Stress and Anxiety in Students January 15, 2019 Dr. Christina Conolly, NCSP Director Division of Psychological Services
Participants will gain: ◦ An understanding of what stress is Intended ◦ Effects of stress and school performance Outcomes ◦ An understanding of what causes anxiety disorders ◦ Steps families can take to decrease stress for students 2
Youth Mental Health by the Numbers Did you know… ◦ 1 in 5 students experience a mental health disorder Source: CDC, 2018 3
Youth Mental Health by the Numbers CDC Data collected between the years 2005-2011 show: ◦ Children aged 3-17 years currently had: ◦ ADHD (6.8%) ◦ Behavioral or conduct problems (3.5%) ◦ Anxiety (3.0%) ◦ Depression (2.1%) ◦ Autism spectrum disorders (1.1%) ◦ Tourette syndrome (0.2%) (among children aged 6–17 years) ◦ Adolescents aged 12–17 years had: ◦ Illicit drug use disorder in the past year (4.7%) ◦ Alcohol use disorder in the past year (4.2%) ◦ Cigarette dependence in the past month (2.8%) Source: CDC, 2018 4
Why do we talk about mental health? Mentally healthy children are more successful in school and life. ◦ Research demonstrates that students who receive social–emotional and mental health support achieve better academically. ◦ School climate, classroom behavior, on-task learning, and students’ sense of connectedness and well-being all improve as well. ◦ Mental health includes social, emotional, and behavioral health and the ability to cope with life’s challenges. ◦ Left unmet, mental health problems are linked to negative concerns such as academic and behavior problems, dropping out, and delinquency. Source: NASP, 2016 5
STRESS 6
What is Stress? ◦ Definition of Stress: ◦ Any uncomfortable "emotional experience accompanied by predictable biochemical, physiological and behavioral changes." ◦ Some stress can be beneficial at times, producing a boost that provides the drive and energy to help people. ◦ However, an extreme amount of stress can have health consequences and adversely affect the immune, cardiovascular, neuroendocrine and central nervous systems. Source: http://www.apa.org/helpcenter/understanding-chronic-stress.aspx; Anderson, N.B. (1998).; Baum, A. (1990) 7
GOOD STRESS/ Bad Stress § Can make you feel energized and motivated § Encourages us to deal with challenges § Increases strength § Increases speed § Increases stamina 8
Good Stress/ BAD STRESS § Feeling Overwhelmed § Over/Under Sleeping § Over/Under Eating § Headaches § Stomachaches § Feeling Jittery § Impatience § Decreased Strength 9
Reasons Students May Feel Stress ü School Performance ü Family, community, national violence ü Peer Pressure ü Childhood abuse ü Family issues/expectations ü Dating abuse ü Death of a loved one/pet ü Injuries or severe physical illness ü Loss of a friend ü Appearance ü Move to a new home ü Finances ü Media ü Commercialism ü Bullying ü Mental Illness 10
Even MORE Reasons Students Feels Stress § Not understanding how grades are earned § Concerns and assumptions about what others think about them § Snapchat/Instagram/Twitter/etc. § Immediacy of cell phones § Girl/boy drama § Pressure for boys to handle problems physically § Hormonal changes/puberty/ZITS § Feeling the need to be high school ready in middle school… and college ready their freshman year 11
12 Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7pwKxVQon50
ANXIETY DISORDERS 13
What is a mental health disorder? ◦ Serious changes in the ways students typically learn, behave, or handle their emotions. ◦ Symptoms usually start in early childhood, although some concerns may start during the teenage years. However, some children with a mental disorder may not be recognized or diagnosed as having one. Concerns can be treated and managed. Source: CDC, 2018 14
What is Anxiety? ◦ Anxiety is one of the most common experiences of children and adults ◦ An adaptive reaction. Creates a level of arousal and alertness to danger ◦ Primary Characteristic: ◦ Worry ◦ Fear that future events will have negative outcomes ◦ Anxiety can be a normal reaction to stressful situations Source: https://www.nasponline.org/resources-and-publications/resources/mental- health/mental-health-disorders/anxiety-and-anxiety-disorders-in-children-information-for-parents 15
What is Anxiety? ◦ Infancy and Preschool ◦ First appears at 7-8 months of age as stranger anxiety ◦ Age 12-15 months: Separation Anxiety ◦ Associated with fears of: strangers, dark, new situations, animals, loud noises, etc. ◦ School Age ◦ As the child gets older, anxiety is associated with social and abstract concepts: ◦ Social Acceptance ◦ The Future ◦ Moves to a New School ◦ Etc. In most cases, students cope well with this situations. Severe or Chronic Anxiety is not common. Source: https://www.nasponline.org/resources-and-publications/resources/mental-health/mental-health-disorders/anxiety-and- anxiety-disorders-in-children-information-for-parents 16
Anxiety Disorders ◦ Separation Anxiety Disorder ◦ Persistent or Extreme fears about leaving familiar people. ◦ Refusal to leave home, attend school ◦ Generalized Anxiety Disorder ◦ Pervasive and high levels of anxiety across a variety of situations ◦ Most common childhood anxiety disorder ◦ Concerned about doing things well; Perfectionistic ◦ Worries frequently about relatively minor things ◦ Appear stressed much of the time Source: https://www.nasponline.org/resources-and-publications/resources/mental- health/mental-health-disorders/anxiety-and-anxiety-disorders-in-children-information-for-parents 17
Anxiety Disorders ◦ Social Phobia ◦ Excessive fear about being in social situations and being evaluated by others ◦ Fear of social situations is out of proportion to the actual situations ◦ Typical age of onset is in adolescence or early adulthood ◦ Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) *** ◦ Distress as a result of a traumatic situation. ◦ Common types of trauma: exposure to violence, auto accidents, home fires and injuries, natural disasters, adverse childhood experiences Source: https://www.nasponline.org/resources-and-publications/resources/mental-health/mental-health- disorders/anxiety-and-anxiety-disorders-in-children-information-for-parents 18
Effects on School and Social Performance ◦ Struggle with various demands of school ◦ Inattention ◦ Perfectionistic ◦ Forgetful or unwilling to participate due to concerns about failure or embarrassment ◦ Avoids difficult tasks ◦ Does not volunteer or participate in classroom activities ◦ Withdrawal from others or situations ◦ Perceived as unmotivated, lazy, uninterested in school Source: https://www.nasponline.org/resources-and-publications/resources/mental-health/mental-health- disorders/anxiety-and-anxiety-disorders-in-children-information-for-parents 19
20 Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FAvrNLsgl4c
PROVIDING SUPPORT 21
How can students address concerns? ◦ Talk with a trusted adult ◦ At home, in school, with community groups ◦ Build Up Resiliency 22
Positive Interventions for Home & School • Have predictable routines • Set clear and reasonable expectations • Break down tasks into manageable units (e.g. homework, chores, classwork, etc.) • Pair anxious students with peers who are confident and supportive • Give the student special responsibilities to help build confidence • Give time to relax when anxiety becomes high. • Provide breaks • Reduce or avoid unexpected situations Source: https://www.nasponline.org/resources-and-publications/resources/mental-health/mental-health- disorders/anxiety-and-anxiety-disorders-in-children-information-for-parents 23
Positive Interventions for Home & School • Reduce time constraints, if possible • Have the student work in a quiet setting with fewer distractions • Be consistent with how you handle problems and administer discipline • Be patient and be prepared to listen • Avoid being overly critical, disparaging, impatient, or cynical • Maintain realistic, attainable goals and expectations for your child • Do not communicate that perfection is expected or acceptable • Encourage participation in ”fun” and stress-free activities Source: https://www.nasponline.org/resources-and-publications/resources/mental-health/mental-health- disorders/anxiety-and-anxiety-disorders-in-children-information-for-parents 24
Positive Interventions for Home & School • Accept that mistakes are a normal part of growing up. No one is expected to do everything well. • Everyone has strengths and weaknesses • Praise and reinforce effort, even if success is less than expected. • Teach students how to practice and rehearse upcoming events like giving a speech or other performances • Teach the student simple strategies to help with anxiety • Organizing materials and time • Learning how to relax under stressful conditions (e.g. mindfulness) Source: https://www.nasponline.org/resources-and-publications/resources/mental-health/mental-health- disorders/anxiety-and-anxiety-disorders-in-children-information-for-parents 25
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