Anxiety Disorder
WHAT IS ANXIETY DISORDER?
What is important to know is that anxiety is completely normal.
Anxiety is what drives all of us and we all experience anxiety at times. However, sometimes anxiety can interfere with everyday life and affect behaviour and thoughts every single day. An anxiety disorder can result in constant worrying, having negative thoughts and struggling to concentrate. Separation anxiety is common in younger children and social anxiety more common in older CYP and adults. We do not know what causes anxiety but CYP can pick up anxious behaviours from being around anxious people; some develop an anxiety disorder from experiencing a stressful event and some CYP are just more anxious than others
SYMPTOMS OF ANXIETY DISORDER
A CYP with an anxiety disorder may experience:
Trouble with sleep and/ or waking with bad dreams
Difficulty concentrating
A loss of appetite
Being quick to get angry
Constant worry
Feeling constantly tense
Crying
Increased use of the toilet
Feeling unwell, particularly with stomach aches
HOW IS ANXIETY DISORDER DIAGNOSED?
If anxiety is not getting better, or is getting worse after self-help and if it is affecting school, social or family life it may be time to seek professional advice. Speak to the GP or to the SENCo at school and they can advise further. A referral to CAMHS may be appropriate. Only a medical professional such a psychiatrist can diagnose an anxiety disorder; school or parents CANNOT diagnose.
WHAT HAPPENS AFTER DIAGNOSIS?
There are many strategies that can be used to manage anxiety including self-help (such as meditation); counselling, Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) and, in some extreme cases, medication. Medication should only be prescribed by a medical professional who specialises in CYP mental health and holds an appropriate qualification for prescribing.
HOW CAN I FIND OUT MORE ABOUT ANXIETY DISORDER?
Please see here and here for further information.
HOW CAN I HELP IN SCHOOL?
Please see below for ideas on how to help.
Headaches / feeling sick / other physiological symptoms
Teach The Incredible Fie Point Scale and include how the CYP feels physiologically at each stage
Reassure, encourage to look at the I5PS and use de-escalation strategies
Encourage to drink water
Distract then refocus on the task
If the CYP reports heart racing, this can be a normal physiological response but it can also be much more serious. Always take this seriously and monitor the CYP and symptoms closely taking any necessary medical action swiftly
Nervousness / Fear
Explain the workings of the brain and how this affects the fear response
Encourage CYP to confront their fears
Provide adult support if needed
Use techniques such as 'plan for the worst'
Shyness
Encourage CYP to have classroom responsibilities
Pair CYP for activities to avoid being excluded from groups
Foster friendships with others - start with friendly but quiet CYP (outgoing CYP can be overwhelming)
Do not use shyness as a negative trait
Changes in routine
Give the CYP plenty of warning about any forthcoming, planned change
Teach strategies to cope with unexpected change
Ensure that any adult support is kept informed of any change, so that they can remind
Be as predictable and consistent as you can
Extreme anxiety
Have a time out strategy
Use backward chaining
Consider referral to outside agencies