Clinical Anxiety/Panic

[koko2002]

hey guys,

i have been dealing with anxiety issues for many years but i've been able to avoid situations that cause them for the most part. years ago, i tried several different anti-anxiety drugs like paxil and sertraline but they either made me too tired to function normally or they didn't really help with my panic. so here i am, in my 3rd semester clinical, on a neuro unit and i have to do several graded performance tests with my instructor and i am a complete mess. my panic and anxiety really seem to hit me when i'm being observed by a clinical instructor during a skill performance test or if i have to give a presentation. i can't sleep at night because i'm worried about having to perform days or even weeks in advance. my confidence level is so low that i'm really afraid my instructor will think that i'm not competent and it's all my anxiety. i can practice at home doing a complete physical assessment and do everything just perfect. but if i'm being graded or observed by a nursing instructor i get so nervous with heart palpitations and shortness of breath that i almost can't even talk. and honestly, it's more embarrassing than anything.

has anyone ever experienced this type of over whelming anxiety/panic? any suggestions on how to get through it would be so appreciated.

[LolaVenice]

I hear ya!!! But if you made it to your 3rd semester, you're doing something right! I'm only in my 7th week or so and already panicking and feeling like I'm a failure even though my GPA is 88.9%! Good grief, I hope I can make it through this!!