Anxiety and stomach problems after final exams
Hey everyone,
I’ve been dealing with some health issues for about 3–4 months now because of my final law exams. Up until my first exam (civil law), I felt completely fine, but then I suddenly had a mental breakdown: rapid heartbeat, nausea, internal trembling. These symptoms would ease up after each exam, but as the next one approached, they would come back stronger.
My stomach has become really sensitive, I have to be extremely careful with what I eat, and my mind basically goes into alarm mode over everything (bloating, a heavy stomach feeling, a harmless burp, or menstrual cramps), so all my symptoms get amplified like 10x, and I end up needing a sedative.
The exams are long over, but even on the morning of my graduation I was still struggling with anxiety. It feels like I’ve completely fallen apart mentally, like I’m dancing on very thin ice, and my brain is somehow directly connected to my stomach, so my digestion is affected too.
I’ve been to a psychiatrist and had blood tests done, everything. Physically I’m supposedly fine, and the psychiatrist basically said I overexerted myself and should take a Xanax if I feel anxiety coming on.
But I don’t understand why this is still happening even a month after my last exam? Especially since despite all the anxiety and feeling unwell, I still got straight A’s, so I should technically be relieved. (During the previous 9 semesters I never ended up in a situation like this, even though I worked really hard. The only explanation I can think of is that all the pressure from my perfectionism built up and finally burst—but even if that’s the case, I just want to feel normal again.)
I don’t know who else to turn to anymore. I don’t understand what’s happening to me. For weeks now I’ve only been sleeping 5–6 hours a night. I’m exhausted from not being able to eat or drink freely, from not being able to go out and party like everyone else, and from needing a sedative for every difficult situation—something I don’t want to rely on. I don’t take it daily, but for things like graduation or job interviews it feels almost necessary.
Right now I’m just taking vitamin B6 in the morning and magnesium citrate in the evening.
Please, I need help or at least some reassurance. When will this nightmare finally end?