It’s that time of year again, kids and teachers are back to school. It’s not uncommon for children, teens, and young adults to groan and roll their eyes as they get back in the swing of getting up early, doing homework, and having late-night study sessions. Not to mention dealing with new teachers, new classmates, and new experiences. For some students, a new school year can be very exciting. For others not so much, as these new situations can bring about anxiousness and uncertainty.
At Rice Psychology Group, our Tampa psychologists want to help you and your children understand and deal with any issues or emotions that may arise as the new school year begins.
Identifying the Anxiety
As the school year starts, your child may begin to experience the signs of common anxiety. This can include trouble sleeping, refusing to go to school, being quieter than normal or constantly questioning the upcoming school year. Your loved ones can continue experiencing anxiety throughout the school year, but it generally wears off with time.
In some cases, children, adolescents and young adults can experience persistent anxiety that can potentially get in the way of their success. These individuals could be experiencing an anxiety disorder that causes them to:
- Suffer frequent headaches
- Experience stomachaches
- Experience nightmares
- Avoid situations that provoke anxiety
- Refuse to attend school
At Rice Psychology Group, we understand that you’ll do everything to put an end to your loved one’s anxiety and we’re prepared to do the same.
Ways to Reduce Anxiety
There are effective ways to reduce the back-to-school blues your child or adolescent may be going through. You can:
- Communicate – By encouraging your children to share their worries and fears about the school year, they’ll understand that they can count on you to help with their burden. Ask them what they liked about their previous school year and incorporate it to what the future can hold.
- Identify the Good – Help your school-goers realize that the new school year will let them see their old friends, participate in their favorite after school activities or join a sports team. This is an effective way of bringing some excitement into the future.
- Empathize – It’s important to tell your kids that you’re aware of what they’re going through and will be there if they need your help. You should additionally encourage them to face their fears instead of teaching them to avoid their obstacles.
- Keep Your Cool – It can be easy to let your child’s anxiety get the best of you, but it’s important to remain calm. Remember, if you appear worried, your kids will become even more stressed.
Our Tampa Psychologists Can Help
Chances are that you remember experienced an overwhelming new school year once. Rice Psychology Group is ready to help you and your loved ones understand these emotions. Our team of licensed psychologists provide a relaxed environment, designed to help you feel at ease and are here to help you work through the issues that you might be experiencing. If you’re ready to speak with us, or if you require additional information about our services, don’t hesitate to contact us in Tampa to schedule your FREE 10-minute consultation.
