Anxiety: Understanding, Causes and Management

Anxiety: Understanding, Causes and Management

Learning Objective

At the end of the lesson, you will be able to define anxiety, identify its causes and apply effective management strategies.

Introduce the topic and let the students know what they will achieve by the end of the lesson.

What is Anxiety?

Anxiety is a feeling of unease, such as worry or fear, that can be mild or severe. It is a normal emotion but can become overwhelming for some people.

Explain the meaning of anxiety and use examples to help students understand.

Types of Anxiety

There are different types of anxiety, including Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD), Panic Disorder, Social Anxiety Disorder, and Specific Phobias.

Explain the different types of anxiety and their symptoms. Use real-life examples to illustrate each type.

Causes of Anxiety

Anxiety can be caused by a variety of factors, such as genetics, brain chemistry, personality, and life experiences.

Discuss the common causes of anxiety and how they affect individuals. Encourage students to share their experiences or those of someone they know.

Identifying Anxiety Triggers

Anxiety triggers are situations or events that cause anxiety. Identifying them can help manage anxiety better.

Discuss common anxiety triggers and how to identify them. Encourage students to share their own experiences or those of someone they know.

Coping Strategies

There are several coping strategies that can help manage anxiety, such as deep breathing, relaxation techniques, exercise, and seeking professional help.

Discuss different coping strategies and how they can be applied. Encourage students to share their own strategies.

Self-Help Techniques

Self-help techniques can also help manage anxiety, such as positive self-talk, mindfulness, and avoiding drugs and alcohol.

Discuss self-help techniques that can be used to manage anxiety. Encourage students to share their own techniques.

When to Seek Professional Help

If anxiety is interfering with daily life, it may be time to seek professional help. A mental health professional can provide the right diagnosis and treatment plan.

Discuss when it's appropriate to seek professional help and the different types of mental health professionals available. Provide resources for students who may need help.

Write down 3 things you learned in this lesson.

Have students enter three things they learned in this lesson. With this they can indicate their own learning efficiency of this lesson.

Write down 2 things you want to know more about.

Here, students enter two things they would like to know more about. This not only increases involvement, but also gives them more ownership.

Ask 1 question about something you haven't quite understood yet.

The students indicate here (in question form) with which part of the material they still have difficulty. For the teacher, this not only provides insight into the extent to which the students understand/master the material, but also a good starting point for the next lesson.

What do you already know about anxiety?