Overview of Anxiety
"Experiencing occasional anxiety is a normal part of life. However, people with anxiety disorders frequently have intense, excessive and persistent worry and fear about everyday situations. Often, anxiety disorders involve repeated episodes of sudden feelings of intense anxiety and fear or terror that reach a peak within minutes (panic attacks).
These feelings of anxiety and panic interfere with daily activities, are difficult to control, are out of proportion to the actual danger and can last a long time. You may avoid places or situations to prevent these feelings. Symptoms may start during childhood or the teen years and continue into adulthood.
Examples of anxiety disorders include generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder (social phobia), specific phobias and separation anxiety disorder. You can have more than one anxiety disorder. Sometimes anxiety results from a medical condition that needs treatment."
-Mayo Clinic
These feelings of anxiety and panic interfere with daily activities, are difficult to control, are out of proportion to the actual danger and can last a long time. You may avoid places or situations to prevent these feelings. Symptoms may start during childhood or the teen years and continue into adulthood.
Examples of anxiety disorders include generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder (social phobia), specific phobias and separation anxiety disorder. You can have more than one anxiety disorder. Sometimes anxiety results from a medical condition that needs treatment."
-Mayo Clinic
|
|
|
Lessons for Anxiety
I Know That...
Have students write "I know that.." at least 5 times in different colors down their page. Then have them list what they know about themselves, their environment and the people in their life. This is an anxiety plan that can be pulled out when the student it having big feelings of anxiety. Having students repeat these "I Knows" can help them reach a state calm in a heightened state. Try this activity individually or in small group! |
Understanding What You Control
Have students draw themselves inside a circle. Makes sure they leave room for words and phrases. Have them think of anxieties that they have. If they can control that anxiety, have them write it inside the circle. If they have no control over the anxiety, then they place it outside of the circle. Understanding what students do and do not have control over can help them understand and manage their anxieties. 
|
Worry Worms |
Let It Go Use the template below to talk about anxieties that we can let go. If we can not control the outcome, then it may be time to let that anxiety go. This lesson can also be done in physical form by attaching anxieties to balloon and releasing the balloons. This is great symbolism of letting go of that which we can't control. Click here for a printable template. |
|
The purpose of “The Worry Worms” intervention is to help the students identify and begin talking about their worries. The student should write down each worry on a paper worm. Next the student can place them in a can of worms (a decorated Pringles can) to help contain their worries. The worries can stay in the can until the student is ready to battle them. The “worry worms” can be removed as the student conquers the worry.
|
|
Affirmations for Anxiety
More About Anxiety
