What it looks like

Common Symptoms

Cognition

presents with worry

concentration and memory issues

attention problems

oversensitivity

difficulties problem solving

Behavior

increased activity

motor restlessness

fidgiting

task avoidance

rapid speech

irritability

erratic behavior

withdrawal

lack of participation

perfectionism

failure to complete tasks

Physiology

flushing of the skin

tics

rapid heart rate

perspiration

headaches

muscle tension

nausea

vomitting

enuresis

Effects on Academic Performance:

High levels of anxiety can make learning difficult, and struggles in school can lead to even more anxiety

Students may:

develop a sense of learned helplessness
avoid tasks
withdraw
give up easily
self-blame or self-depricate
ruminate about their competence
show decreased motivation

Effects on social development:

Students may have difficulties

participating in group activities
fitting in with their peers
in friendships (making and keeping)

Students may rather withdraw completely from social situations rather than risk rejection

Outcomes can include distress, cognitive impairments, and avoidance.

Anxiety is sometimes difficult to recognize, and may appear to be something else all together. See the chart below for examples.

Anxiety can also look like disinterest or poor achievement. Heightened anxiety causes certain behaviors like freezing when called on despite knowing an answer to a question, second guessing answers/ their papers having many eraser marks, or skipping classes

Additionally, perfomanace may look different day to day, as anxiety can be unpredictable and influenced by many factors.