Do these things well to help children get rid of school anxiety
It is normal for children to experience anxiety and depression during the beginning of school. Don't be overly nervous and worry about them suffering from anxiety or depression.
Most children have relatively mild back-to-school anxiety and depression, but those who are introverted or in adolescence, especially those in the 13-14 age group, are prone to severe anxiety.
◎Intern reporter Sun Yu
With the end of the winter vacation, primary and secondary school students start school one after another.
But Mr. Lin was a little worried about his children.
Xiaolin, who was in the third grade of junior high school this year, experienced negative emotions such as tension, anxiety, and irritability, and developed a strong aversion to "going back to school".
Mr. Lin had no choice but to seek the help of a psychologist to adjust and relieve Xiao Lin's negative emotions.
This phenomenon of Kobayashi was summarized in some media reports as "back-to-school depression", that is, thinking of complex interpersonal relationships and heavy school work after school starts, children have anxiety, fear, and depression, and there is a psychological shadow on returning to school.
At the beginning of the school season, some children have varying degrees of "back-to-school depression".
How to judge the seriousness of "back to school blues"?
How should parents respond?
Recently, in order to help children adapt to school life in a healthier, safer and smoother way, a reporter from Science and Technology Daily interviewed experts on related issues.
Adolescence more prone to 'back-to-school blues'
"'Back to school depression' or 'starting school anxiety' is a popular term for negative emotions such as anxiety and depression in children near the start of school time." Wang Yanling, deputy director of the psychological clinic of the China-Japan Friendship Hospital, said in a statement. In an interview with reporters, he said, "From a relatively relaxed state to a relatively tense state, children will more or less have certain anxiety and depression."
Wang Yanling told the reporter that it is normal for children to experience anxiety and depression during the beginning of school, so there is no need to be overly nervous and worry about them suffering from anxiety or depression.
"In psychology professional research, psychological counseling or clinical diagnosis, there are strict requirements for the diagnosis of anxiety and depression. For example, anxiety must last for more than half a year before it can be an anxiety disorder. At the same time, there is a clear distinction between anxiety and depression: Anxiety is mostly manifested as nervousness, irritability, insomnia, easy temper tantrum, headache or nausea, while depression is mainly manifested as low mood, manifested as low mood, bad mood, pessimism, and loss of motivation to do things. However, anxiety and depression The two often appear together." Wang Yanling introduced.
Based on years of observation and experience, Wang Yanling said that most children have relatively mild back-to-school anxiety and depression, but those who are more introverted or in adolescence, especially those in the 13-14 age group, are prone to severe anxiety.
This coincides with the feelings of Sun Meirong, a lecturer and master supervisor at the School of Psychology of Beijing Sport University.
In her opinion, the "back-to-school depression" of students in the lower grades of elementary school is not serious, but the "back-to-school depression" of students in the upper grades of elementary school and middle and high schools, especially those who are under pressure to enter a higher school, will appear more serious.
The "China National Mental Health Development Report (2019-2020)" released by the Institute of Psychology, Chinese Academy of Sciences shows that depression increases with grades, and the detection rate of depression in primary school is about 10%. The detection rate is about 1.9%-3.3%, the detection rate of depression in junior high school is about 30%, the detection rate of severe depression is 7.6%-8.6%, and the detection rate of depression in high school is close to 40%. The output rate is 10.9%-12.5%.
"Adolescent children are more prone to anxiety and depression, probably because they face greater academic pressure and more complicated interpersonal relationships." Ni Zhiyong, founder of Xuezhilang Adolescent Positive Psychology Training Center, said that the conflict between children and parents And conflicts, it is also easy to become the "fuse" of "back to school depression".
Here's What the Back-to-School Blues Are Like
What are the specific manifestations of "back-to-school depression", and how should parents judge its severity?
"If before and after the start of school, the child is depressed, upset, loses his temper easily, feels tired, memory loss, inability to concentrate, insomnia, or has headaches, stomach pains and other physical discomforts, then parents may need to pay attention to whether the child has 'Back to school depression'." Wang Yanling said.
Ni Zhiyong believes that parents should pay attention to their children's daily routine and behavior habits.
If your child starts to have irregular life schedules, often goes to bed late, has a high degree of video game addiction, frequently frowns, is unhappy, complains about "not wanting to go to school" and other behaviors, then it is likely to have "back-to-school depression".
In particular, he pointed out that if the above-mentioned phenomenon lasts for half a year or more, the child may have long-term anxiety and depression that have not been relieved. At this time, parents need to attach great importance to their children's mental health problems.
He cautions parents: "For some children, the 'back-to-school blues' may just be a symptom. He may have been having underlying anxiety or depression, but the timing of back-to-school has exposed it."
Ni Zhiyong believes that many parents need to change their minds.
"Many parents mistakenly characterize their children's behavior, thinking that children's negative emotions such as complaints, anxiety, and depression are 'too hard to eat' and 'too hypocritical'. Parents need to understand their children more. Anxiety and depression are like a 'fever' in the heart." If you have a cold, you can't hide from illness and avoid medical treatment, but early depression and anxiety are easy to solve."
But while paying attention and paying attention to it, parents can't mess up their positions.
"According to my observation, many parents are more anxious than their children." Sun Meirong told reporters that since children's homework needs parents' supervision or help to complete, parents' anxiety is also a common phenomenon before and after school starts.
Experts suggest that parents should lead by example and not convey anxiety to their children. When conflicts arise during communication with their children, they should calm themselves down first, let their children relax and fully express themselves, encourage them more and guide them to express themselves in a positive way. Attitude towards the school season.
A variety of ways to help children adjust and adapt as soon as possible
Experts have provided a number of suggestions for avoiding the "back-to-school blues" and adapting to school life smoothly.
Adjusting your schedule is the first important suggestion given by experts.
"Let the children go to bed early and get up early, so that they can adapt to the school schedule as soon as possible." Sun Meirong said.
Second, create an appropriate learning atmosphere.
For example, parents can buy some stationery and books for their children, pack their schoolbags with their children every day, discuss what to bring to school together, and give their children a certain degree of autonomy in these issues.
At the same time, it can also encourage children to review or preview the learning content, and guide children to gradually enter the learning state.
In addition, communicate with your children more.
Parents can guide their children to think about life back to school with a more positive and positive attitude.
For example, what interesting things did you chat with your classmates today or what new knowledge did you learn? Encourage your child to communicate with peers, care about your child's interpersonal communication, and regularly understand your child's feelings.
Experts suggest that when communicating with children, avoid "big slogans" and "strict requirements", affirm children's progress more, and be more specific and feasible when arranging learning tasks, such as insisting on doing 5 arithmetic problems every day to improve arithmetic ability.
At the same time, school teachers can also help children.
For example, do not arrange too much learning content 1-2 weeks after the start of school, and give students some time to adapt.
Experts also reminded that after school starts, it is normal for children to report "dizziness during the day", unconsciousness, fatigue, and inattention, and it will usually improve in about 2 weeks.
At this time, you can help the child divert his attention and encourage him to do things he is interested in, such as listening to music, exercising, etc., to prevent the child from being in a state of anxiety.