Anxiety A response to stress Dickey LaMoure Special Education Unit

Anxiety Anxiety is an emotion that everyone experiences. Anxiety is an emotion that everyone experiences. It is normal and necessary. It is normal and necessary. Anxiety motivates us to confront or avoid a threat. Anxiety motivates us to confront or avoid a threat. It is a response to stress. It is a response to stress.

Anxiety vs. Fear Fear is focused on specific objects or situations. Fear dissipates when the object or situation is not present. 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 is all the anticipation of future occurrences.

Anxiety vs. Stress Stress comes from outside forces. Stress comes from outside forces. It is all the external and/or internal forces that act upon us. It 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. 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 spurs us to action heightens our senses heightens our senses helps us solve problems helps us solve problems lets us try new things lets us try new things leads to success 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 Sweaty palms Rapid pulse Rapid pulse Feeling of faintness Feeling of faintness Stomach discomfort Stomach discomfort Shortness of breath Shortness of breath Hot or cold flashes Hot or cold flashes Feeling hopeless Feeling hopeless Thought blockage 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. 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 student LISTEN to the student By 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 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 emotional needs must be a priority. RECOGNIZE that the emotional needs 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: ENCOURAGE ANXIETY -REDUCING STRATEGIES: Remind the student of past successes; Remind the student of past successes; Encourage the student to ask for help; Encourage the student to ask for help; Offer tests one page at a time; Offer tests one page at a time; Model study strategies; Model study strategies; Talk through problem solving strategies. Talk through problem solving strategies.

What can we do in school? REDUCE ACADEMIC STRESS: 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; Don’t put the student on the spot; Call on her when she is likely to know the answer. 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. 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. 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. 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!