Anxiety and Learning

By:Stefani Stojanoska

It can be difficult for anyone to learn when their anxiety takes over. Anxiety can make it difficult to focus and pay attention. An individual’s anxiety takes over concentrating on other things other than learning. An example of this is if someone’s loved one is feeling sick they can be worried about them instead of focusing on what they are supposed to learn. When people feel stressed their body goes into “fight or flight” mode. Anxiety makes memory difficult since people tend to “freeze” when feeling anxious. When this happens it is tough for individuals to process new information. When people are in these “fight or flight” modes they tend to make bad decisions such as worrying about other things which can slow down their learning and memory. Anxiety can also hold back creativity. They might be worried about what others will think about their ideas which might result in their holding back and sticking with an ordinary idea.

Ways parents can help children

1. Get help as soon as possible. Parents can talk to their child’s teacher to learn ways to help their child. Consult a child psychologist who can recommend ways to help reduce their anxiety and improve their learning.
2. Parents can talk to their children about what causes their anxiety. They can teach them ways to calm down before going to school. This topic should be discussed daily with children so that each day it can become easier for them to control their anxiety.
3. Parents can do academic learning at home that way the child will be in a comfortable setting and will be able to improve. The parent can work on academic subjects with their child at home so that they can learn since their anxiety makes it difficult for them to learn in a school setting. The parent can get help from the teacher so they know what they have to learn.

If you or someone you know is struggling with anxiety or their mental health, please contact our psychotherapy offices in New York or New Jersey to talk to one of our licensed professional psychologists, psychiatrists, psychiatric nurse practitioners, or psychotherapists at Arista Counseling & Psychotherapy. Contact our Paramus, NJ, Manhattan, NY offices respectively, at (202) 368 3700 or (212) 722 1920 to set up an appointment. For more information, please visit https://aristapsychiatrypsychotherapy.com/