School Phobia | School Avoidance | School Anxiety

School phobia, School avoidance or school anxiety is becoming common these days. Especially after vacation or after a prolonged illness the child has a fear to go to school. Basically it's a manifestation of child's anxiety which can be manifested in the form of irritability,throwing tantrums, abdominal pain, nausea, headache or vomiting. These are all signs of school phobia. There can be factors at home or at school. As a parent it's your responsibility to identify these triggering factors. You MUST NOT avoid or ignore these symptoms otherwise if not tackled in time it may lead to long term depression and poor academic performance. Parents should be firm and persistent and should convince the child to go to school. They must meet the teacher and counselor in school and convey the problem in detail. It's the responsibility of the teacher as well to follow the child's routine in school and try to identify the possible causative factors if any. There should be a program of giving rewards when the child is showing improvement in school attendance. For medical issues which the children say before going to school an opinion of your Pediatrician must be sought so that you don't miss any significant illness which the child might be suffering from. It's only when your Pediatrician says that these symptoms are psychosomatic in origin then you should focus on Cognitive Behavioral therapy for your child. The outcome is usually satisfactory when help is sought in time.