Overview

Anxiety is a normal human emotion that everyone experiences at times. Many people feel anxious, or nervous when faced with a problem at work, before taking a test, or making an important decision. Many experiences in college can bring out strong feelings of anxiety in an individual. Anxiety, like many emotions, can become overwhelming and unhealthy if not managed properly. Feeling of anxiety can manifest themselves into anxiety disorders such as panic disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, social anxiety disorder, specific phobias, and generalized anxiety disorder.

What is a panic attack?

Panic attacks involve sudden feelings of terror that strike without warning. These episodes can occur at any time, even during sleep. A person experiencing a panic attack may believe that he or she is having a heart attack or that death is imminent. The fear and terror that a person experiences during a panic attack are not in proportion to the true situation and may be unrelated to what is happening around them. Most people with panic attacks experience several of the following symptoms:

• “Racing” heart
• Feeling weak, faint, or dizzy
• Tingling or numbness in the hands and fingers
• Sense of terror, or impending doom or death
• Feeling sweaty or having chills
• Chest pains
• Breathing difficulties
• Feeling a loss of control

 

Helping Those with Anxiety

It’s important to help residents understand that anxiety is a normal human emotion that shouldn’t be denied or ignored. Anxiety can often motivate us to do better like paying closer attention when writing an important paper or be more thoughtful when getting dressed before a big interview. However, strong or chronic feelings of anxiety need to be dealt with. Below are ways students can manage anxiety.

• Learn to Relax. Be intentional about relaxing your mind as well as your body. Both need rest in order to function properly. Take time for meditation or quite time each day. Have fun with friends. Release anxious energy by exercising. Take a study break and come back to your work refreshed.
• Challenge Negative Emotions. Ask yourself: Is this a productive thought? Is it helping me get closer to my goal? If it’s just a negative thought you’re rehashing, then you must be able to say to that thought: ‘Stop.’ That’s difficult to do, but it’s very important. The most important thing is to realize when you’ve done everything you can,  and that you need to move forward.
• Prevent Text Anxiety. Stop studying 12 hours before the test. Eat a meal, or snack, before taking test. Engage in something fun before taking a test. Go for a walk or exercise to release tension. Get some fresh air. Most importantly, clear your mind of any distracting or negative thoughts that you may have had about yourself as a test taker. Bring your thoughts back to the present, breathe and repeat positive, relaxing affirmations.