How do I know if my child has a school phobia?

Some children become anxious or get into extreme states at the idea of ​​going to school, and are no longer receptive to any rational discourse likely to appease them. Depending on the symptoms, it may be a school phobiaalso called “anxious school refusal“. In France, this phenomenon remains difficult to quantify, even if it is estimated between 4 to 10% the number of children and adolescents with school phobianoted French Public Health. How to identify a school phobia in your child, and differentiate it from a simple passing crisis? What to do in case of school phobia? Answers with Marie-France Leheuzey, psychiatrist for children and adolescents and Marie Rose Moro, psychoanalyst and head of service at the Maison de Solenn.

What is school phobia?

“The term ‘school phobia’ is not appropriate, because the child is not ‘afraid’ of school: he simply can’t go there anymore.“, explains Marie-France Leheuzey. The child has a “school disgust”, which gives him a kind of nausea just at the mere thought of going there, adds Marie Rose Moro. He puts himself in such a state that it prevents him from going to class.

What are the symptoms of school phobia?

Generally, when a child or adolescent no longer wishes to go to school, this results in physical symptoms and other signs that may be more difficult to detect. These symptoms often occur in the morning before going to school, or on the Sunday before returning to school. We also notice that the older ones tend to take refuge behind screens (telephone, video games, social networks)has fall back on themselves. A child with school phobia may have:

• Vomiting
• Nausea
• Headache
• Stomach aches
• Diarrhea
• anxieties
• Crying spells
• Sleeping troubles

What are the causes of school phobia?

THE causes of school phobia vary from one child to another, but sometimes some of them can combine several stressors at the same time. In older children, these school-related anxieties may be the result of threats, harassment or humiliation in classor just the fear of a teacher, fear of not fitting inthat of judgment and the gaze of the other, especially at puberty.

Other possible cause: academic failure, poor grades and “performance anxiety”, this pressure that some children can have if they don’t manage to do well in school. In the smallest, it can be a child who cannot separate from his parents and who is affected by “separation anxiety“.

Who is affected by school phobia?

Teenagers are more affected by school phobia than kindergarten children. “Lepic school phobia occurs mainly in college, between the sixth and third grades“, specifies Marie Rose Moro, who recalls that 5 to 8% of consultations in child psychiatry in France concern cases of school phobia.

Should we change schools in case of school phobia?

It all depends on the situation, but specialists are not in favor of change of school, except if it is a project in agreement with the student and the teachers. Some parents, for example, have changed schools three times, without solving the problem at its source. Other solutions can also be considered by the parents in consultation with the child’s educational team:

• request a schedule arrangement at her child’s school ;
• request a CNED registration (National Center for Distance Education), subject to the prior agreement of the Academic Director.
• Request permission to home schoolunder conditions to Dasen (Academic Director of the National Education Services).

What is the treatment for my child’s school phobia?

There treatment of school phobia goes through different stages. First of all, an appointment with a psychologist or psychiatrist is necessary. He will be able to make a diagnosis and start a behavioral and cognitive therapy (TCC) as needed. “It is essential to take care of the problem as soon as possible and do not wait“, advises Marie-France Leheuzey.

Through follow-up and support, the psychologist will help the child to gradually return to school. Sometimes stopping school for a fixed period is necessary.

“It is essential to take care of the problem as soon as possible and not to wait.”

What can you do to help your child who suffers from school phobia?

In addition to treatment by a healthcare professional, parents also have a role to play. You must already realize that something abnormal is happening: so be attentive to the slightest change in behavior. Once the problem has been identified, it is important toestablish a dialogue with your child and ask him how he feelsemphasizes Marie-France Leheuzey.

In case of proven school phobia, “a collective work is to be carried out between the parents, the teenager or the child and the teaching team”, insists the child psychiatrist. On a day-to-day basis, parents must also pay attention to do not stress the child telling him that “the 6ᵉ is much more difficult than primary, that he will have to go to school alone, learn to defend himself, work to get good grades…“These standard phrases could increase his anxiety and put additional pressure on him. On the contrary, staying positive will help to value him and give him self-confidence. The expert also advises parents to listen to their children and not only be interested in grades, but also in their relationships with their classmates, their feelings and what is happening on a daily basis. .

For help and advice, you can consult your general practitioner or a specialist psychologist on his questions. You also have the option of turning to associationsas School Phobia Associationwhose mission is to inform and guide parents directly or indirectly concerned with school phobia.

Thanks to Marie-France Leheuzey, child and adolescent psychiatrist at Robert Debré Hospital in Paris, and author of the book School phobia: how to help children and teenagers in need of school? and to Marie Rose Moro, psychiatrist, psychoanalyst and head of service at the Maison de Solenn.