Anxiety Support Group
Anxiety is a physical condition marked by intense and persistent feelings of distress, fear, angst or dread. General anxiety caused by routine day-to-day stresses usually passes quickly and is experienced by almost everyone at one time or another. However, such feelings that linger over time and are very difficult to cope with, and which lack a clear cause, may indicate...
Over the past couple months my problems with anxiety have been improving. It has become a lot more manageable and I've been able to get myself through my stressful moments much more easily and quickly than I used to be able to, which has been great. I've been a lot more relaxed and happy lately; I feel like a lot of weight was lifted off my shoulders.
One problem I'm still having though is that I still experience a lot of anxiety in classes (I'm a senior in college). My anxiety really holds me back from participating and answering questions. The thought of answering a question and getting it wrong causes me so much anxiety. I know that nothing is going to happen from getting the wrong answer or making an incorrect comment, but for some reason it's something that really scares me. I guess I'm just afraid of being judged and I worry about what everyone is going to think if I answer something wrong, especially if it's something that I feel like should be an easy question. Even when I am 100% sure that I know the right answer, I'm still afraid that what I'm going to say is going to be wrong. It's just easier for me to sit in class and be quiet than it is for me to participate and possible make an incorrect comment. I really want to be able to participate, I don't want to be so afraid of being wrong, and I don't want to care so much about what other people will think if I am wrong, but these are all things that are just so hard for me. Does anyone have any advice on how to relieve the anxiety related to these issues or how I can help myself be less stressed in class?
One problem I'm still having though is that I still experience a lot of anxiety in classes (I'm a senior in college). My anxiety really holds me back from participating and answering questions. The thought of answering a question and getting it wrong causes me so much anxiety. I know that nothing is going to happen from getting the wrong answer or making an incorrect comment, but for some reason it's something that really scares me. I guess I'm just afraid of being judged and I worry about what everyone is going to think if I answer something wrong, especially if it's something that I feel like should be an easy question. Even when I am 100% sure that I know the right answer, I'm still afraid that what I'm going to say is going to be wrong. It's just easier for me to sit in class and be quiet than it is for me to participate and possible make an incorrect comment. I really want to be able to participate, I don't want to be so afraid of being wrong, and I don't want to care so much about what other people will think if I am wrong, but these are all things that are just so hard for me. Does anyone have any advice on how to relieve the anxiety related to these issues or how I can help myself be less stressed in class?
I think you just need to be confident in yourself and know that whether or not you get the answers right or wrong, it doesn't make you look stupid. That was always my fear.
Good luck and hope ur anxiety gets a little easier in class.
I find it commendable you want to be more active and to participate. Don't put so much pressure on yourself, though. You do not have to answer the questions if you do not want to.
Yet, you want to evolve as a person and put yourself out there. Nobody is perfect and nobody has all the right answers. Period.
What is the worst that can happen? You can be wrong, but we learn from our mistakes, don't we? Nobody would remember if you were right or wrong after class. It's college. I know. Most students are just trudging along and could care less. At least you showed initiative and do you know what? Every time you answer a question, you will become desensitized to the stress and it will become easier.
The best that could happen is that you answer questions correctly, but you only proved you already knew something. If you already know something, did you learn anything?
And the person passively listening in the back of the room loses out on your courage and initiative.
Anyway, I hope you feel better soon.
Once you find the root.....challenge it with positive reinforcement.
When in class and the feeling arises......counter it with questions that are realistic that there nothing bad will happen if you answer the question wrong.
I hope this makes some sense. Do some deep breathing exercises as well during this stressful time (breath in through the nose. Hold it for several seconds. Release your breath slowly through pursed lips).
Even in some subjects that seem cut and dried, your answers may provide a new insight or discovery for the rest of the class - and the prof!
And if you are uncomfortable speaking up and it's not a requirement, perhaps just thinking the answers through in your head and recognizing your own brilliance while evaluating your unique perspective.
One thing that used to help me: As I was listening to the discussion, I would jot down the point I wanted to make when I spoke up. That way, if my mind went blank from stage fright, I could just look at the page and start talking anyway.