Performance Anxiety

Research shows that a moderate level of fear or anxiety before a task actually improves performance. But when it goes beyond that, performance suffers.

Being afraid of an exam or suffering from anxiety is completely normal. But if that fear overwhelms you and makes you unwell, then it becomes a matter of concern.

"What questions will come in the exam? Will I be able to do it? What will everyone think if I do badly? My parents have such high hopes for me; I'll ruin everyone's reputation" — these questions give rise to one negative thought after another, making the person restless and short of breath. It is not only exams: performance anxiety can arise with any task, such as work assigned by a boss at the office, or a presentation.

Research shows that in families where parents place excessive expectations on their children, this kind of anxiety develops in the child and later appears with any task.

Breathing relaxation works well to relieve anxiety. By working on your own negative thoughts, it is possible to be free of this anxiety quite quickly. For a full recovery, psychotherapy and, where needed, medication work quite well.