Anxiety is a feeling of worry, fear, or apprehension that is often caused by external, uncontrollable factors and occurs when dealing with challenging situations. It manifests through psychological symptoms like worrying or intrusive thoughts as well as physical symptoms like dry mouth, nausea, or sleep disturbances. Both parents and students can experience anxiety when a student is leaving home due to increased concerns about the unknown. Coping mechanisms include progressive muscle relaxation and cognitive behavioral programming to identify and break negative thought patterns. Students leaving home and their families can find support through their institution's student services department or from advisors who specialize in student welfare.

1. DEALING WITH ANXIETY OF
LEAVING HOME
James King

2. ANXIETY – WHAT IS IT?
 Anxiety is a the term for the state of being
worried, terrified, fearful and or apprehensive.]
 Often caused by external (uncontrollable) factors
 Normally feelings manifest themselves when
dealing with something challenging

3. HOW DOES IS MANIFEST IT’S SELF
 Subjective symptoms
 Typaclly characterised as “psychological
symptoms”
 Breathlessness
 Worrying
 Intrusive thought processes

4. HOW DOES IS MANIFEST IT’S SELF
CONT’D
 Somatic Symptoms
 Typically characterised as psychical effects
 Dry mouth
 Nausea
 Vertigo
 RLS (Restless Leg Syndrome)
 Sleeping patterns disturbed

5. PARENTS AND STUDENTS ALIKE
 Anyone can be affected
 Common for parents and students leaving home
to be effected
 Increased thoughts and concerns of the unknown
lead to anxiety in both cases

6. COPING MECHANISMS
 Progressive Muscle Relaxation
 Recognised in 1920’s by Physician, Edmund
Jackobson
 Concentrates on 16 muscle groups
 Alleviates tension

7. COGNITIVE BEHAVIOURAL
PROGRAMMING
By identifying the negative thought process it is easier
to break the chain of negative events

8. SUPPORT AND GUIDANCE
 A student leaving home can be a daunting
prospect for family members and the individual,
but help is at hand.
 Contact institution, such as university or college
“student services” department
 James king, writer and author of this article is a
student welfare advisor and specialises within
London Student Accommodation.