By Sandra Cuevas
Anxiety is one of the few most common mental health disorders that challenge humans everyday. But it is also one that is not easy to identify. Even though anxiety is tough to distinguish, students struggling with it at school is something teachers and administrators need to address and see the importance of helping those that do struggle with it.
Dealing with anxiety in school is something Angel, a student at Yerba Buena High School, is struggling with. Because teachers are not giving his academic performance enough attention, he is failing several classes and stressed with the pressure that is put on students. His teachers notice that he needs extra help with his coursework, but they ignore it and assume he is one of those students who doesn’t care about graduating. In reality, Angel is a student whose anxiety causes him to fear asking for that help.
A sporadic attendance, difficulty focusing, and trouble answering questions are all responses of Angel’s anxiety. He gets so anxious or worried with the amount of stress that is forced upon him, which interrupts with his daily functioning. He finds it more difficult concentrating and getting things done. Angel says, “It’s too pressuring so I just don’t do my work. I end up ditching so I don’t have to deal with the pressure.”
When I had asked Angel if he thinks maybe it’s not his teacher’s fault for his low grades, his response was, “I mean it’s partly my fault for not putting in so much effort, but I think it’s also their fault for not giving me enough attention, which leads to me feeling overwhelmed and ditching.”
Anxiety can manifest into larger health problems such as depression, anxiety attacks, and heart disease. Depression is a mental health disorder that Angel inherited from his anxiety. ”My depression came slowly and then all at once and then it was just there.”
Dealing with anxiety in school is something Angel, a student at Yerba Buena High School, is struggling with. Because teachers are not giving his academic performance enough attention, he is failing several classes and stressed with the pressure that is put on students. His teachers notice that he needs extra help with his coursework, but they ignore it and assume he is one of those students who doesn’t care about graduating. In reality, Angel is a student whose anxiety causes him to fear asking for that help.
A sporadic attendance, difficulty focusing, and trouble answering questions are all responses of Angel’s anxiety. He gets so anxious or worried with the amount of stress that is forced upon him, which interrupts with his daily functioning. He finds it more difficult concentrating and getting things done. Angel says, “It’s too pressuring so I just don’t do my work. I end up ditching so I don’t have to deal with the pressure.”
When I had asked Angel if he thinks maybe it’s not his teacher’s fault for his low grades, his response was, “I mean it’s partly my fault for not putting in so much effort, but I think it’s also their fault for not giving me enough attention, which leads to me feeling overwhelmed and ditching.”
Anxiety can manifest into larger health problems such as depression, anxiety attacks, and heart disease. Depression is a mental health disorder that Angel inherited from his anxiety. ”My depression came slowly and then all at once and then it was just there.”
Some adults don’t fully understand how truly difficult it can be for students to live with anxiety. According to school counselor.org, today, preschools are beginning to introduce pressure and high expectations for the small children. Schools are pushing for success and believe it’s a part of school’s culture. Even though it may be able to push the students forward, their mental health has the high possibility of being harmed.
Some responses from anxiety include the inability to cope with stress or certain situations. It may often be seen in a person as rapid breathing and heart rate, sweating, muscle tension, or dry mouth. As stated in Healthline, anxiety can cause emotional reactions, such as a feeling of uneasiness or the fear of losing control.
Research by Child Mind Institute revealed this is something that happens in 13 of every 100 children and adolescents. Teachers could help students by not putting too much pressure on them or making them feel as though they are doomed to fail; they should consider that students have more than one class to put energy into, have an open-communication classroom, and help students find motivation.
Some responses from anxiety include the inability to cope with stress or certain situations. It may often be seen in a person as rapid breathing and heart rate, sweating, muscle tension, or dry mouth. As stated in Healthline, anxiety can cause emotional reactions, such as a feeling of uneasiness or the fear of losing control.
Research by Child Mind Institute revealed this is something that happens in 13 of every 100 children and adolescents. Teachers could help students by not putting too much pressure on them or making them feel as though they are doomed to fail; they should consider that students have more than one class to put energy into, have an open-communication classroom, and help students find motivation.