1. Mount Saint Mary College Center for Adolescent Research and Development November 18 th, 2014 Dealing with Students’ Anxiety Disorders Presented By: Andrew O’Grady, LCSW-R CEO Mental Health America of Dutchess County Private Practice

2. Brenda Bryant, PhD. University of California, Davis “Stress itself is not a bad thing, you are not truly alive without stress. Being challenged makes you learn new things and keeps your brain functioning. However, when the stress increases to a level when it interferes with development it can immobilize a child”.

3. ANXIETY IS THE #1 FACTOR IN ACADEMIC DISRUPTION RECENT STUDY INDICATED ONLY 48% OF FRESHMAN SAY THAT THEIR EMOTIONAL HEALTH IS ABOVE AVERAGE IN 1985 THIS NUMBER WAS 65% MANY MORE FEMALES THAN MALES

4. THE BIGGER PROBLEM 1 IN 5 KIDS CONSIDERED DROPPING OUT OF SCHOOL BECAUSE OF ANXIETY

5. BRIDGING THE GAP INFORMING PARENTS & VISA VERSA Is there good communication? SCHOOL OBSERVATION & FAMILY OBSERVATION COMMUNICATION IS VITAL

6. How to Recognize Anxiety at School Isolation Crying Sweating Trembling Request to go to Nurse Avoidance What Else???????

7. INCREASED STRESS CAPACITY FOR LEARNING IS GREATLY REDUCED REPETITIVE THOUGHT PATTERNS  FIGHT OR FLIGHT RESPONSE  HEALTHY HABITS TAKE BACKSEAT EATINGSLEEPINGRELATIONSHIPS

8. HOW TO INTERVENE HELPFUL  ALLOWING THEM TO TALK  PROVIDE REASSURANCE  TALK SLOWLY AND REMAIN CALM  BE CLEAR AND DIRECTIVE  PROVIDE A SAFE AND QUIET ENVIRONMENT UNTIL SYMPTOMS SUBSIDE  INSTILL HOPE UNHELPFUL  MINIMIZING THE PERCEIVED THREAT  OVERWHELM THEM WITH INFORMATION OR IDEAS TO “FIX” THEIR CONDITION  BECOME ANXIOUS OR OVERWHELMED  HOSPITAL  BLAME

9. OPEN COMMUNICATION FLEXIBLE ASSIGNMENTS BUILD TIME MANAGEMENT INTO LESSON OFFER 5 MINUTE MEDITATION HELP STUDENT SEE THE BIG PICTURE KEEP THE CLASS ACTIVE AND MOVING LET THEM CHEW GUM DURING EXAM ORGANIZATION OF DESK AREA STAY IN TOUCH WITH PARENTS POSITIVE FEEDBACK REALISTIC INTERVENTIONS

10. WHEN TO RECOMMEND THERAPIST TO FAMILY DIAGNOSIS REQUIRING TREATMENT THAT MAY BE MINIMIZED AS “STRESS”  PATHOLOGICAL PERFECTIONISM  PANIC DISORDER  SOCIAL ANXIETY DISORDER  SEPARATION ANXIETY  PHOBIAS  OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder)  HEALTH ANXIETY  PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder)  GAD (Genral Anxiety Disorder)

11. Team Approach Communication Referral Plan Supported by Family Student SchoolM.D.Parent