So anxious every day, so afraid, because of yesterday, for tomorrow. And today then. I have to deal with it, fight with yesterday, so that tomorrow I can be less anxious. But I’m so scared.
What are anxiety disorders?
The line between normal anxiety and an anxiety disorder is difficult to draw. Being afraid of snakes is sensible, but when someone freezes at the sight of a snake on television, this is abnormal fear. Characteristic of an anxiety disorder is that the fear is excessive and clearly unrealistic, while the person suffers from it so much that it seriously hinders daily life. Anxiety disorders are caused by a combination of biological, social and psychological factors. They are more common in certain families than in others. Heredity plays a role in this, but so does upbringing. An anxiety disorder often begins after a major life event, such as a serious illness, a death, moving or dismissal. A person’s personal characteristics also influence whether or not they develop an anxiety disorder. Such qualities include: not being able to stand up for yourself, fear of failure, difficulty expressing feelings and a tendency to avoid problem situations and conflicts.
Types of anxiety disorders
Generalized anxiety disorder
There is frequent worrying and anxious thinking; the adaptability is good and there is a perfectionist attitude.
Separation anxiety disorder
There is an excessive fear of being separated from people to whom one is strongly attached.
School phobia
There is extremely strong resistance to going to school; This form is often an expression of an anxiety disorder such as separation anxiety or social anxiety.
Panic attack and panic disorder
One is completely unexpectedly struck by a deep fear and within 10 minutes physical complaints occur, such as hard palpitations, sweating and dizziness. These symptoms occur regularly in panic disorder.
Social anxiety disorder (phobia)
There is an enormous fear of situations in which the student has to function socially or perform in relation to adults and peers. There is often avoidance behavior; Social phobia usually begins in adolescence.
Specific phobia
There is excessive fear that occurs when confronted with (the thought of) a certain object (e.g. a spider) or a certain situation (e.g. an elevator); the fear leads to avoidance behavior.
Obsessive-compulsive disorder or compulsive disorder
There are compulsions and thoughts that hinder normal functioning; this includes frequent hand washing, excessive ordering and compulsive counting. An obsessive thought evokes fear that you can regulate with a compulsive act.
Posttraumatic stress disorder
A traumatic experience is responded to with intense fear, horror, or chaotic and agitated behavior; there is re-experiencing, for example in a dream.
Characteristics
- The fear is excessive.
- Frightening situations are avoided.
- Compulsive actions are performed to avoid feeling the fear.
Many forms of anxiety can be traced back to the fear of death or pain. Excessive or ‘unreal’ fear is associated with:
- Fearful forebodings, a feeling of concern.
- Nervousness, tension, physical symptoms such as palpitations, dizziness and sweating.
- In extreme cases, fear of death, going crazy or losing control, can dominate a person’s thoughts.
Intercourse
- Acknowledge the student’s tremendous fear, even if it seems exaggerated or unreal. Don’t try to talk away the feelings of anxiety. Provide a lot of positive reinforcement and allow the student to gain success experiences.
- Continue to encourage the student to do things themselves and to face fearful situations, but do not force them. Speak in a calm tone and give short, clear instructions in combination with achievable assignments. Based on the student’s strengths.
- Always make a distinction between the person and the behavior in the approach.
- If necessary, give the student an adapted program, with extra attention to activities in which the student is good.
- In situations that the student experiences as anxious, try to offer distracting activities; These make you (temporarily) forget the fear and can bring relaxation.
- Encourage the student and parents to seek professional help or support.