What is anxiety
What is anxiety
All students feel anxious at times.
Many young students, for example, show great distress when separated from their
parents. Young students are often frightened of strangers, thunderstorms, or
the dark. These are normal and usually short-lived anxieties. But some students
suffer from anxieties severe enough to interfere with the daily activities of
childhood or adolescence.
Anxious students may lose friends and
be left out of social activities. They often experience academic failure and low
self-esteem. Because many students with this disorder are quiet and compliant,
the signs are often missed. Teachers and parents should be aware of the signs
of a possible anxiety disorder so that appropriate referrals can be made.
Signs of anxiety may present
differently in children and adolescents than in adults. Common signs can
include:
-
Excessive and
persistent worry -
Restlessness and
irritability -
Crying or losing
temper easily or frequently -
Avoidance and
procrastination -
Disruption to sleep
and eating patterns -
Decline in academic
performance -
Truancy and school
refusal -
Increased use of
alcohol or other drugs -
Withdrawal from
social, class or school activities -
Tiredness and fatigue
