AnxietyA response to stress

James River Special Education Unit

Anxiety Anxiety is a response to

stress. It is an emotion that

everyone experiences. It is normal and necessary. Anxiety motivates us to

confront or avoid a threat.

Anxiety vs. Fear Fear is focused on specific

objects or situations. Fear dissipates when the object or situation is not present.

Anxiety is all the anticipation of future occurrences.

Anxiety vs. Stress

Stress comes from outside forces.

Stress is all the external and/or internal forces that act upon us.

The degree to which the anxiety is in proportion to the reality of the stress determines if it is helpful or harmful.

Helpful or Harmful?

Helpful anxiety …

spurs us to action

heightens our senses

helps us solve problems

lets us try new things

leads to success

Harmful anxiety …

leads us to escape

causes us to freeze

lets problems overwhelm us

prevents us from doing routine things

leads to failure

Symptoms of Anxiety Sweaty palms Rapid pulse Feeling of

faintness Stomach

discomfort Shortness of

breath Hot or cold

flashes Feeling

hopeless Thought

blockage

Headache Chest pain Nausea Over- or under-

eating Sleep problems Mood swings Diarrhea Racing thoughts

What can we do

to help an anxious student?

What can we do in school?

TALK with the student.Try to make him comfortable.

Getting to know the student will develop trust and make it more likely that they will seek your assistance in anxiety-producing situations.

What can we do in school?

LISTEN to the studentBy listening, you may pick up on

what she is thinking. This will help you neutralize stressful situations; and at the same time, you will let her know you care. Good listening involves paying attention, eye contact, asking relevant questions and avoiding interruptions.

What can we do in school?

WATCH how anxiety affects performance

You may notice a pattern. The student may know the answers in casual conversation but fail the test. Knowing what situations produce debilitating anxiety will help you make adjustments to help the student.

What can we do in school?

RECOGNIZE that the emotionalneeds must be a priority.

This is a hard concept—as teachers, we are tuned into academics and may over-emphasize academic success. However, to improve the academic success of an anxious student, we must first reduce the emotional conflicts that interfere with his/her ability to succeed.

What can we do in school?

ENCOURAGE ANXIETY-REDUCING STRATEGIES: Remind the student of past

successes; Encourage the student to ask for

help; Offer tests one page at a time; Model study strategies; Talk through problem solving

strategies.

What can we do in school?

REDUCE ACADEMIC STRESS:

Yes, academics cause stress. For an anxious student, when the stress is too much to bear, he will shut down instead of dealing with it. “Working harder” is not an option—they are already working hard at keeping it together and handling stress.

Ways to Reduce Academic Stress

Don’t put the student on the spot;

Call on her when she is likely to know the answer.

Help the student prepare for changes in routine by letting him know what to expect ahead of time or by posting a schedule on the board.

Ways to Reduce Academic Stress

Modify tests (use word banks, use

matching or T/F format, etc.). This will reduce test anxiety and thought blockage.

Highlight important information or give copies of notes. Anxious students often focus on details that are not important or attempt to remember every detail, which increases anxiety.

Anxiety is one disabling condition that has a good chance of being overcome by teaching the student strategies and by making modifications.

WE WANT YOU…TO HELP!