The Overanxious Student
Anxiety is a normal response to a perceived danger or threat to one's well being. While everyone suffers from occasional anxiety, sometimes the level of anxiety can become overwhelming. For some students, the cause of anxiety is clear; for others, it is difficult to pinpoint the reason for their distress. regardless of the cause, the student may experience the following symptoms:
-
rapid heart-beat
- chest pain or discomfort
- dizziness
- sweating, trembling, or shaking
- difficulty concentrating
- always feeling "on the edge:
- having trouble making decisions
- sleeping problems
- feeling unable to complete coursework,
- or being too afraid to take appropriate action.
- Let the student discuss his or her feelings and thoughts in an appropriate setting: this alone often relieves a great deal of pressure
- Provide reassurance
- Be clear and directive
- Talk slowly and remain calm
- Discern whether you are able to respond adequately to the student's concerns or if a referral is necessary
- Provide a safe and quiet environment until the symptoms subside.
- If appropriate, develop a plan with the student for academic issues within the classroom and make appropriate referrals if needed.
- Minimizing the perceived threat to which the student is reacting
- Taking responsibility for the student's emotional state
- Becoming anxious or overwhelmed yourself
The student may also complain of:
In some cases, students may experience a panic attack in which the physical symptoms are so spontaneous and intense they fear they are dying. The following guidelines are appropriate in most cases.
Helpful Actions
Unhelpful Actions
For further assistance regarding the Overanxious Student, contact Counseling Services at 541-962-3524 or click here and contact the Office of Student Affairs (962-3635) or click here.
Contact Information for Student Affairs
One University BoulevardLa Grande, OR 97850-2899Phone: 541-962-3635E-Mail: saffairs@eou.edu