Northbrook native Lexi Serra is heading back to Butler University to start her Junior year next week.
She spent much of her summer traveling abroad and looks forward to seeing her friends again. However, the back-to-school transition hasn’t always been easy.
Six years ago, she was diagnosed with an eating disorder, anxiety and depression. That made leaving her tight knit family difficult.
“When you go off to school, you have to build a whole new support system from scratch,” said Serra.
Serra says she feels more confident now and found bringing some comforts from home, like a stuffed toy and headphones, eased her transition.
Staying organized, writing her to-do list in a planner and finding a safe space on campus outside of her dorm room bubble also helped.
“Big thing for me is going on walks, listening to music, reading a book, calling my family or friends,” she said.
Anxiety is the most common mental health condition among adolescents, affecting about one in 12 young children, and as many as one in four older teens, according to the American Academy of Family Physicians.
Serra was treated at Pathlight Mood and Anxiety Center in Chicago.
Michelle Casto is the clinical manager and says parents and caregivers should take note of a change in behavior and ask questions.
“First day jitters” are normal, according to Casto, but when feelings interfere with daily life and routines, that can be a sign children need extra support.
“Some avoidance, a lot of conflict at home about getting to school in the morning or even the evenings to get to bed,” said Casto, a licensed clinical professional counselor.
Complaining of physical pain, behavioral changes in the classroom or at home and changes in appetite can also be signs of anxiety.
Casto says parents should talk to their kids about anxiety and validate their responses.
“I would start with, ‘how do you feel about going back to school? Is there anything you liked about school last year? Is there any thing you’re scared about school this year?’ And then if you are scared, ‘what are you scared of? Is there is there anything I can help you do?'”
She also suggests setting a routine before classes begin, prioritizing sleep. Another way to ease nerves is to tour the school together before the first day.
“It’s okay to experience anxiety. So, I just want to throw that out there because uncertainty’s really hard, and everyone experiences a normal amount of it. If it’s getting really severe, please reach out for help,” said Casto.
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