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Original poster

Panic attack during exam

7 replies

changedmyname24 · 09/12/2024 13:53

As per the title, school just rang as DS1 had a panic attack during his mock Maths GCSE exam. It's his weakest subject, should get a 5/6, most others he can achieve 8/9 (except science).

Home has been pretty stressful the last couple of weeks as his little brother is on new epilepsy meds & has been vomiting every day, so this has taken up a lot of our focus & we have perhaps been shorter than usual.

Aside from making a concerted effort to reduce this, is there anything else we can do which will have immediate effect? Diet, supplements, podcasts anything like that? I am trying to book a GP appointment for advice, waiting for a callback.

I do remember taking a calming supplement when I took my driving test for the 5th time & think it helped as I passed, could this be useful? He is 16 next week & 6ft 1 ie adult size.

OP posts:
HPandthelastwish · 09/12/2024 13:56

Rescue remedy pastilles could be a good placebo.

Identify what the issue was - just the subject or the exam room? It's quite common for students to sit at the front/back depending on their preference or to be in a smaller room if this continues as more than a one off.

LaTable · 09/12/2024 13:57

Honestly, maybe just take him out somewhere fun and take away all pressure and expectations of "this gcse exam will determine the rest of my life" when as we all know as adults, it doesn't really.
The stress that gets put onto gcses and "you have to know what you want to do with your life" at such a young age of 16 is crazy.
That's would would have helped me back in the day anyway.

Mipil · 09/12/2024 14:03

Has he had panic attacks in exams before? Has he been diagnosed with anxiety? I would be discussing potential access arrangements with the school eg taking the exam alone in a separate room, being allowed to take a short break if he has a panic attack. It has to be established as his usual way of working so I would request that the school implements this for the rest of his mocks.

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Original poster
changedmyname24 · 09/12/2024 14:03

LaTable · 09/12/2024 13:57

Honestly, maybe just take him out somewhere fun and take away all pressure and expectations of "this gcse exam will determine the rest of my life" when as we all know as adults, it doesn't really.
The stress that gets put onto gcses and "you have to know what you want to do with your life" at such a young age of 16 is crazy.
That's would would have helped me back in the day anyway.

I do think this would stress him out more 😔 He is very focused & going to every revision session he can, out of choice. We have stressed to him that he will be ok & we are happy if he tries his best, but he is very determined.

OP posts:
Original poster
changedmyname24 · 09/12/2024 14:04

Mipil · 09/12/2024 14:03

Has he had panic attacks in exams before? Has he been diagnosed with anxiety? I would be discussing potential access arrangements with the school eg taking the exam alone in a separate room, being allowed to take a short break if he has a panic attack. It has to be established as his usual way of working so I would request that the school implements this for the rest of his mocks.

Not in exams but had one last week in lunch break.

OP posts:
MollyButton · 09/12/2024 14:15

Talk to the school. There are lots of measures they can put in place.

Mipil · 09/12/2024 14:17

LaTable · 09/12/2024 13:57

Honestly, maybe just take him out somewhere fun and take away all pressure and expectations of "this gcse exam will determine the rest of my life" when as we all know as adults, it doesn't really.
The stress that gets put onto gcses and "you have to know what you want to do with your life" at such a young age of 16 is crazy.
That's would would have helped me back in the day anyway.

And this too, of course!

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