school refusal


An anxiety disorder affecting school children who, for various reasons, avoid attending school; 1 in 4 children may occasionally refuse to attend school. Such behaviour becomes a routine problem in about 2% of children
Aetiology Separation anxiety, social anxiety, or depression, which may be accompanied by undiagnosed learning disabilities or reading disorders

school refusal

Psychiatry An anxiety disorder affecting schoolchildren who, for various reasons, avoid attending school. See Psychogenic seizure.

school phobia

, school refusalA child's avoidance of school, often through the simulation of physical ailments. It is considered to be a form of separation anxiety rather than truancy.