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The Anxious Student 
Anxiety is a normal response to a perceived danger or threat to one's well-being or self-esteem. For some students, the cause of the anxiety will be clear, but for others it may be difficult to determine. It is our experience that anxiety is very often a result of the intense academic competition among students, a fear of inadequacy regarding some academic challenge, or personal relationships.
Regardless of the cause, one or more of the following symptoms may be experienced:
- Rapid heart beat
- Chest pain or discomfort
- Dizziness
- Sweating
- Trembling or shaking
- Cold clammy hands
- Hyperventilation
The student may also complain of:
- Difficulty concentrating
- Always being "on edge,"
- Having difficulty making decisions
- Sleeping problems
- Being too fearful to take action
In rare cases, a student may experience a panic attack in which physical symptoms occur spontaneously and intensely in such a way that the student may fear she/he is dying.
The following guidelines are appropriate actions in most cases involving anxiety or panic symptoms:
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