Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
Anxiety is a normal response to stress, such as relationship changes, public speaking, or major decisions. However, when it becomes persistent and disrupts daily life, it may indicate a mental health disorder. Anxiety and depression often occur together—nearly half of those with depression also have an anxiety disorder.
May is Mental Health Awareness Month.
May is Mental Health Awareness Month, including a week focusing on anxiety and depression. This month is a time to raise awareness of mental health disorders and reduce their stigma.
What is Generalized Anxiety Disorder?
Anxiety can be a regular part of life when faced with stressors such as changes in relationships, presenting in front of a crowd, or making decisions. When anxiety is persistent and interferes with daily functioning, it can be a symptom of a mental health diagnosis.
Educational Tips
Communication
- Ask the student close-ended (e.g., yes or no) questions rather than open-ended questions.
- Ask the student opinion questions rather than questions requiring a particular answer.
- Call on the student for answers on topics about which they are knowledgeable or confident.
- Refrain from calling on a student who visibly appears to be experiencing anxiety symptoms.
Tasks and Assignments
- Provide students with an individual study area.
- Allow the student to use headphones, earphones, earplugs, etc., to block out background noise.
- Provide the student extra time to make in-class transitions from one activity to another.
- Use a timer or other auditory device to signal that it’s time to start a different task or make another transition.
- Try to keep classroom routines as predictable as possible without sudden changes. Whenever possible, plan in advance for transitions that will occur.
- Consider modifying the ways class directions/instructions are given:
- Give directions that are concise rather than long and wordy.
- Provide visual aids accompanying verbal directions/instructions (e.g., write them on the board).
- Capture students’ attention before giving directions by telling them they must listen to instructions about what will be given.
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What is Generalized Anxiety Disorder?
Everyone experiences anxiety at some point in their lives, from the very young to the very old. In school, students may get nervous during a fire drill, before a test or...
