Get your health question answered instantly from our pool of 18000+ doctors from over 80 specialties
128 Doctors Online

By proceeding, I accept the Terms and Conditions

Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

HCM Blog Instant Access to Doctors
HCM BlogQuestions Answered
HCM Blog Satisfaction

Having Anxiety. Treatment To Overcome From Anxiety?

Hello, I have really bad test anxiety and these really big MCA tests are coming up in school next week. I have to try to overcome this anxiety so I can test peacefully with other students. If I can t, I have to get a doctor s note or the doctor has to email my science teacher to know I have talked to a doctor about this. Can anyone help me overcome this and if not, talk to my teacher? Thank you.
posted on Sun, 13 May 2012
Twitter Mon, 2 Jul 2012 Answered on
Twitter Sun, 31 Mar 2013 Last reviewed on
Report Abuse
Psychiatrist,  's  Response
The quickest solution to test-taking anxiety is to take a medication right before your test that will calm you without sedating you excessively or making you forget what you've studied to pass your test. This disorder is called Social Anxiety Disorder (formerly called Social Phobia). If it truly occurs only as performance anxiety prior to tests/exams, then a medication like a benzodiazepine such as alprazolam or lorazepam may be your best bet at low dose of course. Alternatively a beta-blocker (used for high blood pressure and heart disease, but quite effective for spot anxiety) may be helpful too, such as propranolol, also taken at low dose. I hope this helps you. Consult your primary care doctor or a psychiatrist to get help with this debilitating problem. Best of health to you!
I find this answer helpful
Psychiatrist,  Dr. Sundar Gnanavel's  Response
Hello.........
Thanks for your query. What you describe is referred to as " performance anxiety" in psychiatric parlance. You can consider a low dosage benzodiazepine like clonazepam or low dose beta blocker like propranalol half an hour to one hour prior to the test. Breathing relaxation exercises are also helpful.
You can take the help of a clinical psychologist to learn stress management strategies that would benefit you in the long run. Wish you good health.
Regards
Dr Sundar
Psychiatrist
I find this answer helpful

3 Doctors agree with this answer

Disclaimer: These answers are for your information only and not intended to replace your relationship with your treating physician.
This is a short, free answer. For a more detailed, immediate answer, try our premium service [Sample answer]
Share on
 

Recent questions on Panic attack


Loading Online Doctors....
Having Anxiety. Treatment To Overcome From Anxiety?

The quickest solution to test-taking anxiety is to take a medication right before your test that will calm you without sedating you excessively or making you forget what you ve studied to pass your test. This disorder is called Social Anxiety Disorder (formerly called Social Phobia). If it truly occurs only as performance anxiety prior to tests/exams, then a medication like a benzodiazepine such as alprazolam or lorazepam may be your best bet at low dose of course. Alternatively a beta-blocker (used for high blood pressure and heart disease, but quite effective for spot anxiety) may be helpful too, such as propranolol, also taken at low dose. I hope this helps you. Consult your primary care doctor or a psychiatrist to get help with this debilitating problem. Best of health to you!