How to Get an Anxious Teen Back to School

Talking to your teen helps him prepare for a new school homeroom.

Teenagers experience anxiety often, but you must help your teen if he's anxious about returning to school and his fears may prevent him from doing so. A teenager's anxiety level is influenced by various factors -- hormonal changes and personal confidence levels, for example -- and a new school year presents social challenges that commonly increase his existing anxiousness. Talking to your teen helps you identify the root of his problem, but you may need to arrange for professional help in some cases.

Instructions

1. Ask your teen about his fears and anxieties. Part of conquering these emotions is identifying their sources. Encourage your child to talk openly and honestly about his concerns.

2. Explain to your teen his feelings, while genuine, are a normal part of growing up. Mention the feelings won't last forever and that he will learn to deal with the anxiety he's experiencing. Share any anxiety you felt about school at the same age to show you understand his fears and don't think he's foolish or "weak."

3. Point out previous anxiety-inducing situations he's overcome to build his confidence. Mention any specific events he enjoyed because he overcame his anxiety. For example, you might talk about how he went to school last year despite his feelings and had a great time at a school function or club activity because of it.

4. Talk about possible anxiety-reducing tools. For example, listening to music before school each day might ease his nerves. Offer to help him develop habits to cope with his anxiety.

5. Rehearse anxiety-inducing situations. Practice runs help your teen become more comfortable.

6. Arrange for your teen to do community service work in a program with other teens. Interacting with other teens will help him build his social skills. For example, camps often have teen volunteers to assist the counselors.

7. Help your teen find a job where he must interact with others, such as a retail store. A work environment will help him boost his confidence and improve his social interaction.

8. Arrange to visit the school with your teen before the school year starts. Ask the school for his schedule if possible, and take him to his new classrooms. Seeing the environment beforehand helps him overcome fears related to new areas.

9. Seek professional help if you can't ease your teen's anxiety or have serious concerns. According to the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, if his anxiety is high for more than six months straight or his fears prevent him from living a normal life, he may have an anxiety disorder.

Tips & Warnings

• Seek professional help for your teen immediately if he's engaging in suicidal or destructive behavior, such as cutting.

References

• American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry: Your Adolescent - Anxiety and Avoidant Disorders
• Education.com: Addressing Back-to-School Social Anxiety