Wellbeing News

Supporting high-achieving teens

High-achieving teenagers sometimes experience a form of anxiety referred to as "high-functioning anxiety". Externally, they may appear confident, successful, and put-together. Internally, they may be fueled by an intense fear of failure, perfectionism, and self-doubt, which can eventually lead to chronic stress and burnout.

The Signs to Look For:

Because such students don't exhibit typical behaviors like skipping class or acting out, their anxiety can be invisible to teachers and parents. Some indicators of high functioning anxiety include:

• The Overachievement Trap: Studying harder than necessary or over-preparing to compensate for feelings of incompetence.
• Physical Symptoms: Insomnia, chronic fatigue, headaches, or nervous tics (like nail-biting or leg bouncing).
• Difficulty Relaxing: An inability to sit in silence or enjoy their accomplishments, constantly moving on to the next "goal".
• People-Pleasing: Difficulty saying "no" or expressing negative emotions to avoid disappointing others.

Why It Happens:

High-achieving teens often link their self-worth directly to academic and extracurricular performance. Constantly striving for flawless marks or high ATAR scores can trigger intense anxiety, particularly when high expectations are self-imposed or driven by cultural (family and school) pressures

How to Support Them:

• Separate Self-Worth from Grades: Praise their effort, resilience, and problem-solving skills rather than test scores. 
• Focus on the Basics: Ensure they are getting 8-10 hours of sleep. Encourage healthy boundaries around homework, social media, and downtime. 
• Normalize Imperfection: Share your own past mistakes or struggles to remind them that failure is a normal, temporary stepping stone rather than a catastrophe.

• Avoid comparisons to others.

   

If anxiety is causing significant distress, impacting health, or leading to complete emotional withdrawal, professional support can make a major difference. 

John Monash Science School has two experienced counselors - George Vlamakis and Angelique Vardis, whom students and parents can discuss these concerns with.

GP’s can build a Mental Health Treatment Plan, which heavily subsidizes sessions with a psychologist.

Wellbeing can be contacted at JMSS on george.vlamakis@jmss.vic.edu.au

~ George Vlamakis (Head of Wellbeing)

george.vlamakis@jmss.vic.edu.au