Narrative Research of a Counselor's Lived Experiences: A Study of Anxiety Disorders in High School Students

The purpose of this study was to analyze the narratives of a high school counselor, to investigate the causes of anxiety and its symptoms among high school pupils, and to propose suitable solutions for this field. The research was conducted using a qualitative approach and the method of narrative research. In the present narrative study, the data source is a 42-year-old female participant who has served as a consultant for two girls’ high schools in Bostanabad, East Azerbaijan Province, for the past 17 years. Narrative interview, semi-structured interview, field observation (attending some counseling sessions), and taking notes were used to collect data. Using thematic analysis, the narratives were analyzed. Age, education, and family circumstances were found to be the causes of anxiety in adolescent students. The analysis of student narratives revealed that the symptoms of this disorder manifest in four ways: physical, emotional, behavioral, and cognitive. Adjusting sleep patterns, physical activity, and diet, parental support, focusing on the positive, engaging in enjoyable activities, and talking to an anxious student are all strategies for reducing anxiety in students. The anxiety of adolescent students may not be entirely avoidable, but it can be mitigated by addressing some of their educational and domestic issues. The analysis and interpretation of this narrative have addressed a number of counseling-related obstacles. A review of the country’s educational system, particularly the school evaluation system, as well as the hiring of expert counselors in schools and placing a premium on these educational forces, as well as holding training courses for parents of children with anxiety disorders, will be crucial in reducing student anxiety, according to the research findings.