As you can see, emotions like anxiety are normal and arguably healthy. The issue is when we have too much anxiety. While most of us no longer need those survival instincts daily, they are still a part of us centuries later. Back to school anxiety has always been around, and we are sure everyone has experienced it. It is a common problem in children and can manifest in many ways. To gather a basic understanding of this form of anxiousness, check out our guide below.
Remember that Kids are Surrounded by Stressors
Child and adolescent psychiatry tells us that stressors run the gamut from small children to older children. Stressors can include kids worrying about being separated from their parents to older children who may be concerned about academic expectations. Stressors include peer pressure, bullying, crowds, loud lunchrooms, and public speaking. And, of course, children are always expected to cope and adapt.
Add the aforementioned stressors to the social media expectations from peers and stressors experienced at home. Parents, too, are not immune to anxiety and stress, and many experience work and food insecurity hardships. We expect a lot from our children, and they already have a lot going on, and these expectations can often come across in harmful ways.
Back to School Anxiety Symptoms in Children
You may think your child is not anxious, or perhaps that they are not that anxious. To be sure, some common signs of anxiety in kids include:
Irritability. This is the “fight” response. Our brain wants to protect us from what is giving us anxiety by acting out, rebelling, yelling, and lashing out. Overall, it is an attempt to look “tougher.”
Excessive worrying. This can be seen in a few ways. Some kids will continue to ask the same question despite already knowing the answer. Others may be more “clingy” than usual or seek more reassurance from their family or peers.
Physical complaints. The mind is a fantastic thing. It can cause real physical symptoms in response to emotional stress. Think butterflies in your stomach when a crush talks to us, headaches when stressed, or even cringing when we see someone else have an accident. Similarly, anxiety can cause stomach aches, headaches, or even feeling excessive tiredness in the absence of an actual physical illness.
Sleep pattern changes. This one is self-explanatory. Any change in sleep pattern can be a sign of anxiety.
Avoidance of school-related activities. This is the “flight” response discussed earlier. Our brain is trying to get our body away from danger, aka the cause of anxiety. Your child will avoid teacher meet-n-greets, school tours, school work/homework, and even school itself!
