The neurologist named the causes of irritability and anxiety in children at the beginning of the school year

At the beginning of the school year, students may change their mood and behavior due to adaptation to a new regime, increased workload and social changes. Anxiety during this period does not always manifest itself directly and can be expressed in irritability, complaints about well-being or unwillingness to go to classes. Natalia Stepanenko, a neurologist at Children's Medicine JSC (Academician Roitberg Clinic), Candidate of Medical Sciences, told Izvestia about this on September 1.

According to the specialist, in September, the child simultaneously faces several changes: he has to get up earlier, follow a new schedule, perform more mandatory tasks, get used to the demands of teachers and interact with the team. Even if the student is happy to meet friends and return to school, the perestroika itself can become a source of tension. The result is anxiety, irritability, tearfulness, or mood swings.

"Adaptation is especially difficult for children who go to the first grade, transfer to a new school or find themselves in a new team. The emotional state largely depends on how much the child understands what awaits him and who he can turn to for help. Behavior in such situations often becomes a way to communicate difficulties that the child does not yet know how to formulate in words," Stepanenko said.

At the same time, emotional swings in the first weeks of school can be a normal reaction to changes. If the child gradually gets used to the regime, retains interest in games, communication, sleep and appetite are not disturbed, most often it is about the adaptation period. According to Stepanenko, the duration and severity of symptoms are important. If the condition gradually improves, there are usually fewer reasons for serious concern.

Mugs, a long walk to school, homework, and early risers can create additional stress on the nervous system. It is more difficult for a tired child to control emotions, cope with failures and calmly react to conflicts. Due to overwork, a student may experience outbursts of irritation after class. According to the doctor, this does not always indicate bad behavior or character of the child, but may be a result of accumulated fatigue.

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An overloaded schedule and a large number of additional activities can also worsen the quality of sleep and emotional state. The expert noted that parents sometimes increase the tension themselves when they demand that the child calm down immediately, compare him with other children, or devalue his experiences. Instead, the specialist recommends showing the child that his feelings are noticed and accepted. For example, you can calmly say, "It looks like it's hard for you right now," and then discuss together what will help you cope with a particular situation.

In the first weeks of study, it is important to maintain a stable sleep, nutrition and rest regime. After school, the child needs time without additional requirements and evaluation of results. Stepanenko advises not to overload the schedule with a large number of clubs immediately after the start of the school year. Walking, free play, and socializing with family also help you recover from school stress.

Simple measures can also reduce anxiety: a backpack prepared in the evening, a clear morning plan, a pre-completed route to school, and the child's confidence that, if necessary, he will be able to turn to an adult for help.

If a child refuses to go to school for several weeks, becomes withdrawn, loses his appetite, sleeps poorly, regularly complains of feeling unwell or emotional outbursts increase, it is worth contacting specialists.

Psychologist, author of the Endorphins podcast Sergey Lang named on August 24 a method that helps to overcome anxiety at the beginning of the school year. The expert recommended explaining to the child that school is only a part of life, that he will still have time for himself and friends. It is also important for parents to monitor their own anxiety and not pass it on to their children. Lang suggested imagining the experience as a "ball of anxiety" that family members toss to each other, and trying to understand who the tension is coming from initially.