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Test Anxiety


21 years ago 0 40 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
I've taken Lorazepam a few times when my anxiety level was high and it worked fine for me. The Lorazepam calmed me down quickly and it cleared the worries from my mind. I'm not planning to take the generic Ativan during the bar exam but I'd rather take the drug instead of being so freaked out and full of anxiety that I can't concentrate or think straight. I've already been on Prozac because I suffer from more than "mere anxiety" as you put it. I also have Major Depressive Disorder with Psychotic Features, Dysthymic Disorder, Personality Disorder Not Otherwise Specfied with Dependent and Avoidant Traits, and GAD. For me Prozac was not an effective anti-depressant and was much more sedating than Ativan.
21 years ago 0 15 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
I was working for a crim firm but will soon switch (too much stress, not enough $). I know nothing of Buspar. I used to take Lorazepam when I was diagnosed with mere anxiety before I developed panic disorder/agoraphobia. It was a bad idea--DO NOT take Ativan before an exam--it will make you slow, sluggish, and even cause panic. At least that's what it did to me. I was dumb enough to take it before the LSAT and as a result I had a (small) panic during the first section. The problem is that the drug makes you tired. I find that when I'm in a stressful situation, like an exam, but am too tired to "fight" or take "flight", I feel helpless and this causes me to panic. In other words, Ativan actually worsened my exam anxiety. Paxil, however, completely wiped out my panic attacks (after it started to kick in--within 4 weeks) and it sharply reduced my general level of anxiety. It is a drug you take every day regardless of whether or not you feel anxious. It changes the chemistry of your brain. You become a different person. You feel great, even a little high, as long as you're on the stuff. You have the confidence to do things you couldn't do before. When anxiety kicks in, it hits a plateau before it has the chance to become panic (this feels kind of strange, but it's a lot better than a panic attack). However, if you do end up trying Paxil (or another SSRI such as Prozac or Zoloft) don't stay on it too long. I suggest you read the book [u]Prozac Backlash[/u]by Joseph Glenmullen--it provides some disturbing evidence that SSRI's cause brain damage (not a great thing to have in the legal profession!) and that it has troublesome similarities to cocaine.
21 years ago 0 40 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
Thanks for the feedback. The fact that you overcame your anxiety and passed your bar exam is an inspiration for me. What types of law do you practice? I take Lorazepam, a generic Ativan, "as needed" whatever that means. It's hard for me to know when I really "need" to take this "benzo" but I've been warned not to take it every day so I don't. The last time I took a Lorazepam was over week ago. For GAD I take Buspar, but my psychiatrist told me that Buspar doesn't do much for extremely stressful situations, so I have the generic Ativan for that. Craig
21 years ago 0 15 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
My friend, I also had severe exam anxiety, but managed to pass the bar exams in my jurisdiction (Ontario). I wish I could give you some sage advice as to how you can challenge or overcome your fear, but unfortunately I cannot. The only thing that made my exam anxiety go away was a high dosage of drugs (Paxil). That being said, I only started taking Paxil after I found my self too frightened to leave my home. Your situation seems more under control. You may want to consider BRIEFLY going on Paxil (just long enough for it to start working, i.e. 4 weeks) and IMMEDIATELY getting off it after you pass the bar---but don't stay on it too long or else you'll be hooked like me!!!
21 years ago 0 40 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
I have Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD), but I still have high anxiety in specific high stress situations. My main concern now is test anxiety since I'm studying for the California bar exam. Since I have already failed the exam twice, fear of failing again is strong because it's a realistic fear. I can't practice law, in California at least, without passing this extremely difficult bar exam, so my whole law career is at stake. When I take practice exams, I worry that I'm going to do poorly because 1) I can't remember all the rules and exceptions (the law); 2) I'm too slow so I won't finish in time; 3) my self esteem is so low I don't trust my own judgment; and 4) my depression and anxiety will interfere with my ability to concentrate; and 5) I usually get a failing score on practice exams. Then I get all sorts of physical symptoms of anxiety, such as 1) stomache aches; 2) diahhrea; 3)headaches; and 4) I pick at my fingernails and cuticles, sometimes until they bleed. In late June of this year (about three weeks ago) I posted an email to this online support group about picking at my fingernails until they bleed and I asked how serious that is and is that a type of self mutilation. I requested feedback on that issue, but nobody ever responded so I thought nobody cares about my problems---not a good feeling. I hope somebody cares enough to write back and give me some feedback on the above issues I've raised.

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