Extreme test anxiety
- Thread starter shesulsa
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RoninGirl82
White Belt
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- Dec 25, 2010
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I also have extreme test anxiety...my 3rd degree brown test I almost failed because i just couldn't connect the name of the technique to the actual movements. The instructor passed me because he'd seen me in class, and I can do these techniques great, but that night my brain just shut down. That was some 2-3 years ago.
At that time, college exams were just as bad...I would pass my tests with flying colors, but would freeze either before or after. Math is the worst...I actually froze DURING those tests.
Three things that have absolutely been essential for moving past this:
1.) My Service Dog. I had to train my dog to recognize when I was freezing up, and to do something that would snap me out of it (among other very important training subjects!). After just one semester in school with the dog, I learned to recognize the early signs of stress and instigate the coping mechanisms faster.
2.) Continuing my Karate career. I can't tell you how many times I had to push through a panic reaction while sparring. There were times I would freeze during a match while thinking about a strategy I wanted to implement...my instructor was always kind enough to hit me in the head while I just stood there. Doesn't happen very often now, because I've learned to NOT think while sparring (at least, not that much) and not to stop all motion while thinking (or flywheeling, more accurately).
3.) Learning to control my THOUGHTS! I can honestly say that Karate TAUGHT me coping mechanisms and ways of controlling my thoughts during stress. Anxiety that freezes starts as a single thought, then snowballs until it consumes all brain-processes. Think of it as a pesky download that takes up ALL the computer's memory to process, eventually requiring a hard reboot to get the thing running properly again. Learn to control the initial thought and it will not snowball. Takes practice and experience, but it can be done.
And yes, until new neuron paths are laid, it takes outside help to break the old patterns. I've found that physical activity really does wonders when the brain shuts down...I've had to punch many brick walls just to break a freeze or anxiety-producing thought pattern. Whatever works!
The worst thing that can happen is for the fear to win. NEVER stop because of a panic attack; just work through it, then push past. It hurts, its not fun, takes extra time, but the sufferer is better for it in the long run.
But then, YMMV
At that time, college exams were just as bad...I would pass my tests with flying colors, but would freeze either before or after. Math is the worst...I actually froze DURING those tests.
Three things that have absolutely been essential for moving past this:
1.) My Service Dog. I had to train my dog to recognize when I was freezing up, and to do something that would snap me out of it (among other very important training subjects!). After just one semester in school with the dog, I learned to recognize the early signs of stress and instigate the coping mechanisms faster.
2.) Continuing my Karate career. I can't tell you how many times I had to push through a panic reaction while sparring. There were times I would freeze during a match while thinking about a strategy I wanted to implement...my instructor was always kind enough to hit me in the head while I just stood there. Doesn't happen very often now, because I've learned to NOT think while sparring (at least, not that much) and not to stop all motion while thinking (or flywheeling, more accurately).
3.) Learning to control my THOUGHTS! I can honestly say that Karate TAUGHT me coping mechanisms and ways of controlling my thoughts during stress. Anxiety that freezes starts as a single thought, then snowballs until it consumes all brain-processes. Think of it as a pesky download that takes up ALL the computer's memory to process, eventually requiring a hard reboot to get the thing running properly again. Learn to control the initial thought and it will not snowball. Takes practice and experience, but it can be done.
And yes, until new neuron paths are laid, it takes outside help to break the old patterns. I've found that physical activity really does wonders when the brain shuts down...I've had to punch many brick walls just to break a freeze or anxiety-producing thought pattern. Whatever works!
The worst thing that can happen is for the fear to win. NEVER stop because of a panic attack; just work through it, then push past. It hurts, its not fun, takes extra time, but the sufferer is better for it in the long run.
But then, YMMV
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