Spotlight On: Anxiety

With a side of Stress, Sadness &

Depression

What is Stress

Some Online Stress Tests:

http://www.bemindful.co.uk/mbsr/test

http://www.healthyplace.com/psychological-tests/online-stress-test/

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/stress-assessment/SR00029

Is a normal part of life. Some situation are more stressful than others.

Small doses can help you perform under pressure.

BUT, when you are constantly running under

pressure it becomes harmful…

What’s bad about Stress?

Beyond a certain point, stress stops being helpful and starts causing major damage to your health, your mood, your productivity, your relationships, and your quality of life.

Difference Between Anxiety & Depression

Anxiety

- Fear based and focused on events yet to happen, an anticipated negative outcome

90% of students problems are fear based

Depression

- Loss based either tangible or psychological

It comes after the sad. It’s bigger than sad. +++

What is Anxiety

Gnosiophobia: Fear of Knowledge

Kakorrhaphiophobia: Fear of failure or defeat.

Arachibutyrophobia:Fear of peanut butter sticking to the roof of the mouth.

It is more than being stressed out and there are many types.

GAD – Generalized anxiety disorder

Phobias – Irrational fears

Social Phobia – intense fear of humiliation

Obsessive-compulsive – unwanted and repetitive

thoughts / behaviours

PTSD – intense and lasting reaction to events

Separation Anxiety

Reactive Attachment

What Anxiety looks like:Physically:• Shyness• Trembling• Weariness• Blushing• Dizziness• Shaking• Shortness of

breath

Situations which are Anxiety provoking:

• Speaking in groups• Test taking• Speaking to other

students• Eating or Drinking

while others are watching

• Going to the office

What’s bad about Anxiety?

• Interferes with daily activities• Causes panic attacks• Unlikely to be able to focus on

school work or enjoy favorite activities

• Impedes social experiences• Contagious

Depression

Online Depression Screen for personal use:

http://www.depression.org.nz/depression/self+test

Fantastic online resources for depression:

http://www.beyondblue.org.au/index.aspx?

Major Depressive Disorder – one or more depressive

episodes lasting at least 2 weeks

Bipolar – mania and depression, generally not

diagnosed in children under 18

Dysthymia – chronically depressed mood occurring for more than one year in children

Depression and School:

Affects about 8% of students and generally more males than females. Currently of the known cases in our school, both are male.

Make a school based mental health referral to tailor classroom support. We have forms to use and numbers to call.

Not solved easily with medication and counselling, it is very much a see what works process.

Often (50% of the time) reoccurs.

What are we doing – Time to participate:

If we work from the fact that all students are stressed and anxious what are we doing to help this? (Many)

If we work from the premise that some of our students go beyond the “normal” limits of anxiety and stress? (Some)

If we know that we have a few students with severe reactions to stress? (Few)

Many

Some

Few

Stressed

Address the stress – pinpoint

Take Action

Get Physical

Eat Well – Be Well

BREATHE – focus on patterns

Stay Connected

Self talk skills

Anxious

Talking worries over with someone who is trusted

Mediation and breathing exercises/training

Exercise (body breaks, squishy balls, dyna bands)

Sleep

TREATMENT – with a doctor or health professional which may include medication

Depressed

Watch for signs – generally move slowly, cry a lot, say things that are negative about themselves and world around them, may not pay attention to how they look.

Listen and get them help – School based mental health referral.

Online Resourceshttp://www.conductmanagement.com/amhb/

www.griponlife.ca

www.mindyourmind.ca

www.beyondblue.org.au/ybblue/

www.moodgym,anu.edu.au

http://www.anxietycanada.ca/