MarkDworkin.com

MANY STUDENTS SHOW SIGNS OF ANXIETY OR DEPRESSION IN JUNE

Students are coming back home from college now. Many have been happy with how their semester went. Many aren’t:

• Some may be perfectionists; having unrelenting standards; not recognizing achievements.
• Some are trying to live up to their parent’s high expectations.
• Such anxiety & depression can lead to a vicious cycle of academic neglect, drug & alcohol abuse, parental & social conflict, and sometimes worse.

Many parents try to help:

• Did they spend enough time studying?
• Was there something in the course material that was too challenging, or too embarrassed to tell you?
• Did they spend too much time with extra-curricular activities, e.g. clubs, parties, etc..
• Parents may suggest some guidelines, such as, sufficient time for studying, organize your notes, summarize notes, etc.
• Suggesting a student tutor or summer courses.

This may not be enough. Parents can find themselves nagging their children:

This can cause rebellion and opposition.

Many parents’ self-esteem is mixed up with the child’s performance; if their children don’t do well, it can lead to parents and or children:

• Getting depressed
• Becoming anxious
• Parent/child fighting

What can family & friends do beyond nagging, or suggesting academic solutions?

Your family & friends may not implement your useful suggestions because there may be underlying psychological issues (such as being a perfectionist, ADD/ADHD, or low self-esteem) which are inhibiting them.

Here’s how you can help:

FOR STUDENTS, HERE ARE ACTIONS YOU CAN TAKE TO HELP RELIEVE ANXIETY OR DEPRESSION:

• Give yourself a break.
• Understand that an A- is still very good, and is not the end of the world
• Allow more time for studying and make time for study breaks
• Give yourself a mental reward. When you have accomplished something, make sure to tell yourself that you did good

PRODUCTIVE WAYS OF COMMUNICATING FOR PARENTS:

• “I realize you’re trying and not succeeding, is there something holding you back? Let’s talk.”
• “You’re doing ok. But it seems like you’re always thinking that you’re not good enough… Why do you think that way?”
• If you can’t get a good enough understanding or come to mutual solutions through conversation, then suggest a professional, like myself.

If you’re a friend of the family, you can do something like, “I read a quick article by Mark Dworkin, a psychotherapist, who works with students. You should e-mail him/her your concerns.”

If you or someone you know have students or parents who are involved in these dilemmas,

Call Me at (516) 731-7611

or send me an e-mail at

Info@MarkDworkin.com

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