Episode notes
If your teen says “I have anxiety” before every test, presentation, or big moment… this episode will change how you understand what’s actually happening.
Licensed clinical social worker Nick Thompson joins us to unpack the truth about anxiety, performance pressure, and why students shut down under stress. With over 15 years of experience working with adolescents and families in schools, private practice, residential treatment settings, and early intervention programs, Nick specializes in helping teens navigate anxiety, identity, and academic overwhelm without shame.
In this conversation, we break down the difference between anxiety and worry, why the brain mistakes discomfort for danger, how stress impacts focus and decision-making, and the connection between ADHD, creativity, and spiraling thoughts. Nick also shares practical tools students can use before tests or presentations, including grounding techniques, breathwork, and how to work with anxiety instead of fighting it.
If you’re a parent, educator, or student trying to make sense of performance anxiety and shutdowns, this conversation brings clarity, science, and real strategies you can use right away.
Learn more about Nick's work here: https://www.nicholasdthompson.com/
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