Studying anxiety, I need some help.

[titankore]

I have had this problem for years, but since I usually paid really close attention in class it has not been an issue until recently. I get a huge wave of anxiety whenever I try and bring myself to study, sometimes to the point of a panic attack. This feeling has even spread over to homework and test taking in the classes I am now falling behind in.

I really don't know how to handle it, it doesn't matter how relaxed I am before attempting to study, it always creeps up to the point I can barely pick up the book. I love to learn and will regularly pick up books on all kinds of subjects for fun and read wiki after wiki of random things, but if I am taking a class on it then I suddenly lock up.


Please any advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

[titankore]

Does anyone else have this kind of problem?

I tried looking it up on google and not many results came up.

BTW the symptoms include

My chest feeling like it's being squeezed
Heart racing
Throat swells to the point it kind of hurts to breath
And my brain slows to a crawl

 

[Fappy]

You should see a doctor about that. If you are suffering that kind of anxiety every single time you try to study you may need professional help.

 

[Jarsh82]

Is this only with studying or do you get panic attacks with other things as well?

 

[titankore]

Snip

I was hoping I wouldn't need to see the doctor, but I guess there is little other choice. I am more than a bit worried that there is something seriously wrong with me.

 

[Eclipse Dragon]

Yes, you should really see a doctor.
It becomes a problem when it interferes with your daily life, which it obviously is.

 

[Fappy]

Snip

I was hoping I wouldn't need to see the doctor, but I guess there is little other choice. I am more than a bit worried that there is something seriously wrong with me.

It may not be all that serious, but I'm not a doctor so I couldn't say for sure. Worst case scenario you probably just take anxiety medication daily.

 

[titankore]

Is this only with studying or do you get panic attacks with other things as well?

Ummm, well I get it in some social situations too, mostly those that involve lots of family members or strangers.

I can usually relieve the anxiety in social settings by acting silly or making jokes, but I don't know if I can do that with studying by myself.

 

[titankore]

@Fappy:

I'm going to go ahead and schedule a doctor's appointment, hopefully they can see me before midterms and get this taken care of.

 

[Jarsh82]

Anxiety meds can be taken PRN as well. Therapy might be an option as well. If you set up a doctors visit they can refer you. In the short term you could try studying with a friend to see if that helps.

 

[Jarsh82]

Working in the mental health field, I have successfully coached people out of minor panic attacks so it is possible for some people to control without medication. Nothing to be ashamed of with a doctors visit so if it really is that severe you should go.

 

[titankore]

@Jarsh82:

I will and thank you.
I am trying to become an elementary school science teacher so I am just worried that if I get diagnosed with something bad, schools would be less likely to hire me.

 

[titankore]

Thank you all for being understanding. I still feel nervous about seeing the doctor but I went ahead and called to schedule an appointment, hopefully I'll get this fixed.

For now I am going to chill and relax outside before heading to school.

 

[BloatedGuppy]

Thank you all for being understanding. I still feel nervous about seeing the doctor but I went ahead and called to schedule an appointment, hopefully I'll get this fixed.

For now I am going to chill and relax outside before heading to school.

You are having panic attacks, and what sounds like a fairly standard generalized anxiety disorder. My girlfriend suffers from an anxiety disorder, as does her father (god bless genetic inheritance). His is quite severe, and significantly life limiting.

While I think it's appropriate that you're seeking medical advice, as anxiety in general and panic attacks in particular can be quite unnerving and unpleasant, it's really important that you educate yourself THOROUGHLY on any medication they recommend to you. Especially benzodiazepines, which a lot of doctors like to prescribe to treat anxiety. They're extremely addictive, and suffer from diminishing effects, and one of the blowback withdrawl symptoms is...bum da da dum...more fucking anxiety.

Probably the best thing you can do for yourself is try and learn some calming techniques. There are breathing exercises and affirmations you can use to interrupt that downward spiral where your anxiety starts to stack up and feed into itself. Yoga is also good, and any form of regular exercise will help as well. Avoid caffeine.

 

[Squilookle]

I sometimes get a bit of that, though not as severe.

Best advice I can give is the first 15 minutes of study is usually the worst. Once you get past those first 15 minutes though, it usually gets a lot, LOT better, because you settle down into your rhythm.

So when I need to study but really, really don't want to, I just think to myself 'just stick it out for the first 20 minutes.' By the time I reach that, my apprehension has usually melted away.

 

[Shaved Apple]

Ask yourself what's the worst that could happen. Also you could try medication.

 

[titankore]

Okay, I have an appointment for next week, and I am compiling a list of medications I definitely don't want to take.

Thanks for your guy's help, the exercises that you mentioned at least make it okay enough to get some work done although definately not comfortably.

My family definitely does not appreciate how tense I get when I do it though, they aren't used to seeing me get snippy and yell like that.

 

[RaphaelsRedemption]

Best of luck, it sounds like a classic panic attack (speaking as someone with a clinically diagnosed panic disorder, your experiences sound very similar to mine). These things are best treated with relaxation and cognitive behaviour therapy (which a counsellor will be able to teach you). A good doctor will refer you to a counsellor/psychiatrist rather than put you on medication, and at least in my country, it is common for medications to only be used for short-term control of symptoms, not as a long-term solution.

As for your fears of anxiety interfering with your plans for employment - don't worry! Anxiety is very treatable, and with the right attitude, it shouldn't affect your career at all. You may have to work a little to get control, but it's not a game-ending condition.

Hope that helps - good luck!

 

[KerryBamBerry]

From my experience they will usually try to perscribe you antidepressants. Don't allow that. I suggest either beta blockers which stop me when i feel like im going to have a panic attack OR cognitive behaviour therapy..which ive yet to try.

Hope it all gets better soon x