The key facts
- Psychologist Nadezhda Makhmutova linked the 'successful straight-A student' syndrome to emotional exhaustion in children
- Signs: fatigue, lethargy, sleep disturbances, complaints of feeling unwell before school
- Difference from laziness: with exhaustion, interest disappears even in favorite activities
The 'successful straight-A student' syndrome and its signs
If a child is focused only on studying and has lost interest in other activities, this may indicate the 'successful straight-A student' syndrome, which leads to emotional exhaustion. Child and clinical psychologist Nadezhda Makhmutova told RIAMO about this. According to her, such a child may study for praise, good grades, or a desire not to upset their parents, while their own interests take a back seat.
Difference from ordinary laziness
Makhmutova noted that with ordinary laziness, a child retains energy for favorite activities — meeting friends, playing, or creative pursuits. With exhaustion, however, interest may disappear even in things that previously brought pleasure. Among the possible signs, she named constant fatigue, lethargy, sleep disturbances, and frequent complaints of feeling unwell, especially before school.
Difficulty with one's own desires
According to the specialist, if a child has long been oriented only toward adults' expectations and grades, it may be difficult for them to understand their own preferences. When asked what they want or what they like, they sometimes answer that they don't know, or try to figure out what the correct answer would be. Earlier, the psychologist listed non-obvious signs of problems for a child at school.
