Text Anxiety questions (srs thread)

[UAAWolf]

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Hello everyone. I had some questions about test anxiety...

So I would say my test anxiety is moderate to bad. I can always pull through and perform extremely well under stress, but physiologically, things aren't so good. My BP spikes from like 120/70 to 165+ sys. HR is well over 100 for the first 15 mins of the test etc...mimics panic attack but I've learned to deal with it and still ace exams.

Currently I'm trying meditation and stuff...but my fam practice doc said I may want to try propanolol (non selective B blocker) before exams. He wrote me a script and said it helps a lot of med students, but I have not filled it, as I am scared of getting dependent on drugs. Anyone else in a similar boat? Or is everyone on SDN perfect?

 

[SB100]

I'm pretty sure propanolol is supposed to be taken as needed for performance anxiety, so I wouldn't be too worried about becoming dependent. Theoretically though, if you keep using it in those situations it will reinforce your psychological need for the medication at those particular stressful times (kind of like conditioned response). I'd definitely encourage mind/body therapies like meditation, CBT, hypnotism, etc. in conjunction with the propranolol.

 

[UAAWolf]

I'm pretty sure propanolol is supposed to be taken as needed for performance anxiety, so I wouldn't be too worried about becoming dependent. Theoretically though, if you keep using it in those situations it will reinforce your psychological need for the medication at those particular stressful times (kind of like conditioned response). I'd definitely encourage mind/body therapies like meditation, CBT, hypnotism, etc. in conjunction with the propranolol.

Yeah I am currently seeing a guy who helps me with meditation, visualization, etc. It helps a lot...but I haven't perfected it yet.

I can get just fine grades being stressed...but it's not good for my health mentally or physically

 

[MilkmanAl]

You're worried about getting hooked on a beta blocker? I doubt that's going to be much of an issue. Test (read: stressful situation) anxiety is something you have to take care of quickly. Med school is a seemingly endless series of sink-or-swim stress tests, and you are going to be intensely miserable if you flip **** every time something of that nature comes along. Medicine can certainly be part of the answer, but you need the other stuff you're working on, too. A little bit of self-confidence in addition to your meditation and/or meds would go a long way towards quelling your anxiety.

 

[Jorski]

I think the meditation and stuff you are doing is good. I dont know about you, but classmates jibber jabber about how they know this and dont know that before the test really freaks me out, so I hang with a group of people with the same understanding before the test. We talk about everything but school, and its pretty relaxing.

You'll develop coping skills as you go along. I wont ever forget how I felt during my first tests. It took me about a semester to get comfortable taking tests and feeling like I belonged. After that, it has gotten much easier (anxiety wise).

Hope that helps, and good luck.

 

[SB100]

I think the meditation and stuff you are doing is good. I dont know about you, but classmates jibber jabber about how they know this and dont know that before the test really freaks me out, so I hang with a group of people with the same understanding before the test. We talk about everything but school, and its pretty relaxing.

You'll develop coping skills as you go along. I wont ever forget how I felt during my first tests. It took me about a semester to get comfortable taking tests and feeling like I belonged. After that, it has gotten much easier (anxiety wise).

Hope that helps, and good luck.

Exactly, experience is a desensitizing process. You'll be put on the spot many, many times during med school, so you'll have to learn to get through it.

 

[ArcGurren]

I feel that a really good strategy is keeping your mouth shut and your ears shut before the test and not listening to people when you go in. Focus on yourself and on reviewing facts in your mind, not the blabbering of others. Afterwards feel free to let go but until then just focus inwards... sorry if that sounds really new-agey but it's the best way I can think of putting it.

 

[Mr hawkings]

I feel that a really good strategy is keeping your mouth shut and your ears shut before the test and not listening to people when you go in. Focus on yourself and on reviewing facts in your mind, not the blabbering of others. Afterwards feel free to let go but until then just focus inwards... sorry if that sounds really new-agey but it's the best way I can think of putting it.

👍
I walk up with my earbuds in and stand alone away from everyone. All my study buddies know i'll be ignoring them till the test is over. I speak to no on and i'm pretty much a dick on test day.