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.

I have diagnosed generalized anxiety disorder as well as diagnosed test anxiety. Nursing school isn't doing my nerves well!!

I take prescribed medication, never cram for an exam, no studying the night before, get a good nights sleep, and breath!

I have accomodations that I could use when it comes to test taking . . . I can get extra time and test in a room alone. I haven't yet invoked those rights yet, but I will in a heart beat if I think I need them!

Oh, and therapy!! Therapy is such a great thing! Sometimes I go see my therapist and we talk about nothing but school, and my feelings about school, my stress and how I am holding up. I never feel better than I do when I've just left therapy!!

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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

Hi Kelly,

A quick question for you: Why do you mark a big X on the back of your test booklet?

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

Just something someone from here suggested. I have only done it once. It kind of made me feel good about taking the test. Made me feel like I wasn't going to let the test bother me. Kind of like a HA!!!!! I am going to beat you.

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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.

I am a 2nd year RPN student in Canada and should have graduated from my program last year, but because of performance anxiety during testing in Skills, I wasn't successful in passing 3rd semester. After being off for 8 months I am currently back in 3rd Semester skills, and have realized I'm still experiencing high levels of anxiety. I have no problem with written tests, it's the performance tests I get nervous about because I am performing them and being graded on my skills in front of a teacher, who also happens to be a nurse! I think it might be because I second guess myself and my skills. I know what I am doing, but when it comes time to do them in front of someone else (mind you I have no problem in my Clinical Rotation), I freak out. I am currently not on any medication. I'm a pretty confident person in life, so I'm stuck. Can't seem to figure out, what exactly is going on, and thinking if I'm not successful this time, maybe it just wasn't meant to be. Does anyone have any suggestions about performance anxiety and how to overcome it? Thanks.

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Shortly after I had my daughter I was diagnosed with Generalized Anxiety Disorder. I thought I had ppd. My anxiety has held me back semester after semester from going back to school I start to get anxious everytime registration rolls around, and for Spring 2009 that date is less than a month away. However, instead of letting my anxiety get the better of me again, I'm going to just do it... sort of a mind over matter thing.

I was perscribed medication, but never took it. It's really only this one thing (registration) that causes my anxiety to flare up. I start to think ahead and think of all the "what ifs" and go into a tailspin. So if I could just get beyond the registration and try not to think about it until classes start I think I'll be ok....

Just so you know, you are not alone..

Oh, and a counselor at my school said to me "you have an anxiety issue and you want to be a nurse?" Thanks for the vote of confidence!!

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Specializes in telemetry, ortho, med-surg.
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.

That is so true!! The info does get scrambled when you try to do that last minute cramming before the exam. That is great advice!:nurse:

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Specializes in Neuro.

I went and talked to my schools health and wellness center and they work together with my teachers to get me through day to day.

I have mild anxiety but I also have panic disorder with agoraphobia. It's a fun combo. I get out of the house but it isn't as simple as walking out of the door...it takes about 20 minutes of mentally preparing myself (but I'm usually 20 minutes early for class anyways).

Use every resource you can get your hands on. Counseling, medications, and peer support and all awesome.

Good luck!

Erin

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