Anyone with Anxiety issues

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I'm a senior with a sky rocketed anxiety level. I've been on for the past 6 months Cymbalta but doesn't seem to be doing anything for me. I think my anxiety increased bc I failed my first exam for the semester which as of my last test I am passing the course. I've never been below a B avg and now that I'm a C avg. it's killing me. I've been breaking down and crying after the past three tests due to my anxiety. Being a nurse all my life is what I've always dreamed about. Deciding to go back to school with two kids was very difficult, but I did it and I'm a senior now. My husband said to me " if I cry it will only show your peers and professors how weak you you are" could that be possible? Because of my anxiety related to a test does that show them I'm weak. I perform great clinically but when it comes to paper I second guess myself.

Is anyone going through the same thing I am or do you have any suggestions.

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I used to have test anxiety and some things I found that help me out... Is to make sure I read all the texts and put the time in. If I don't know one thing it would make me instantly forget everything else I know.

Another thing I do that helped was showing up minutes before the test. I found everyone else freaking out and throwing last minute Na levels or care of pt with this.. Increased my anxiety 10x.

I also picked up some Nclex books. I'd read/skim chapters then go to the Nclex books I know the profs in my program pick very similiar questions.

You could also talk to the school they and explain u have a disability maybe taking the test outside the class would help.

Why do you think your anxious? What's increasing your fears?

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I used to have test anxiety and some things I found that help me out... Is to make sure I read all the texts and put the time in. If I don't know one thing it would make me instantly forget everything else I know.

Another thing I do that helped was showing up minutes before the test. I found everyone else freaking out and throwing last minute Na levels or care of pt with this.. Increased my anxiety 10x.

I also picked up some Nclex books. I'd read/skim chapters then go to the Nclex books I know the profs in my program pick very similiar questions.

You could also talk to the school they and explain u have a disability maybe taking the test outside the class would help.

Why do you think your anxious? What's increasing your fears?

It's so true what say...and I appreciate that you responded to my post. I'm not sure what it is that is increasing anxiety. Though what your said before about arriving to class a few minutes before the does does increase my anxiety level and all the students freaking out and asking questions did increase my anxiety. I feel as if I'm my worst enemy. I second guess my self knowing that I know the correct answer on the test and I just want to kick myself. :banghead:

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Something that helps me on tests is when I do show up for the test, I do my darndest to block out the panicky students and stay away from those who are doing the last minute cram thing. I discovered that I am much more relaxed if I STOP studying at least 24 hours before the test. I also can recall the information much better when I follow that rule. If I study the night before or minutes before, then the information becomes scrambled. Being around people who are in a panick will give me the same mindset.

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Specializes in HH, Med/surg- liver & kidney transplant, ortho, ++.

I too suffer from anxiety. I have been on medication to control it. I sometimes forget but lately I haven't been because I know if I forget I will be in trouble. I also take xanax as needed for anxiety attacks. I have had anxiety attacks where I hyperventilate, not because of a test though, thank god for that.

Xanax has been a life saver for me. Not saying that it is the best for you. I take a half just a little before the test and it calms we way down. I am able to totally function too.

One thing, you may want to talk to you doctor about changing your medication. Another, check to see if your college has free counseling. I know mine does. I haven't utilized it yet but I am glad that it is available if I need it.

This is my 3rd week into my first year of nursing school. I have had 2 tests and did great on both of them. The lattest one was yesterday. I studied all day on Saturday and had a bit of a melt down. Started crying, felt like I was going go fail out of school, didn't think I had the smarts to pass, etc, etc. My husband totally talked me down, I had a glass of wine and went to bed.

Sunday I looked at my notes but didn't spend much time dwelling over the test and looking over notes. I was as calm as I could be. My anxiety levels can get pretty high.

Like the previous poster mentioned, maybe spending the last 24 hours before the test doing something else other than studying might be good for you. I know it was for me. I was totally calm until the few minutes before the test started.

I carpool with a few other girls from class, the day of the test I drove by myself. I didn't want anyone talking to me about what was going to be on the test and what not. I just spent the time thinking positively and trying to stay calm.

Another good tip the previous poster mentioned was getting to class a few minutes before the test starts. Thats what I did too. I just didnt want to be around other students who are anxious. I just tend to feed off of them and it makes it worse for me.

Another tip someone gave me was to take the test booklet, turn it over and mark a big X on the back. I did that. It helped a little. I also started with the last question and worked my way up. Totally took my time on the test too. If I rush I do worse.

I took my test with no problems yesterday. I know it is my first lecture exam but I felt pretty good during the test and all day after the test. A few hours ago I found out I got a 90.9%, 91 is an A. Super close. We get 70% of that score and 30% of our group score (after we take the test we take it again in small groups). So my grade might bump up to an A depending on the group score.

Sorry that this is a bit of a novel. I suffer from anxiety and I can let it get the best of me at times. Best way to deal with it is to recognize it and get control over it. I have been feeling really well lately, thats because I have been recognizing when I feel panicked.

You are welcome to private message me any time. I know for me, it helps to talk to someone who has similar issues. They tend to know a little bit of what you are going through. Remember to breath and take it one hour at a time.

Good luck.

Kelly

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For some of us, crying is a stress relief and nothing more than that. So if you start crying, don't be ashamed! Let's say you're in the instructor's office and suddenly you feel yourself wanting to cry. Act it's like a runny nose or a sneezing fit... calmly excuse yourself to the restroom (or wherever), let it out, splash cold water on your face, come back to whoever you were talking with, and get on with it. I cry easily but sometimes I find if I give myself the okay to cry, the tears actually stop flowing! Another approach is if your voice is shaky or your eyes well up, instead of immediately turning all energies on avoiding crying or imaging how embarrasing it is, you can calmly assure your instructor that you are okay and if she/he doesn't mind, to please ignore your shaking or tears. Again, for myself, the feelings often calm down pretty quickly if I don't try to suppress them. If you feel too shaky or anxious to continue the conversation, you can calmly apologize that you'll need to continue the conversation another time and come back when you're feeling better. I know I tend to pressure myself to always be in control. Part of being in control is working with the situation at hand, and removing oneself from the situation sometimes is a perfectly respectable and responsible decision. After a few times of doing that, then it's not as scary to approach anxiety-provoking situations because I know that I have options... that it's not a matter of either knuckling through it without a single break in a tough fascade or breaking down completely and having no means of redemption. I haven't mastered it yet either, but there are many of us soft-skins out there who somehow manage to make it in the world even with our anxiety and tendency to cry more easily than some others.

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I too suffer from anxiety. I have been on medication to control it. I sometimes forget but lately I haven't been because I know if I forget I will be in trouble. I also take xanax as needed for anxiety attacks. I have had anxiety attacks where I hyperventilate, not because of a test though, thank god for that.

Xanax has been a life saver for me. Not saying that it is the best for you. I take a half just a little before the test and it calms we way down. I am able to totally function too.

One thing, you may want to talk to you doctor about changing your medication. Another, check to see if your college has free counseling. I know mine does. I haven't utilized it yet but I am glad that it is available if I need it.

This is my 3rd week into my first year of nursing school. I have had 2 tests and did great on both of them. The lattest one was yesterday. I studied all day on Saturday and had a bit of a melt down. Started crying, felt like I was going go fail out of school, didn't think I had the smarts to pass, etc, etc. My husband totally talked me down, I had a glass of wine and went to bed.

Sunday I looked at my notes but didn't spend much time dwelling over the test and looking over notes. I was as calm as I could be. My anxiety levels can get pretty high.

Like the previous poster mentioned, maybe spending the last 24 hours before the test doing something else other than studying might be good for you. I know it was for me. I was totally calm until the few minutes before the test started.

I carpool with a few other girls from class, the day of the test I drove by myself. I didn't want anyone talking to me about what was going to be on the test and what not. I just spent the time thinking positively and trying to stay calm.

Another good tip the previous poster mentioned was getting to class a few minutes before the test starts. Thats what I did too. I just didnt want to be around other students who are anxious. I just tend to feed off of them and it makes it worse for me.

Another tip someone gave me was to take the test booklet, turn it over and mark a big X on the back. I did that. It helped a little. I also started with the last question and worked my way up. Totally took my time on the test too. If I rush I do worse.

I took my test with no problems yesterday. I know it is my first lecture exam but I felt pretty good during the test and all day after the test. A few hours ago I found out I got a 90.9%, 91 is an A. Super close. We get 70% of that score and 30% of our group score (after we take the test we take it again in small groups). So my grade might bump up to an A depending on the group score.

Sorry that this is a bit of a novel. I suffer from anxiety and I can let it get the best of me at times. Best way to deal with it is to recognize it and get control over it. I have been feeling really well lately, thats because I have been recognizing when I feel panicked.

You are welcome to private message me any time. I know for me, it helps to talk to someone who has similar issues. They tend to know a little bit of what you are going through. Remember to breath and take it one hour at a time.

Good luck.

Kelly

For some of us, crying is a stress relief and nothing more than that. So if you start crying, don't be ashamed! Let's say you're in the instructor's office and suddenly you feel yourself wanting to cry. Act it's like a runny nose or a sneezing fit... calmly excuse yourself to the restroom (or wherever), let it out, splash cold water on your face, come back to whoever you were talking with, and get on with it. I cry easily but sometimes I find if I give myself the okay to cry, the tears actually stop flowing! Another approach is if your voice is shaky or your eyes well up, instead of immediately turning all energies on avoiding crying or imaging how embarrasing it is, you can calmly assure your instructor that you are okay and if she/he doesn't mind, to please ignore your shaking or tears. Again, for myself, the feelings often calm down pretty quickly if I don't try to suppress them. If you feel too shaky or anxious to continue the conversation, you can calmly apologize that you'll need to continue the conversation another time and come back when you're feeling better. I know I tend to pressure myself to always be in control. Part of being in control is working with the situation at hand, and removing oneself from the situation sometimes is a perfectly respectable and responsible decision. After a few times of doing that, then it's not as scary to approach anxiety-provoking situations because I know that I have options... that it's not a matter of either knuckling through it without a single break in a tough fascade or breaking down completely and having no means of redemption. I haven't mastered it yet either, but there are many of us soft-skins out there who somehow manage to make it in the world even with our anxiety and tendency to cry more easily than some others.

Something that helps me on tests is when I do show up for the test, I do my darndest to block out the panicky students and stay away from those who are doing the last minute cram thing. I discovered that I am much more relaxed if I STOP studying at least 24 hours before the test. I also can recall the information much better when I follow that rule. If I study the night before or minutes before, then the information becomes scrambled. Being around people who are in a panick will give me the same mindset.

Thank you all for your post. I truly felt as If I was alone out here with theses panic attacks. All your suggestions are great and I will put them to great use. Especially not studying the night before sometimes I tend to over do it and continue studying with 15 minute breaks in between and I guess that's harming me. I truly feel much better and appreciate your help.

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Hello,

As a nursing student you know there are all sorts of reasons for anxiety... and this is probably a bit isolated, but I experienced anxiety enough that it interfered with my life.

And then I limited myself to ONE cup of coffee a day (and had caffeine at no other time - no soda, caf. tea, etc.)

Let me tell you, my anxiety issues went nearly completely away.

You describe anxiety on a slightly more severe level than I had - but I know when you're studying it's so easy to pound coffee, soda, tea, etc. - hope this advice helps someone out there!

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Specializes in Psychiatry.
Hello,

And then I limited myself to ONE cup of coffee a day (and had caffeine at no other time - no soda, caf. tea, etc.)

Let me tell you, my anxiety issues went nearly completely away.

Ditto! Caffeine does NOTHING to calm one's nerves. I limit myself to ONE caffeinated beverage a day and don't stay up late cramming, either.

Has worked so far, I graduate in April :)

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Have you tried to contact your school's student disability center? My mom was diagnosed with anxiety, so she got a doctor's note and was able to take her tests in a separate room with unlimited time. It really helped to decrease her anxiety when it came to test taking. They also can do this when it comes time to take your NCLEX if need be.

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Specializes in Critical Care.

I myself have anxiety.

I have been struggling the last 7 weeks with lack of hunger because of it. When I get anxious I mask it with enthusiasm.

My Dr has given me a script for beta blockers but I am afraid to use them. My HR is normally 62 and I am afraid of what would happen if I took them!

I am really trying to get it under control without medication but I still have times in clinical where my instructor will make me anxious. I have found that meditation and relaxation techniques help quite a bit. However I am still waiting for my appetite to come back! I have lost almost 10lbs now!

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Specializes in 2 years as CNA.

Everyone has given excellent responses. I too suffer from anxiety and I already have anxiety about suffering from anxiety when I start NS!!! LOL

I also think the title of the thread should be Anyone WITHOUT Anxiety issues?

Hang in there and breathe.:icon_hug:

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