How can we differentiate everyday worries from excessive worries?
Everyone has worries about different things that happen day to day. Worries help us remember things we need to do and prepare us to deal with challenges. However, for some people, these worries can become excessive.
Excessive worries are those that linger all the time, are recurrent, and persist for several weeks or months, and that interfere with schoolwork, relationships with family and friends, leisure activities, and overall quality of life.
Sometimes students will have “adult world” concerns – family conflict, violence, or other life-or death situations of family members. The first step is always to listen to and understand what is going on in a student’s life.
What can we do to help someone who is worrying too much?
- Tell them that everyone experiences anxiety, to a greater or lesser degree, noting that there are ways to manage it;
- Help them address the sources of anxiety, if possible, little by little;
- Teach them effective problem-solving skills, acknowledge small successes, and prevent problems from lingering;
- Help them focus on the present, rather than worrying excessively about the future;
- Encourage physical exercise;
- Help them use relaxation and breathing techniques;
- Encourage them to talk about their feelings and thoughts with their friends, parents, and other adults they trust.
What are unhelpful responses?
- Downplaying the suffering or negative impacts associated with excessive worries;
- Dismissing severe cases (that require referrals to healthcare professionals);
- Using medication (without prescription), alcohol, or illicit drugs for calming effects;
- Making them recall, talk about, focus on things/situations that generate anxiety;
- Not paying attention to what the student is saying or when they express feelings.
Watch the video about excessive worries
These videos are in Portuguese. However, you can go to the Setting, click on Auto-translate, select English, and click on CC to turn on the subtitles.