Anxiety disorder

Anxiety is a normal reaction to stress. However an anxiety disorder is when a child’s anxiety interferes with school, friends or home-life.

Anxiety can be triggered by almost anything. As a result, anxiety disorders can present in many different ways. Anxiety can be issue-specific, triggered by being away from a parent or carer (separation anxiety), a fear of being in public and seeing friends (social anxiety) and/or a concern about going to school (school-based anxiety or anxious school-refusing).

Common occurring behaviours are:

• Concentration difficulties
• Sleep difficulties
• Frequent crying
• Constant negative thoughts
• Fidgeting and frequent toilet use

It can be difficult to secure support for an anxiety disorder or obtain a diagnosis. We have acted in numerous cases where children have been unable to attend school and access education as a result of anxiety. In such situations, the child has special educational needs (SEN) and advice should be obtained.

As anxiety can have such a varying impact, a careful assessment of needs is often recommended. A child may require support at SEN additional support, whereas in other cases an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) will be necessary.