Intense test anxiety affects up to 20% of college students, and this time of year is the worst. Finals are approaching, projects and papers are due, and added pressure from mistakes earlier in the semester can push students over the edge. What’s the difference between appropriate “nerves” and serious test anxiety?
With a typical student, test day adrenaline might cause extra bathroom trips up until the test starts, a racing heart and anxious anticipation, but once she starts answering questions, the physical symptoms subside enough for the student to focus effectively.
The student with intense test anxiety, however, accelerates symptoms rather than settling down as the exam begins. Sweat pours down his neck and slicks his palms, his racing heart tries to leap out of his chest, meanwhile his lips and fingertips tingle and he feels short of breath (from hyperventilation) and his brain sputters or completely blanks out.
Is there anything that can be done at this point in the semester? YES! Both behavioral and medicinal options are available to reduce or eliminate test anxiety.
- Breathing exercises- Stop rolling your eyes…breathing exercises really do work, and since this is free and simple, start here. Take one full minute to focus on your breathing before you enter the testing room, and again just before you start the exam. Breathe in for a slow count of four and then breathe out for a slow count of ten. Repeat this sequence three or four times till you feel your body relaxing.
- Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)-either individual or group –is highly effective in treating social phobias such as test anxiety. This “talk therapy” helps people recognize how they are unconsciously MAGNIFYING and catastrophizing potential negative outcomes, which triggers the physical anxiety responses. “I’m going to fail and flunk out of school” becomes “I may not do great on this test, but I’ve done well on other assignments.”
- Will one CBT session be enough? Even one session helps people recognize harmful thought patterns and begin to reverse negative thinking.
- Can ALL students get appointments the last few weeks of the semester? Resources vary, so if you cannot get in this semester, start with online resources like AnxietyBC.
Medications:
- The most common prescription medication used is actually a blood pressure medication (a beta-blocker called metoprolol) that is used in low doses primarily for the side effect of slowing the heart rate and reducing tremors.
- Interestingly, when the physical sensations of racing heart and tremor are stopped, the brain “hears” that the body is not stressed, and frequently this is enough to lower the test anxiety down to an expected, manageable level. This type of medication is not addictive, and in my clinical experience, there are very few side effects. In fact, students often end up only using these pills for a handful of tests, at which point they have broken the negative test anxiety cycle and no longer need the medication.
- Other social phobias such as fear of flying may be medically managed with sedatives called benzodiazepines, such as alprazolam (brand name Xanax). Note that these medications are very addictive, often misused, and sedating, so they are NOT a good option for test anxiety.
Untreated test anxiety leads students to a swirling vortex of stomach pains, headaches, insomnia, fatigue, anxiety and depression. Then self-medication with too much caffeine leads to less sleep, more fatigue, more caffeine, more headaches, irritated stomach lining…and worsening test anxiety. BREAK THE CYCLE before you hit your final round of exams this semester!
BOTTOM LINE: Intense test anxiety is a common, real problem that can be dramatically improved with a few interventions. Schedule an appointment today and get help.