Most kids get nervous about going back to school. There are new teachers to meet, schedules to remember, hallways to navigate, and social circles to impress. They might feel anxiety about finding somewhere to sit at lunch, or feel overwhelmed by some harder coursework they’ve taken on. For most students, however, these feelings are temporary. After the initial back-to-school bustle, most children and teens will settle and get back into the swing of things within a few weeks.
There are some students, however, who struggle a bit more with going back to school. They might meet the mornings with extreme resistance and worry. They might cry, cling, and/or complain of not feeling well. Some might skip school altogether. Lasting for several weeks or months, this school anxiety might get in the way of their ability to learn and form relationships in school.
School anxiety is not a formal mental health diagnosis. However, a persistent fear of going to school is associated with other common mental illnesses, such as anxiety disorders, phobias, PTSD, and depression. It’s estimated that as many as 5% of children battle school anxiety or school phobia.
If your son or daughter is struggling with school-related anxiety, there are steps you can take to help ease their transition this back-to-school season. Read on for tips on how to cope with school anxiety, as well as how to identify and address the symptoms in your teen.
What is School Anxiety?
School anxiety is a persistent worry about, or fear of, going to school. It is a type of situational anxiety that appears between the ages of five and 17, according to McClean Hospital, and is a psychological response to stressful or unfamiliar circumstances.
School anxiety is commonly called school phobia, school refusal, or school avoidance. Some may also call it scolionophobia or didaskaleinophobia, both of which mean “fear of going to school.” In any naming convention, school anxiety is not recognized by medical professionals as a formal mental health diagnosis. It is, however, a common symptom of other mental health conditions, such as social anxiety disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
What Causes School Anxiety?
There is not a single, known cause of school anxiety, but there are common precursors to the condition. Those who are away from school for a long period of time – such as summer break, or at home due to an illness – might develop anxiety around going back to school. Stressful life changes, such as moving and entering a new school, can also trigger school-related anxiety. In younger children, separation anxiety and attention-seeking are common causes of school refusal.
Frequently, though, those who have had bad experiences at school can develop a reluctance or fear of school. For example, academic pressure and performance-related anxiety often leads to school anxiety. Being bullied, threatened, or even pressured by peers can also lead to school avoidance – and it’s more common than we think. More than one in five high school students report being bullied on school property; and an increasing number (about nine percent in 2021) of high school students report having skipped school in the last month, because they felt unsafe. This perceived lack of safety, and school avoidance as a result, is more significant among LGBTQ+ students, female students, and minority groups. Traumatic experiences in school settings, such as those related to bullying or school shootings, can also cause school avoidance.
Additionally, it’s worth noting that pre-teens and teenagers are typically more susceptible to school anxiety than other age groups. This is because of all the developmental changes that teenagers are undergoing. They are changing physically and emotionally, and feeling an increased pressure to fit in and find themselves. Teens tend to prioritize and stress about their social status; when they feel rejected or inadequate, this can trigger feelings of anxiety and a general reluctance to go to school. Additionally, with teenagers looking to engage in more enjoyable or rewarding activities, they may try to prioritize their own interests (such as video games) over attending class.
What are the Symptoms of School Anxiety?
Young children and teenagers may exhibit different signs of school anxiety and avoidance. Their symptoms may be physical, psychological, or emotional. However, as explained by the American Academy of Pediatrics:
“Many children who try to avoid going to school have anxiety-related symptoms over which they have no conscious control. They may experience headaches, stomachaches, hyperventilation, nausea or dizziness—symptoms that happen most often on school days, and are usually absent on weekends. When these children are examined by a doctor, no physical illnesses are detected or diagnosed.”
On top of these vague and unexplainable symptoms, children and teenagers with school-related anxiety may also display:
- Unusual levels of clinginess to parents/family
- Increased irritability, sadness, and general feelings of upset
- Persistent worry, fear, and/or negative thoughts
- Excessive crying spells or temper tantrums
- Restlessness
- Changes in eating or sleeping habits
- Difficulty concentrating
- Drop in academic performance
- Skipping school or class
- Claiming to be sick to stay home
- Signs of anxiety, depression, or panic
- Threats of self-harm
Remember, it’s normal for children and teenagers to exhibit feelings of apprehension or anxiety during big transitions. Moving to a new school district, or going to high school for the first time, can cause school anxiety—but symptoms usually dissipate within a week or two. Prolonged anxiety surrounding school attendance, and persistence of the symptoms above, is a cause for concern. Symptoms that last longer than a few weeks typically indicate an underlying mental health disorder, which requires professional support.
As a parent, it’s important to address these symptoms early on, as school anxiety and avoidance can have negative implications on a person’s educational and social development. Left untreated, unaddressed mental health symptoms can also hinder their emotional and behavioral health. Read on to learn how you can support your son or daughter through this time and tackle school anxiety head-on.
What are the Best Solutions for Dealing with School Anxiety?
As a parent, there are steps you can take to help your child manage feelings of anxiety and fear. If they are scared to go to school, or are flat-out avoiding school attendance, you can help them get to the root of the issue, develop coping strategies, and create room for a more positive school experience.
- Be a present and supportive parent.
Connecting with your child is one of the best ways you can support them through this time. Set aside 10+ minutes a day where you can spend some quality time with your child, without distractions like screens or other family members. Establishing this one-on-one time will allow you to ask them questions about their mental health, their experiences at school and with friends, and their attitudes. Be sure to keep these questions open-ended, so that you can better understand the reasons for their fears or anxieties. Additionally, be sure to validate your teen’s feelings and normalize their experiences. All the while, offer affirmations like “you can do this” and “you are so brave,” to help them push through.
Additionally, keep tabs on your teen – their whereabouts, friend groups, feelings and concerns. Parental monitoring and involvement is one of the most important, protective factors in keeping teenagers safe. It’s associated with decreased risk of substance use, dangerous sexual activity, experiences of violence, and suicidal thoughts and behaviors. With pressure and lack of perceived safety being common reasons for school avoidance, parents can play a key role in ensuring their teens have more positive experiences inside and outside school walls.
- Encourage coping skills and stress management techniques.
Although school anxiety is often a symptom of deeper-seated mental health issues, there are coping mechanisms you can help your teen implement at home. For example, encourage (and model!) self-care and stress management techniques like journaling, mindfulness, meditation, and healthy hobbies where they can channel their energy. You should also practice healthy habits such as cooking nutritious meals, exercising regularly, and minimizing screens before sleep, to ensure your teen’s basic needs are met. Additionally, encourage your teen to have a schedule, before and after school, to establish a routine throughout the day—this can make things more manageable and predictable over time, and minimizes the stress around going to school.
- Highlight the positive aspects of going to school.
This is easier said than done, but this strategy is twofold: Parents can help shed light on the important and meaningful aspects of going to school. For example, perhaps there is a really awesome teacher at school, or a few friends that your teen has really connected with. Maybe there are certain sports or clubs they are interested in trying, or subjects they wish to explore. Find ways to engage and connect your teen more at school, to help them feel more motivated to attend.
On a similar note, you can also make staying home – and avoiding school – a bit less enjoyable. Teenagers may feel more drawn to staying home if it means they can play video games, read their fantasy novels, watch television, or have a laid back day. So, parents can ensure that if their child is staying home for extended periods (and isn’t truly sick) that they still maintain some sort of schedule or responsibilities. This might mean carving out some time for school assignments or study.
- Connect with your child’s school.
As a parent, you are your child’s biggest advocate. If your teen is struggling with school anxiety, do not hesitate to reach out to the school’s guidance counselor or your child’s teacher to talk through your concerns. More than likely, the faculty will offer solutions for making your teen feel more comfortable at school. They may be able to adjust assignments, expectations, or even learning environments to help your child succeed.
Of course, if you suspect your child is being treated poorly at school, this is also important to address. If your teen has been subject to discrimination, bullying, or has anxiety because of a particular teacher or social circle, call the school and report your worries. They may be able to offer support.
- Get a mental health assessment.
If school anxiety has prolonged for several weeks, affects their daily routine, and evolves into symptoms of anxiety disorder or another mental health condition, do not hesitate to find professional help. Mental illness is an frequent underlying cause of school avoidance and refusal. Make an appointment with your family physician or pediatrician and request a mental health screening.
You may also reach out to a mental health treatment provider for support. Turnbridge, for example, specializes in helping teenagers and young adults overcome mental health conditions like anxiety, depression, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, and more. Our adolescent treatment programs also offer an academic advising component, ensuring teens are able to complete their high school education and prepare for college, while receiving the treatment they need and deserve.
If you suspect that your teen’s school avoidance is related to underlying mental health conditions, we are here for you. Call Turnbridge at 877-581-1793 to speak with a treatment specialist today.