It is common for people to experience day-to-day anxieties or stress, whether it be caused by an impending exam, important speech or piles of homework on the desk. Stress and anxiousness are a normal part of daily life, but when does it become too much?

When anxiety about daily life becomes more present than not, it can become something more serious. According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA), anxiety becomes a disorder when it interferes with daily activities. Over six million teens have been diagnosed with an anxiety disorder, as reported by the National Institute of Mental Health. Yet in many places, including schools, anxiety can be the least understood and talked about subject.

There are often extremely high expectations of high school students that contribute to this statistic. Nearly all of a students’ time and energy is being put towards schoolwork and grades, as well as extracurriculars. On top of that, there are relationships, hobbies, family obligations, social media, etc. that are involved in daily lives and can add to the pile of stress. Some may be able to manage this, but for others it can be extremely overwhelming and start to take a large toll on their mental health.

“I think school plays a part in teen anxiety because so much is expected of us and we are all expected to learn the same way, which isn’t how it works, but they often tell us that if we aren’t successful in school that we basically won’t be successful as adults,” sophomore Addison Gress said. “I would say almost all of my anxiety comes from school because we are required to do so much, spend our whole day at school and then do more work after school. It’s like a job that never ends.”

In a survey conducted by the American Psychology Association, it was discovered that 45 percent of students said they were stressed by pressures onset from school.

“School is what takes the most time and energy from teenagers, and both the social stressors and academic demands can be a lot for students to handle,” sophomore Sydney Ames said. “I think school-related anxiety in teenagers is more prevalent now because of the increase in pressure for students to make big decisions at an earlier age.”

Not only does school offer students the pressures of a hefty workload, but it also contributes to the self consciousness of social expectations.

“There’s so much pressure to be perfect and act perfect, so if you even remotely think you don’t fit the proper standards, then it puts you in a very self-conscious position, with the anxiety being caused by how others look at you and what they think of you,” sophomore Graci Molzen said. “School is where I am everyday, so it makes sense that most of my anxiety is caused by being in the same place and facing the same judgement every single day.”

There is also the factor of how teens handle their anxiety. While few teens do choose to get help, a large amount do not. According to the data from the ADAA, 80 percent of teens with diagnosable anxiety disorders are not receiving any type of treatment. There are many ways to do this, including talking with a therapist, counselor or even just a friend. Anxiety among teens is on the rise, and school may be a large part of that.