[FNPhopeful]

Are there anxiety meds that you can take on the spot, if you think your gonna panic? What do they do?

[firstyearstudent]

I've never been diagnosed either but I suspect I have it, too. One thing I've found helpful is to force myself to talk and smile at people. Just ask them how they are and you really won't have to talk that much, just listen. I also try to make as many jokes as I can. Sometimes I say something REALLY stupid and wrong and embarrassing because I'm so nervous I say the wrong word (I can really screw up a punchline, heh heh). For example, years ago a teacher asked if I could play a musical instrument and I meant to make the joke, "a kazoo," but I said "a bazooka" instead (which was actually funnier). I also forget people's names in anxious moments so I call everyone "babe" or "hey, you." I used to stutter like crazy but this is mostly under control. The other students think I'm nutty not shy and generally seem to like me.

Another thing I do is to just get up and leave abruptly when I'm really freaking out, take a short, brisk walk and come back.

[thrashej]

Originally Posted by wdwpixie

Interesting thread....I've been hating checkoffs as I hate that "I'm in the spotlight" feeling. I work with others wonderfully; got great communication marks in my last career, could run a meeting with the best of them; but there's just something about KNOWING someone's watching me try to pass a skill that has made me a basket case for the last 3 checkouts. I am dreading future ones. I, too, get flushed, sweaty, and during BP checkouts, my pressure was up to 150something/96!! Do ya' think I was stressing?!?!?

Good luck all!

YES!! I too can't stand that someone is watching me and I am being "judged". I get so nervous and actually DO make really stupid mistakes....like put the BP cuff on wrong. I seriously will stand there and fiddle with it and not even remember how to do it!!! Then I feel like suck a freakazoid that my BP, pulse, and respirs shoot up and I feel like I am going to faint. I feel like the nurses are looking at me like, "WOW this girl thinks she is going to be a nurse??" It just gets worse as I proceed in the blocks because it has become less and less acceptable to "not know". You can't really claim that in your third semester!!

I have noticed a bit of an improvement since I started on Zoloft too. I only take 50mg right now, which may not be enough, but I am a little bit more like I just don't care. I mean, I care, but now I am kinda like, "whatever!!"..we all make mistakes! I was doubting whether the med was really working at all but maybe it is just a bit. Either that or I am too sedated to care! (this med makes ya soooooo slllleeeeeeppppyyyyy, which is why I almost went off of it and still think about doing that..) I was less nervous in my first week of clinicals this week, so.....

Consider going on medication. The constant stress of nursing school takes its toll and your problem is not likely to get better on its own...atleast under this pressure. It's hard to do behavior modification when you are repeatedly stressed in the same way every week! I feel for ya!

Funny how the above poster mentions her Dad. I know our families just don't understand. You tell them about your experiences and they tell you "well, don't think about it too much, everyone is learning". I almost get mad and wish they could experience the stress of nursing school for just one day and see how it feels. YEAH PEOPLE ARE WATCHING YOU NOW!!!

[rds007]

Originally Posted by FNPhopeful

I took group discussion instead of public speaking for this very reason. But I am hoping with nursing school that I'll be forced into these situations and forced to overcome my anxiety. Because at this point we cant quit!
I used to take Wellbutrin but I dont really think it did anything. (Does Effexor work?)

FNPhopeful,
I have found that Effexor XR release works really well for me. Before I was always gasping for breath because it felt like I couldn't get enough air in my lungs (My pulse ox reading is great though). Between that and the general verge of panic that I felt throughout the day, I was exhausted every evening. I finally feel much calmer & like I can function normally. I have NO side effects from the Effexor XR (75mg). It took about 3 weeks to begin to work, but what a difference!
I also took Wellbutrin a few years ago (when my mother passed away) & I also felt that it really wasn't that helpful.


You also asked what a doctor prescribes if you are on the verge of a full-blown panic attack. I was also given a non-refillable script of Xanax, but haven't used any of that.I took 1/2 of one once & it made me soooooo tired- I slept for 14 hours!

Good luck to everybody!

Rachel

[mjb26]

Hi,
I have bad anxiety and a little bit of social phobia. I feel the same way about what everyone is saying. I hated getting checked off on skills and just anything that you have to do in front of people. It makes me feel SOO uncomfortable. I just went to the doc and got prescribed Zoloft and so far it is working great!! I never thought that it would really make my anxiety go away!!! Its weird without anxiety I really feel normal. I really suggest it!!! Well, whatever medication might work for you. Good Luck, don't give up!!! I know exactly how you feel.