Written by Lisha Veerakumar
As part of an initiative to address academic anxiety, Success Over Scores is a mental health promotion project created for HOSA, led by Lisha Veerakumar, Scarlett Mendez, Theertha Gopireddy and EmmaJane Schmidt. This project focuses on reducing academic stress and anxiety through a social media campaign and events held at Chaska High School.
By promoting strategies for managing academic pressures, Success Over Scores provides students with tips to reduce anxiety and foster a healthier balance between school and mental well-being. The project aims to raise awareness and encourage students to prioritize their mental health in an academic environment.
Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) is a mental health condition characterized by excessive and persistent worry about various aspects of daily life, such as school, relationships or health. This worry often occurs without a specific or immediate cause and is challenging to control, leading to physical symptoms like fatigue, irritability, muscle tension and sleep disturbances, according to the American Psychiatric Association. GAD can significantly impair an individual’s functioning and quality of life.
Impact on Children and Adolescents
Children and adolescents with GAD experience pervasive worry that often revolves around academic performance, social acceptance or family issues. Unlike adults, they may struggle to articulate the source of their anxiety, which can manifest as physical complaints like headaches, stomachaches or behavioral changes—such as avoidance of school or social interactions. This developmental stage is critical for emotional and social growth, making untreated anxiety particularly detrimental.
Studies show that GAD in youth often co-occurs with other disorders, such as depression or other anxiety disorders, further complicating their emotional and social development. Furthermore, untreated anxiety in childhood is a strong predictor of mental health challenges in adulthood.
Prevalence of Generalized Anxiety Disorder
GAD is one of the most common mental health disorders among children and adolescents. According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), approximately 7 percent of children aged three to 17 years have been diagnosed with anxiety disorders, with GAD accounting for a significant proportion of cases.
Research indicates that anxiety disorders are more prevalent in girls compared to boys and the prevalence of anxiety disorders, increases during adolescence, often due to heightened academic pressures and social challenges.
The Role of Schools in Generalized Anxiety Disorder
Schools play a significant role in both exacerbating and mitigating GAD in children and adolescents. Academic demands, social expectations and standardized testing often act as stressors, contributing to heightened anxiety levels while bullying, peer rejection and lack of supportive teacher-student relationships can exacerbate feelings of isolation and worry.
Conversely, schools can be pivotal in early identification and intervention. Educators and school counselors trained to recognize signs of anxiety can provide timely referrals to mental health services. Implementing school-based mental health programs has proven effective in reducing anxiety symptoms.
Self-Interventions for Managing Generalized Anxiety Disorder
While professional interventions such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) are effective for treating GAD, students can adopt several self-help strategies to manage their symptoms:
Mindfulness and Relaxation Techniques: Mindfulness exercises, such as deep breathing and progressive muscle relaxation, can reduce physiological symptoms of anxiety. Studies have shown that mindfulness-based interventions significantly decrease anxiety in adolescents.
Regular Physical Activity: Exercise has been found to reduce symptoms of anxiety by promoting the release of endorphins and improving sleep patterns. Even short, daily activities like walking or yoga can make a difference.
Time Management Skills: Developing organizational skills and setting realistic goals can alleviate the academic stress that often contributes to GAD.
Journaling: Writing about worries can help students process their emotions and reduce the intensity of their anxiety. Journaling has been linked to improved mental health outcomes in young people.
Seeking Peer Support: Talking to friends or joining support groups can help adolescents feel understood and less isolated.
Limiting Screen Time: Excessive use of social media has been linked to increased anxiety and feelings of inadequacy. Setting boundaries around screen time can improve mental well-being.
Generalized Anxiety Disorder is a prevalent and potentially debilitating condition among children and adolescents. Schools play a dual role in influencing anxiety levels—both as stressors or as support systems for early intervention. While professional treatment is crucial for severe cases, students can employ various self-help strategies to manage their symptoms effectively. Increased awareness and integration of mental health resources within schools can foster healthier, more supportive environments for young people.
