School Anxiety and Exam Pressure

School Anxiety and Exam Pressure | Therapy for Teens and Families

A gentle guide for navigating academic stress, emotional overwhelm, and family support

Why School Anxiety Is Rising

Many young people experience school not just as a place of learning, but as a source of emotional stress. You might notice:

• Panic or dread before school or exams

• Trouble sleeping, eating, or concentrating

• Withdrawal, irritability, or emotional shutdown

• Physical symptoms like headaches or nausea

Parents often feel unsure how to help, especially when their child seems overwhelmed but can’t explain why.

What’s Beneath the Pressure

School anxiety and exam stress often stem from:

• Fear of failure or not being “good enough”

• Perfectionism and high expectations

• Social pressure or fear of judgment

• Feeling emotionally unsafe or unsupported

These patterns can lead to anxiety, burnout, and emotional disconnection, even in students who appear to be coping.

How Therapy Can Help

Therapy offers a space to:

• Explore anxiety and overwhelm with compassion

• Build emotional regulation and coping strategies

• Reframe perfectionism and academic pressure

• Strengthen family communication and support

I offer therapy and counselling online, by phone, or through walk-and-talk sessions. Each format is designed to meet young people and families where they are, with warmth, clarity, and emotional safety.

Gentle Signs It’s Time to Reach Out

• Your child feels anxious or overwhelmed about school

• Revision or exams trigger emotional shutdown

• You’re unsure how to support without increasing pressure

• You both feel stuck in cycles of stress or avoidance

These are valid reasons to seek therapy. Support can make a meaningful difference, emotionally and academically.

Ready to Begin?

If you’re curious about therapy or wondering whether it’s right for your child or family, I offer a warm, inclusive space to explore your needs. You’re welcome to email me directly at fee.therapymoments@gmail.com — I’ll respond with care and clarity.

Therapy can help young people feel more emotionally equipped, supported, and confident, even during exam season.