How do we recognize anxiety in the classroom?
Anxiety traits differ depending on the age group you're dealing with, and also differ depending on the type of anxiety that students may have. Here are some tips to help you recognize student anxiety and a list of factors you may notice in your students behaviour. Early intervention is the key to making this mental disorder manageable so early diagnosis is the key to making your students successful in being able to cope with their anxiety. Children as young as three have been diagnosed, starting often by eliciting Separation Anxiety Disorder (SAD), which is a good predictor of adult anxiety disorders. Still, many students remain un-diagnosed and suffer without aid through the majority of their lives. It's important to document these different indicators of anxiety, but remember, these traits must be present for at least six months before any diagnosis can be given!
Who are the students at risk of having anxiety?
Anxiety is one of the most common psychiatric disorders in childhood, and can be seen in any type of student; roughly 10% of students in your class will be at the mild end of the anxiety continuum, where only 2% are more extreme, with severe interference with functioning. When a student has severe anxiety, they often have another type of learning disorder as well, so it would be wise to keep an eye on your students who have already been coded.
One group of students that anxiety is common among is Second Language Learners. They often feel anxiety when having to perform the second language, and become overly anxious about their performance. This deteriorates their motivation to perform in ways that bring attention to themselves in the classroom or in natural language-use settings. Language anxiety is associated with difficulties in listening comprehension, vocabulary acquisition and word production and with generally lower achievement in second language learning (Horwitz, Horwitz and Cope 1986; MacIntyre and Gardner 1991).
Who are the students at risk of having anxiety?
Anxiety is one of the most common psychiatric disorders in childhood, and can be seen in any type of student; roughly 10% of students in your class will be at the mild end of the anxiety continuum, where only 2% are more extreme, with severe interference with functioning. When a student has severe anxiety, they often have another type of learning disorder as well, so it would be wise to keep an eye on your students who have already been coded.
One group of students that anxiety is common among is Second Language Learners. They often feel anxiety when having to perform the second language, and become overly anxious about their performance. This deteriorates their motivation to perform in ways that bring attention to themselves in the classroom or in natural language-use settings. Language anxiety is associated with difficulties in listening comprehension, vocabulary acquisition and word production and with generally lower achievement in second language learning (Horwitz, Horwitz and Cope 1986; MacIntyre and Gardner 1991).
Physical Symptoms
Along with altered behaviour, students may elicit some physical symptoms during anxiety attacks such as:
Social and School Related Anxiety
Pre-school and Elementary Students
Show reluctance to:
May also have difficulties with:
Junior and Senior High Students
As well as the above symptoms, students also are prone to:
Along with altered behaviour, students may elicit some physical symptoms during anxiety attacks such as:
- Sweating
- Palpitations
- Stomach aches
- Feelings of stress
- Crying
Social and School Related Anxiety
Pre-school and Elementary Students
Show reluctance to:
- Read aloud or answer questions
- Work in groups
- Participate in group discussions
- Write on the blackboard
- Perform in musical or physical activities
May also have difficulties with:
- Handing in work, due to a fear that it is not good enough
- Accepting criticism
- Concentrating
- Sleeping (often tired in class)
- Regulating emotions (easily irritated, frustrated)
Junior and Senior High Students
As well as the above symptoms, students also are prone to:
- Skipping school
- Taking up substance abuse (drugs or alcohol)
- Fear of public speaking
- Difficulty in maintaining relationships or employment
- Fears of using public restrooms