How to defuse PANIC

IN A competitive world, you may believe top marks are essential for your teen’s life chances.

However, reminding your child of this will only make them anxious. Brain scans show that the brain’s fear centres are activated when people are told they are competing against lots of others. Tell your child the only person they should try to out-perform is themselves.

Be aware of your anxiety, which can be contagious, and try to take tears and tantrums in your stride.

Former head teacher Helen Wright says: ‘If you don’t keep calm, how can yo u expect it of your teen?

‘Absorb any aggravation and keep your worries under control.’ Teens tend to think their life will be over if they don’t get the grades they want.

If they are panicking, help them break subjects down into chunks — and show what a difference one session can make.

Dr Wright says your role is to reassure them: ‘They should do their best, but you love them and are proud of them, and they can find a way to what they want in life.’