University of Rochester

University Counseling Center (UCC)

The Anxious/Shy Student

Anxiety is a normal response to a perceived danger or threat to one's well-being. For some students, the cause of their anxiety will be clear; but for others, it is difficult to pinpoint the source of stress. Regardless of the cause, the resulting symptoms may include rapid heart palpitations; chest pain or discomfort; dizziness; sweating; trembling or shaking; and cold, clammy hands. The student may also complain of difficulty concentrating, obsessive thinking, feeling continually "on the edge," having difficulty making decisions, or being too fearful/unable to take action. In rarer cases, a student may experience a panic attack in which the physical symptoms occur so spontaneously and intensely that the student may fear s/he is dying. The following guidelines remain appropriate in most cases:

What You Can Do:

• Encourage the student to discuss his/her feelings and thoughts, as this alone often relieves a great deal of pressure.
• Provide reassurance without being unrealistic.
• Remain calm.
• Be clear and directive about expectations.
• Provide a safe and quiet environment until the symptoms subside.
• Be patient.

Don't:

• Minimize the perceived threat to which the student is reacting.
• Take responsibility for the student's emotional state.
• Overwhelm the student with information or ideas to "fix" his/her condition.
• Be judgmental / cynical.
• Get caught up and lost in their anxiety.
• Disregard the feelings.

Helping Distressed or Distressing Students

• Typical Student Concerns
• What You Should Know
• Symptoms of Distress
• Responding to Students
• Making a Referral
• Responding to Emergencies
• The Counseling Center
• Confidentiality
• Mandated Risk Assessment
• Other Campus Sources
• Classroom Climate/Prevention
• Responding After a Tragedy

Addendum:

• Grieving Student
• Anxious/Shy Student
• Student Who May Have an Eating Disorder
• Demanding Student
• Dependent/Passive Student
• Depressed Student
• Student in Poor Contact with Reality
• Student Suspected of Substance Abuse or Addiction
• The Victim of Stalking
• The Victim of an Abusive Dating Relationship
• The Victim of a Hate Incident
• The Victim of Hazing
• Student Who Has Been Sexually Harassed (Assaulted)
• Suicidal Student
• Suspicious Student
• Verbally Aggressive Student
• Violent Student
• Responding to Students with Transition Issues
• Responding to the Student with Choice of Major or Career Concerns
• Absent/Disappeared From Class Student

References/Credits

Complete word document:
Helping Distressed or Distressing Students