| Many people get the jitters before taking a test. | | | | hiding these fears and anxieties from others. |
| This is normal. For others, these jitters can | | | | 5. You may consider yourself a |
| exceed normal nerves and become a devastating | | | | “perfectionist” or someone who |
| experience in test taking situations. Test anxiety, | | | | doesn’t like to make mistakes. |
| sometimes called performance anxiety, can be a | | | | 6. You “go blank” (or fear you will) |
| significant problem. People who suffer from it | | | | while taking exams |
| often experience dreadful physical discomfort, | | | | 7. You feel paralyzed and helpless in testing |
| difficulty concentrating and focusing, mental | | | | situations |
| paralysis, shame and embarrassment, out of | | | | Test anxiety is a solvable problem. Conquering it |
| control anxiety, lowered test scores, inhibited | | | | begins by recognizing it and deciding you want to |
| career growth, and weakened self esteem. | | | | do something about it. What makes this difficult is |
| If you experience any of the following symptoms, | | | | that many sufferers personalize it. They blame |
| you may have test anxiety. | | | | themselves thinking they are stupid or |
| 1. You dread taking tests, (even the idea | | | | “should” have more control. In reality, |
| makes you sick to your stomach) | | | | the body has misinterpreted information from the |
| 2. You avoid studying for tests | | | | environment and gone into fight or flight mode. |
| 3. When faced with a test, you experience | | | | Rather than blame yourself or continue suffering, |
| physical symptoms such as: | | | | acknowledge the problem and move towards |
| • difficulty breathing, feeling as though | | | | getting help. |
| you can't get enough air | | | | Hypnosis is a treatment option that is highly |
| • raging heartbeat | | | | effective, easy to use, and has no negative side |
| • nervous, shaking, or stress | | | | effects. Hypnosis uses the brains natural ability to |
| • dizziness, lightheadedness or nausea | | | | trigger the relaxation response and |
| • trembling, sweating, shaking | | | | “de-activate” the fight or flight response. |
| • hot flashes or sudden chills | | | | Once this occurs, the individual not only relaxes |
| • tingling in fingers or toes (pins and | | | | but feels much more in control. While the mind is |
| needles) | | | | in a relaxed state, positive suggestions are used |
| • choking, chest pains, distress | | | | to reinforce inner strength and self confidence. |
| • terror that is almost paralyzing | | | | The combination of relaxation and positive |
| • feeling of dread, panic, or like you are | | | | suggestions alters the way the body reacts in |
| going crazy | | | | testing situations. Being calm and relaxed, turns a |
| • fear, fright, afraid, anxious | | | | negative test taking experience into a more |
| 4. You feel embarrassed and ashamed, often | | | | positive one. |