ANXIETY ANXIETY DISORDERS Overview Occasional anxiety is a

ANXIETY

ANXIETY DISORDERS • Overview: • -Occasional anxiety is a normal part of life (i. e. test taking, new job, etc. . . ). • • -Anxiety disorders involve more than temporary worry or fear and include • -Generalized Anxiety Disorder • -Panic Disorder • -Social Anxiety

GENERALIZED ANXIETY • Display excessive anxiety or worry for months. • Face symptoms of: Restlessness, being on edge, easily fatigued, difficulty concentrating, irritability, muscle tension, difficult controlling worry, sleep problems.

PANIC DISORDER • Reoccurring periods of panic attacks with sudden periods of intense fear. • Symptoms include: pounding heart, accelerated heart rate, trembling, sweating, shortness of breath, smothering or choking, feeling of impending doom.

SOCIAL ANXIETY DISORDER • Feeling highly anxious about being with other people, or having a hard time talking to them. • Symptoms include: feeling self-conscious, worried about feeling embarrassed, worrying about offending others, fear of being judged, having a hard time making/keeping friends, blushing/sweating/or trembling around others, feeling nauseous or sick when people around.

STRATEGIES IN THE CLASSROOM • https: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=jf 404_H 0 r 8 Q#action=share • Please watch the above link. stood out to you. While watching, note three things that

WHAT CAN YOU DO? • Create a safe place for the child to go when anxiety symptoms are high (i. e. nurses office, preferred setting). • Establish rules for using breaks or calming activities (i. e. time limits, location, communication). • Allow time for difficult transition activities (start of school, end of day, lunch, between classes). • Ask the student for ideas of helpful strategies. • Be aware of activities that distract the child from their anxiety (coloring, reading, music). • Teach the child relaxation techniques.

WHAT CAN YOU DO? • Reward effort when they are able to control their anxiety symptoms. • Follow classroom accommodations: provide a warning prior to calling on a student, or prior to group work, extended time, shortened assignments, offer choices.

6 THINGS YOU SHOULDN’T SAY TO SOMEONE WITH ANXIETY • 1. “Don’t sweat the small stuff. ” • 2. “Calm down. ” • 3. “Just do it. ” • 4. “Everything is going to be fine. ” • 5. “I’m stressed out too. ” • 6. “Did I do something wrong? ”