Scared of School

School Phobia can come under other names such as: School Refusal, School Avoidance, School Anxiety, Didaskaleinophobia, or Scolionophobia.

School phobia is defined as,

The first thing that anyone will ask you, when you tell them you are afraid of school, is why. This may not be easy to answer. In some cases the reason is that you are being bullied, or pressured about the workload, a change in your social or academic life or a certain class/teacher that makes you anxious. In some other cases, the phobia of school creeps up, seemingly out of nowhere making it more difficult to explain. The bottom line is - school phobia is an anxiety disorder. Now it's not a small thing like you freak out because homework is late and so become school phobic, it's something the builds up after time. It is quite often caused by a form of depression (and vice versa) or a number of fears and stresses.  These things can build up and sometimes the child doesn't even know the cause of it. Trying to decipher what triggered it can be a tricky task and telling people can be even trickier. Many occasions school phobics reply with, "I don't know," when asked why they are scared of school.

There is some evidence to suggest that anxiety disorders are more common in people whose parents have suffered similar conditions.

School phobia often occurs fully (the fear may have been there already, just not as bad) after a long period of absence from school. School phobics feel they may be behind in work and so panic about going back.

In our experience with the school, psychologists, psychiatrists, doctors etc. we've found that as soon as you tell them that there is a problem with the school or your education, they automatically presume there is a problem at home and that the blame doesn't lie with them. This may be true - some teenagers are scared to go to school because they feel they are needed in the home to look after a family member for various reasons. School phobia is very often considered to be a manifestation of Separation Anxiety - anxiety brought about because the child doesn't wish to leave or be parted from their parent or guardian. Being scared of school can be brought about by anything traumatic happening recently in your life. There are more theories on the causes etc. than we could ever hope to put here.

But the anxiety over school is usually wrongly attributed to the home, a place s/he would apparently prefer to be than within the school, which is the place they want to avoid. You will more than likely be told that there is nothing the school can do for you if you don't tell them what the problem is. Even if you know the problem, which some of you may not, the school's main goal is to make sure you turn up on time every day and are there until the bell rings for the end of the school day. Not all schools are like this, but this is just a warning. Don't take it for granted that they'll be as understanding as you hope. So what do you do?

If you are currently attending school whilst suffering with school phobia then the best thing to do is to tell someone (family member, doctor, etc.) and get it out in the open. You will have to communicate with the school. It's best to have someone who understands how you're feeling before you call a meeting with your school. Ask that they be allowed to be present at the meeting. Think about what you want to achieve from the meeting; what can they do to make it easier for you? Plan what you're going to say and do not just say what you think they want to hear. The school's main concern is probably your attendance and so tell them straight - this is what you'd like and this is what might make attending easier and prevent any unauthorised absence. If you've got a rough idea of what caused your school anxiety whether it be bullying, workload etc. then address the problem at the meeting. Maybe some changes to that specific area can be made. Assure them that you want to learn and be educated in a safe and happy environment it's just that as things stand currently you don't feel comfortable learning and the longer the problem goes on unnoticed, the more detrimental it will be to your overall education and health. Have a look at our School Survival Guide page for some tips on how to keep positive day-to-day.

We've only dealt with one school and so we're not experts in any way. This is just a guide. We can't predict the outcome. If after meetings nothing has changed for the better then you’ll have to consider your options. Take a look at our Alternative Education page.

If things have got to the stage where you have stopped attending occasionally or completely, with or without your parents' knowledge then you will need to tell them. Make sure they realise that school refusing (refusing or not attending school because of anxiety) is very different to truanting.    

Once you've told someone how you feel and what's been happening then, yet again, you'll have to arrange a meeting ensuring that person is there too. Now, if you've been school refusing we understand that you may not feel comfortable within the school and so find out if the meeting could be held elsewhere like in your house. Maybe a member of staff could come and speak to you and then report back to the others. Most of the meeting process is as written above but because you haven't been attending consistently the school may try a scare tactic such as the threat of prosecution against your parent or guardian. It's unlikely that they would carry this out so try not to worry too much. Present the facts again to the school this time that school refusing is different to truanting. Again, think about what you want to achieve from the meeting, and as you have taken quite a drastic action (staying off) they may feel more inclined to do something. Don't rush yourself and try your best to get the result that will help you. Try not to let them pressure you too much.

As said above, if this doesn't help the situation then take a look at our Alternative Education page for other options.