Perfection or Pressure? Recognizing Anxiety in High-Achieving Kids
Photo by Max Fischer
PHILADELPHIA, Penn.,— Balancing academics, athletics, and friendships can push even the most capable kids to their limits. For parents, the real challenge lies in recognizing when healthy ambition crosses the line into anxiety — when the drive to succeed begins to harm a child’s overall well-being.
Some signs are more subtle than others, says school counselor Jennifer Licate, so it’s important to recognize both the physical and behavioral clues. Frequent headaches, stomachaches, or digestive issues before a big game or test may point to anxiety — but less obvious signals, like withdrawing from activities they once loved, can be just as telling.
“You know your child best. You know their history. You know their disposition and the things they like to do. If your child has always loved going to soccer practice and suddenly doesn’t want to go, starts complaining about it — that’s a really big sign,” said Licate, whose chapter book My Anxiety is Messing Things Up centers on a hardworking student athlete named Oscar who feels the relentless pressure to be perfect — in school, in sports and in friendships.
Oscar’s drive to succeed earns him praise in the classroom and on the field — but also leaves him wracked with anxiety. Unable to sleep and increasingly irritable, Oscar lashes out at his friends. When a teacher invites him to a school support group, Oscar must decide if he’s willing to seek help and try new strategies for relief.
Licate expertly combines a fast-paced, relatable story with guided questions and activities at the end of each chapter. These tools help young readers explore their own feelings, while giving parents, teachers and counselors a structured way to start meaningful conversations about anxiety.
“I wrote the book to help children understand anxiety,” said Licate. “Not all symptoms look the same, and not all strategies will work for everyone. My hope is that kids learn there are multiple tools they can try to feel more confident and less overwhelmed.”
The release comes at a time when educators are reporting increased stress levels among students. According to recent studies, more than one in three children experience anxiety symptoms, and sleep disruption is one of the most common side effects. Licate, who has worked as a school counselor for more than a decade, believes early intervention and open discussion can help prevent anxiety from becoming debilitating later in life.
“Children do not need to wait until anxiety is debilitating before using strategies to help their symptoms,” Licate added. “Using strategies to deal with anxiety can help children and anyone reduce their symptoms so they can live their best lives, work toward achieving their goals and feel confident.”
My Anxiety is Messing Things Up
Publisher: Boys Town Press
ISBN-13: 978-1944882891 Available from https://www.amazon.com/
About the Author
Jennifer Licate’s award-winning books help teach children the strategies they need to navigate common challenges, from friendship struggles to anxiety to study skills. Some of her other notable titles include I Lost My BFF; Faking Happiness, Feeling Sadness; and He’s Not Just Teasing! Accompanying teacher and counselor activity guides are available for many of her books. Licate received her master’s degree in Elementary and Secondary School Counseling and has worked as a school counselor for over a decade.
For more information, please visit https://www.storiesbyjennifer.
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