Warning Signs Checklist

• Frequent anxiety about going to school
• Panic or distress when discussing school attendance
• Excessive worry about academic performance or social situations
• Irritability or mood swings related to school days
• Feelings of sadness, hopelessness, or low motivation
• Increased emotional sensitivity or frustration
• Fear of embarrassment, failure, or judgment at school
• Withdrawal from activities previously enjoyed
• Expressions of feeling overwhelmed by school demands
• Low self-esteem or negative self-talk about abilities

• Frequent headaches, stomach aches, or nausea on school mornings
• Complaints of illness that improve when staying home
• Fatigue or low energy, especially before school
• Difficulty sleeping or disrupted sleep patterns
• Changes in appetite
• Physical tension, restlessness, or shaking when preparing for school
• Increased requests to go home
• Physical exhaustion after attending school
• Psychosomatic symptoms linked to school-related stress

• Frequent lateness or difficulty arriving at school on time
• Increased absences or requests to stay home
• Leaving school early or visiting the office frequently
• Avoidance of specific classes, teachers, or locations in school
• Inability to attend school or difficulty leaving home
• Declining participation in school activities
• Increased emotional outbursts before school
• Resistance to discussing school topics
• Procrastination or avoidance of homework and assignments
• Increased reliance on parents to stay home or leave school

• Withdrawal from friends or peer groups
• Avoidance of social interactions at school
• Difficulty forming or maintaining friendships
• Reports of bullying or peer conflict
• Feeling excluded or isolated from peers
• Reluctance to participate in group activities
• Lack of sense of belonging at school
• Increased time spent alone during school breaks or lunch
• Conflict with peers or social anxiety in school settings

• Difficulty concentrating in class
• Trouble remembering instructions or completing tasks
• Negative thoughts about school ("I can't do this," "I'm going to fail")
• Catastrophic thinking about school situations
• Persistent worry about academic expectations
• Feeling overwhelmed by assignments or workload
• Difficulty making decisions related to school tasks
• Decreased motivation toward schoolwork
• Declining academic performance or incomplete assignments
• Mental "shut down" when facing school demands

• Increasing pattern of absences
• Chronic lateness or missed classes
• Partial attendance or frequent early departures
• Avoidance of certain days (tests, presentations, specific classes)
• Gradual disengagement from school routines

Students may say things such as:

• "School makes me feel really anxious."
• "I feel overwhelmed when I think about going to school."
• "I don't feel like I belong there."
• "I'm worried about what other people think of me."
• "I feel behind and don't know how to catch up."
• "Sometimes it feels impossible to go."