School Phobia on the Rise Among Luxembourg’s Youth

Hospitals in Luxembourg are seeing an increase in young people suffering from school phobia, a condition marked by severe anxiety symptoms and a reluctance to attend school.

Though no official figures exist on the exact number of children affected, experts warn the problem is widespread and often hidden. Panic attacks, stomach aches, headaches, tremors, and difficulty breathing are among the most common symptoms.

Anxiety at the heart of the problem
According to Dr. Ghazi Dali, child psychiatrist and head of the 0–13-year-old inpatient unit at the Centre Hospitalier de Luxembourg (CHL), school refusal can stem from multiple causes: family problems, bullying, social difficulties, fear of failure, or performance anxiety.
Data from the Ministry of Education in 2024 showed that 30% of the 481 students monitored by the Psychosocial and School Support Center (CePAS) struggled with anxiety disorders, with pre-teens particularly affected.

Demand surges at school reopening
“With the start of the school year, demand for appointments is exploding,” said Dr. Dali. The CHL has eight regular beds for children with school phobia; six were already full last week. Before hospitalization becomes necessary, treatment often begins with therapy, and in some cases, medication.
Many children arrive via the emergency room, where severe anxiety leaves them unable to cope with classes.

Education inside the hospital
For children requiring longer stays, the CHL runs morning lessons at its Kannerklinik school from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. These sessions help maintain academic rhythm while also allowing specialists to detect potential learning difficulties.
Hospitalization can last days or months, but the ultimate goal is a gradual return to regular schooling. Dr. Dali stressed the need for more resources to support this transition, such as dedicated staff to accompany children between school and hospital.
“School phobia has always existed—it appears wherever there is school,” he said, while calling for better structures to ensure young patients can reintegrate smoothly and regain confidence.

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