School Anxiety

School anxiety refers to an excessive and persistent fear related to attending school or being at school. It may manifest in diffuse physical symptoms such as nausea, headaches, stomachaches, or sleep disturbances. In some cases, the affected child is unable to participate in class and avoids or refuses to enter the school building.

School anxiety is not classified as a mental disorder. However, it may be associated with mental illnesses such as anxiety disorders (including separation anxiety or social phobia) and depression, or may develop into them. Prolonged school anxiety can have a lasting impact on a student’s educational trajectory through extended absences and may therefore limit future occupational and career opportunities.

In Germany, approximately 3.8 percent of students were affected by school anxiety in 2018. Rates are assumed to somewhat higher among gifted children and adolescents. School anxiety often arises when students’ intellectual or emotional needs are not sufficiently met in the school context. For gifted students, key risk factors include persistent cognitive underchallenge, fear of failure or evaluation, and social anxiety.