Students heading back to school often feel a mix of excitement and nerves. For some, that anticipation can turn to ongoing worry about the unknown.
As part of our School Smarts for Fresh Starts series, Dr. Andrew Butchart, DO, psychiatrist and medical director for OCD and Anxiety residential care for adolescents, shares what anticipatory anxiety can look like in students and when to seek additional support.
What is anticipatory anxiety and how common is it?
Anticipatory anxiety is feeling worried or uneasy about an event or situation that hasn’t happened yet. It’s very common. Most people can relate to feeling anxious and uncertain about how things in the future will turn out.
What can anticipatory anxiety look like in students?
A child could express concerns about how they’ll connect socially in a new group of people, whether they’ll feel supported by their teacher, or if they can stay resilient enough to succeed academically. They may also struggle to pay attention or focus as a result of ongoing worry.
People can experience physical symptoms, such as:
- Headaches
- Stomachaches
- Muscle tension
- Shortness of breath
- Increased heart rate
What are strategies for parents to help their students who may be experiencing anticipatory anxiety?
Four strategies I recommend are:
- Check in. Ask a child to share what they’re thinking or feeling, especially if you notice a change in behavior or find that they’re avoiding situations.
- Validate. I think it’s important to help a child recognize that we all get a little anxious before a new or big event. There’s also such a thing as good stress, which is the idea of wanting to be amped up to give a presentation or play in a game so we’re performing at our best.
- Point out evidence of past successes. For example, a parent might ask a child entering 3rd grade how it’s similar to starting 2nd grade and having a new teacher. Help them think through how they were able to manage that change.
- Reassure. Provide encouragement that the child can navigate whatever they’re anxious about. It can get tricky if a child is repeatedly asking a question and a parent is providing the same answer. In that case, I would gently say you’ve answered their question and not give in to their anxiety.
What are signs a person with anticipatory anxiety might need extra support?
If a parent is seeing anticipatory anxiety on the first or second day of a new school year for example, that is pretty typical. I would be concerned if there is a pattern.
Signs to watch for include:
- Ruminating
- Seeking constant reassurance
- Asking to avoid school or a particular event
- Seeming distracted or consumed by worry to the point that they can’t enjoy activities they normally like, such as starting a new school year or engaging in hobbies or sports
How does treatment help with anticipatory anxiety?
Mental health clinicians help normalize anticipatory anxiety and teach skills to manage it. Oftentimes, people get stuck in thinking about the worst-case scenarios, such as a student fearing they won’t make friends or won’t get along with their teachers.
We encourage a more balanced view by also exploring “best-case scenarios,” like imagining this could be the best school year yet, making new friends, or having a favorite teacher.
Even if something is really challenging, it’s important to remember that it won’t last forever, and it’s always a good idea to talk to a parent or trusted adult for help making the adjustment.
Rogers offers anxiety treatment
Anxiety doesn’t have to dictate your life or the life of someone you love. With the right treatment tailored to your specific needs and goals, you can learn to manage your symptoms and build the skills to face life’s challenges with confidence.
For a free, confidential screening call 833-308-5887.
Part of our back-to-school series, School Smarts for Fresh Starts
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