In our Western societies, performance is often established as a fundamental value: we must be good at everything, all the time and in the various spheres of our lives. This injunction affects adults, but also more and more children who feel the obligation to perform, from an early age. If, to a certain extent, the desire to succeed can serve as a motivation, it can also become a hindrance to fulfillment and become a source of anxiety, a phenomenon that must be taken seriously.
From stress to performance anxiety
First of all, it should be noted that stress and anxiety are natural phenomena, even essential to survival. It is in fact a physical reaction to a threat, physical or abstract, which pushes us to take action to avoid or counter it. Initially, this reaction was intended to protect our ancestors from direct physical dangers (hunger, cold, wild animals, enemy attacks). Only with the comfort and security of modern societies have the sources of anxiety shifted to abstract threats, often related to psychological needs (need for control over one’s environment, recognized and esteemed need, desire to please, etc.). It is from this displacement of stressors and this generalization of these effects that performance anxiety arises.
Manifestations of performance anxiety
While it can affect both adults and children, it often occurs in children in a school setting, especially during assessments (exams, oral presentations, etc.). It can also appear during artistic performances (music, theater, school shows, etc.) or sports competitions. As these events approach, performance anxiety can trigger various psychophysical reactions:
- Physical discomforts (headaches, stomach aches, nausea, diarrhea, etc.);
- Fatigue and sleep problems (insomnia, nightmares, etc.);
- Muscle tension;
- Difficulty concentrating or memorizing information;
- Panic attacks;
- Etc.
Possible deeper consequences
In addition to these direct reactions, performance anxiety can lead to an exaggerated desire for perfection, leading the child to be too eager to prepare for an event (e.g., by over-studying or over-practicing). On the contrary, in some cases, anxiety can cause a propensity to avoid the situations that provoke it. Regardless of the reactions it triggers, anxiety can quickly become a barrier to learning and growth in the school environment and have a negative impact on self-esteem. Indeed, even students who have an initial ease with learning can come to experience difficulties and hate school. In addition, the tendency to avoid anxiety-provoking situations (evaluations, competitions, public performances) limits the development of new skills which, in turn, contribute to a sense of self-actualization.
Performance anxiety can be controlled
When your child suffers from performance anxiety, it is possible to help him or her better manage situations that could cause this state. To do so, you must first identify its manifestations and what causes them. This way, it will be easier to calm apprehensions and help the young person face these moments. It is also important to adopt a positive and encouraging attitude towards the child. In addition, a follow-up with a professional can be beneficial. For example, a social worker could help you develop and implement tools and strategies to control stress and anxiety. The professional can also offer support in learning how to manage the failures inherent in life.
If you believe that you and your child could benefit from such support, do not hesitate to contact us. A social worker from the team at Clinique GO™ will be able to use online consultation to evaluate the situation and propose an appropriate follow-up.
Approuvé par Francis Desjardins
