Am I afraid of the exam or actually afraid of speaking to people?

Ask a Therapist Is This Normal?
1

Usually for oral exams, no matter what subject it is - Chinese, English or even Malay - since young, for almost 8 years, I would always panic during my oral exams - even now, as a polytechnic student, I still always end up in tears and hyperventilating/stutter breathing (such as today) after an oral, even if it was a practical. I know I hyperventilate when I’m crying over an oral is because I panic and stress when I can’t form the words to say in my head. And when I do presentations, I usually panic and do end up in tears but I don’t hyperventilate. However, for normal conversations, back then I would always sweat and blush a lot when talking to random people (now I’m doing better and fine, I can easily talk to random strangers without sweating or blushing) - I was wondering if these are things related to Social Anxiety Disorder or if it was normal to feel this way?

2

You can try exposure therapy. U will eventually get better. I used to have irrational fear of certain stuff too n got better

3

Hi @lvcid

Thank you for courageously seeking assistance which is a great first step to address what you have described.

I believe your experiences with oral exams, presentations, and conversations suggest that you may be struggling with anxiety-related issues.

Here are some suggestions to consider:

  1. Consult a mental health professional: Discuss your experiences and concerns with a mental health professional to determine if you might be experiencing social anxiety disorder or another anxiety-related condition.
  2. Explore relaxation techniques: Learn relaxation methods, such as deep breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, or visualization, to help manage your anxiety.
  3. Develop coping strategies: Work with a mental health professional to develop coping strategies for managing anxiety in social situations.
  4. Practice self-compassion: Treat yourself with kindness, understanding, and patience as you work through your anxiety challenges.

Please know that seeking help is a sign of strength, and addressing your anxiety can lead to improved well-being and a more fulfilling life which you fully deserve. Take tiny steps forward and keep at it.:heart: