Germany: Experts address ‘back-to-school syndrome’ in students

As approximately 11.5 million students across Germany return to school, many children are experiencing physical and emotional symptoms often referred to as ‘back-to-school syndrome.’ While the term is commonly used, child and adolescent psychiatrist Gerd Schulte-Körne from LMU Klinikum München clarifies that it is not a formal medical diagnosis.

Symptoms associated with this transition include sleep disturbances, rapid heartbeat, sweaty hands, restlessness, and stomach or headaches. These reactions are typically temporary responses to the shift from the flexible routine of summer holidays back to the structured school environment. Schulte-Körne notes that while these physical manifestations of tension are common, they do not necessarily indicate a mental illness, as the anxiety often subsides once the child adjusts to the new routine.