Hussain Kaisrani - Psychotherapist & Homeopathic Consultant: A Solved Case of Exam Anxiety / Test Stress – Homeopathic Treatment and Medicines

A Client / Patient, Miss AA, age 25, resident of Pakistan, university student contacted on January 05, 2018 through Phone / WhatsApp for the Homeopathic treatment of her anxiety about exams. She was preparing for exams but was not able to concentrate at all. Fear of failure and anxiety about her parent’s well being were bothering her too much (She is a hostelite nowadays). Along with these matters she was also having issues in several aspects of physical and emotional health.

Miss AA had been facing Exam anxiety since her childhood. In her last semester, she had been very disturbed due to vomiting soon after going through the question paper which had long questions. Just after three days, she is appearing in her final papers of a semester. Her Chief Complaints were Examination Stress, anticipation and very poor concentration. However, Homeopathic treatment and remedy selection process requires a thorough case taking.

After a detailed interview, following issues came into consideration:

PHYSICAL COMPLAINTS

Shortness of Breath,
Vomiting and Nausea (during exams / tests)
Feeling of faintness (during exams / tests)
Shivering and trembling
Loss of sleep, appetite and thirst
Diarrhea (during tests / exams)
Excessive Urination
Headache
Too much Hair fall
Rapid Heartbeat

MENTAL / EMOTIONAL SYMPTOMS

Exam Stress, anxiety and panic attaches days before exams, tests, presentation, course work
Exam / Test anxiety during and after exams
Intense fear and discomfort
Prolonged tiredness
Inability to relax
Inability to think clearly and concentrate properly
Anger, irritation, helplessness and disappointments
Panic attacks
Too much fear of unknown
Panic attacks
Anxiety about parent’s well being

COGNITIVE / BEHAVIORAL ISSUES

Concentration very poor – Mind is racing and absorbed
Anticipation
Too much negativity in thinking
Comparison with other

FAMILY HISTORY

Stomach Disorder
Gallbladder Stones
Backache, Joint’s Pain, The pain of Sciatica
Tuberculosis
Slow Learning Syndrome
Slow Processing Speed

TREATMENT and PRESCRIPTION

After a detailed understanding of case and thoughtful comprehension Gelsemium and Lycopodiumwere considered to be prescribed. The case was prescribed on World Renowned Homeopathic Software RADAR latest Version.

Mind – ANTICIPATION, ailments from – examination, before

Stomach – VOMITING, general – blood, at sight

Mind – ANTICIPATION, general – stage-fright

Mind – ANTICIPATION, general – unusual ordeal, of any

Mind – ANTICIPATION, general – singers and speakers, in

Mind – FEAR, general, phobias – failure, of – examinations, in

Mind – FEAR, general, phobias – failure, of

Food – THIRSTLESS, general

As examination date was too close so Gelsemium was prescribed on January 08, 2018. On a later stage Lycopodium may be indicated and prescribed if she continues her treatment.

The Client / Patient was requested to provide regular updates and feedback. She was monitored and vigilantly followed for any changes in the symptoms. The communication, feedback and update is being reproduced below.

January 08, 2018

She received medicine and taken first dose of Gelsemium. She was desperate about her recovery. Till evening there was no difference except her worry about the parent’s well being. Her concentration started improving at night. A counselling session was conducted at night on phone.

January 09, 2018

Second dose of Gelsemium was taken in the morning. She was worried about her paper by tomorrow and wanted an affirmation that she will not be disturbed when goes through the question paper. She was free from panic attacks of anxiety. Her concentration and Appetite was significantly improved.

January 10, 2018

Miss AA took her third dose of Gelsemium. She was also provided a tablet (Placebo) for taking it in case she gets disturbed during attempting the paper. She reported that there was no need to take this tablet.

Her paper went well. She was very happy. She acknowledged the positive affect of treatment by saying that exams days used to be very stressful but now everything is quite normal. I am happy.

January 15, 2018

During last four days she remained medicine free. Today, she reported short breathing problem and discomfort feeling. Her appetite got significantly better. She was made sure that it is only a temporary issue and will be addressed by taking one dose of Gelsemium – the fourth dose.

January 17, 2017

She informed that her difficulty in breathing was managed soon after taking the medicine. She took fifth dose of Gelsemium today. It was a last paper of this semester. She was very happy as her paper went very well. It was first time in her life when she remained normal and anxiety free during tests / exams. She thanked specially for the help.

Her Treatment for other issues may be continued.