What is obsessive school phobia, and how should it be handled?

Generally, obsessive school phobia refers to school phobia, a psychological condition in which children or adolescents experience intense anxiety and fear about attending school or being in the school environment. Causes of this disorder include academic pressure, experiences of bullying, separation anxiety disorder, social phobia, and anxiety disorders. If experiencing discomfort, it is recommended to seek timely medical treatment. Specific analyses are as follows:

1. Academic Pressure

Schools typically have certain expectations and requirements for students, including academic performance, exam results, and progress in studies. When children feel unable to meet these expectations, they may experience stress and anxiety, leading to fear of school and ultimately school phobia. It is recommended to develop a reasonable study plan, manage time effectively, ensure sufficient time to complete assignments and prepare for exams, prioritize important tasks, avoid procrastination, and allocate time appropriately across different subjects and activities.

2. Experiences of Bullying

Bullying experiences may damage a child’s sense of trust in others, causing suspicion and fear toward peers or the school environment, along with concerns about being hurt or betrayed again. Such trust issues may contribute to the development of school phobia. First and foremost, ensuring personal safety is critical. If you feel physically or emotionally threatened, inform family members, teachers, or school administrators as soon as possible so appropriate actions can be taken to protect you.

3. Separation Anxiety Disorder

Separation anxiety disorder may stem from traumatic experiences during early childhood. One of its core symptoms is an extreme fear of being separated from close attachment figures. This anxiety may become particularly evident in school settings, as school often involves separation from family. Children may worry about leaving their home environment and being apart from loved ones, leading to symptoms such as sleep disturbances, blurred sense of reality, and school phobia. Medications such as sertraline hydrochloride tablets or fluvoxamine maleate tablets may be used under medical supervision.

4. Social Phobia

Social phobia may be related to an individual's social environment and personal experiences. School is a highly social environment where students must interact with peers, teachers, and other staff. For children with social phobia, the fear of embarrassment or negative evaluation in social situations may trigger shyness, emotional instability, and ultimately school phobia due to social pressures. Medications such as maprotiline hydrochloride tablets (contraindicated for children under 6 years) or fluvoxamine maleate tablets may be prescribed under a doctor’s guidance.

5. Anxiety Disorder

Anxiety disorders may arise from individual psychological factors. Children with anxiety disorders often feel uneasy and fearful regarding uncertainty. The school environment contains many unpredictable elements, such as new subjects, teachers, and classmates. This unpredictability may exacerbate symptoms of anxiety, leading to restlessness, muscle tension, twitching, and school phobia. Medications such as oxazepam tablets or lorazepam tablets may be taken under medical supervision.

In addition, individuals can learn coping techniques for school phobia in daily life, such as deep breathing, relaxation techniques, and positive self-talk. These strategies can help maintain calmness and relaxation when facing fear.