ANXIETY DISORDERS
Anxiety Disorders are the most common type of mental health disorder in children and young people.
SUPPORTING STUDENTS MORE INFORMATION
Causes of anxiety disorders
- Factors that contribute to the development of anxiety disorders include: genetic predisposition, psychological factors and environmental factors.
Symptoms of anxiety disorders
- Symptoms fall into two groups: physical symptoms like headaches or feeling sick; and emotional symptoms like nervousness and fear.
- Anxiety disorders, when severe, can affect a child's thinking, decision-making ability, perception of the environment and learning and concentration.
- It can raise blood pressure and heart rate and can cause vomiting, stomach pain, ulcers, diarrhoea, tingling, weakness and shortness of breath.
Treatment for anxiety disorders
- Treatment for anxiety disorders may include some form of psychotherapy, cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and or medications.
Supporting students with anxiety disorders
Understanding anxiety
- Recognise that anxiety can seriously impact on a young person’s life and they need understanding and support to help them manage the condition.
- Talking can help but it may take some time for a young person to feel confident or comfortable to express their worries or concerns.
Helpful activities
- Build Mindfulness exercises into the school routine, e.g. 5 mins exercise at the start of the lesson.
- Distraction activities can be useful. Make a box of distraction activities such as mindful colouring, sensory materials such as play dough, fiddle toys. Place the box in an accessible place so it can be used when required.
- Practical help to prioritise and organise workload as students may fall behind and become overwhelmed. For example, teacher notes on missed work, 1-1 meeting to discuss subject priorities and deadlines.
Classroom culture
- Provide a calm and quiet space that can be accessed with a time out card.
- Positive feedback and praise when a young person does something well or overcomes a challenge.
- Recognise and value all contributions to school life not only the academic or outstanding achievements.
More information
Information from Royal College of Psychiatrists for parents & teachers on different types of anxieties that children might feel and some of the reasons behind these. Anthony C James, Tessa Readon, Anthea Solar, Georgina James, Cathy Creswell From a new series of films by Oxford Health aiming to promote conversations about mental health issues.
