I am a grade 12 students, who is experiencing a sort of "test anxiety" symptoms, where I cannot sleep too well, and worry about some tests.  I study usually the best I can, but end up doing poorly on exams.

Do you have any tips on dealing with such anxiety??

Thank you,
Larysa


Dear Larysa -- 
Ask your parents if they'll help you find a local psychotherapist who uses the method called "cognitive behavioral therapy", which is more like getting a good coach than getting "therapy" in the way most people think of therapy.  That has a pretty good chance of helping and doesn't have any medical risks, which we always worry about when someone is still young like yourself, and their brain therefore is still developing.  There is no specific medication for this, although some doctors might prescribe a blood pressure medication called propanolol, which we use in performance anxiety like when somebody's hands shake while giving a lecture or playing an instrument on stage.  Others might even think about prescribing an antidepressant medication, as those help people with social anxiety, and also with extreme general worrying ("Generalized Anxiety Disorder").  However, all of these conditions have been treated successfully with the therapy I mentioned above; you just have to find a good therapist. 

Dr. Phelps