anxiety treatment and education in a safe and secure environment. Our 30-day assessment will let us and you know the extent of your teen’s school anxiety issues. Restore peace of mind to you and your teen by calling 866.762.2211 today. The solution to teen anxiety in school is just a phone call away.
