Exam Anxiety | Exam Stress | Test Anxiety | Memory & Study Methods | Manchester | Didsbury | Stockport

Nigel is an experienced Manchester Psychotherapist/Counsellor, Clinical Hypnotherapist, Life Coach and NLP Master Practitioner who is experienced in working with exam anxiety and study methods.

Online exam anxiety therapy is also available via Skype

To book an appointment with him, or to make an enquiry, call 0161 881 4333 or Click here to email

What is Exam Anxiety / Exam Stress?
Symptoms of Exam Anxiety?
What are panic attacks?
What treatment is available?
How to book the treatment?

What is exam anxiety ?

Also called exam stress, test anxiety,  exam phobia, or exam nerves.

Someone experiencing exam anxiety is feeling the effects of the ‘fight or flight’ response. The fight or flight response is a very natural response to danger. It is highly unlikely that there will be any physical danger in an exam or test environment, and therefore the perceived threat is likely to be psychological rather than physical in nature. (e.g. failure, making a scene, looking foolish, not being liked or accepted, appearing inadequate, not being good enough etc.)

Exam Anxiety | Exam Stress | Exam nerves |Study methods | nlp manchester | hypnotherapy manchester | psychotherapy | counsellingWhenever it is initiated, stress hormones are released within your body to make it possible for you to either fight or flee from the threatening situation. The impact of the fight or flight reaction include an acceleration in our heart rate to supply blood much faster to the lungs, muscles, as well as brain itself. We breath much more rapidly to increase our oxygen levels, our muscles tighten ready for action, and many functions not necessary for fighting or escaping, such as digestion or reproduction, decrease or even stop.

The fight or flight response has evolved to deal with physical threats, by powering up our bodies to fight or flee. As a result many of the physical symptoms you may experience when feeling anxious, will seem to make no sense at all in relation to exams or studying, because there is nothing physical to fight or run away from. What makes this response even less helpful during studying and exams, is that it affects your concentration, your memory, and your ability to think rationally and clearly.

It is important to realise that all anxiety and stress, including exam anxiety starts with your thoughts, and it is your brain that then stimulates the release of the various stress hormones. It is the negative perceptions you have about what is happening or might happen that will start the anxiety response within your body, and then keep it going.

In some ways your mind can’t tell the difference between the thoughts about a situation and the situation itself. Therefore by simply thinking negatively,worrying, or ‘what if’-ing about an upcoming exam, you are activating the fight or flight response in much the same way as if you were actually experiencing it in reality.

Due to the way anxiety functions, you often can’t fight it head on. Like most people you’ve probably tried that already and failed. In fact the more you fight and try to control your exam nerves, the worse it may get! Could you imagine just how useful it would be for you to learn new and different ways to think and react so that your fears just faded away and no longer seemed a problem?

When you are committed to make the inner changes you need to control your anxiety, simply phone me on 0161 881 4333 or Click here to email to make an appointment now. If you can’t travel to me then I am also available for online therapy, counselling and coaching via Skype.

Symptoms of exam nerves / exam anxiety / exam stress may include:

Poor concentration

Fear of having a heart attack

Tingling sensation

Hyperventilating

Sensation of Choking

Feeling hot

Indigestion

Pins and needles

Fear of making a fool of self

Fear of losing control

Fear of going insane

Fear of dying

Churning/burning stomach

Muscle pain

Sensitivity to light/sound

Breathing difficulties

Difficulties Sleeping

Tight-ness in the throat

Frequent urination

Diarrhoea

Chest pain

Sweating hands

Headaches

Neck ache

Rashes which are unexplained

Depersonalisation

Feeling Dissociated

Aching jaw

Short-term memory loss

Tense Muscles

Excessive sweating

Feeling Light-headed

Extreme Exhaustion

Feeling detached from body

Nausea/vomiting

Digestive issues

Pounding heart

Shaking

Fear of embarrassment

Ice cold feeling

Hot prickly feeling

NOTE: If you are suffering from any of the above physical symptoms then do discuss them with a doctor first to rule out any potential physical causes.

When you are committed to make the inner changes you need to control your anxiety, simply phone me on 0161 881 4333 or Click here to email to make an appointment now.

Memory Improvement and Study Methods

TBC

 

Common situations which often provoke test nerves:

  • Exams
  • Tests
  • Interviews
  • Acting Auditions and Performances
  • Musical Auditions
  • Driving Test

When you are committed to make the inner changes you need to control your exam anxiety, simply phone me on 0161 881 4333 or Click here to email to make an appointment now.

Panic Attacks

Psychotherapy and counselling for Public speaking anxiety and stage fright in ManchesterA panic attack may also be experienced as part of the exam anxiety, and is an intense rush of very uncomfortable physical symptoms such as shortness of breath,  increased heart rate, lightheadedness, nausea, inability to concentrate, and confusion. Which is coupled with negative thoughts about the situation (e.g. sense of failure, looking foolish, not good enough, having a heart attack, not being able to breathe etc.).

Symptoms of panic attacks can include palpitations, sweating, trembling or shaking, sensations of shortness of breath or smothering, feeling of choking, chest pain or discomfort, nausea or abdominal distress, dizziness or light-headedness, derealisation or depersonalisation, fear of losing control or going ‘crazy’, fear of dying, paresthesia, and chills or hot flushes.

 Return to the top of the exam anxiety and study methods page

The Exam Anxiety Treatment in Manchester

The treatment is available at the Manchester practices is custom made for your unique requirements, so the exact form of treatment and number of sessions will vary from person to person depending on your needs, the severity of the problem and any other complicating factors. Most people will usually need as little as 6 to 12 one hour sessions. For more deep rooted, long-term or complex problems, more sessions may be required.

work with your brain study methods | counselling in ManchesterThe overall aim of this process is to help you to experience a deep permanent change in how you think and feel about exams and your own abilities. During the process we will address whatever issues need to be dealt with to enable you to overcome your anxiety and stress.

The treatment process itself is sensitive, confidential, respectful and non-judgemental.

Examples of some commonly dealt with issues:

  • Disassembling of the negative feedback loops, and self reinforcing and self sustaining aspects of the anxiety.
  • Change what you feel about yourself and your abilities.
  • Building your self-esteem, self-worth and self confidence.
  • Building emotional state management skills.
  • Learning to relax/ground/centre yourself so you can stay more in the moment and concentrate during the exam.

Study methods and memory techniques:

  • Learn study methods that work with your brains natural ability to learn, rather than against it, enabling you to study much more effectively.
  • Learn specific memory improvement techniques.

The therapy combines my own research with a wide variety of therapeutic processes, including but not limited to Brief Psychotherapy, Counselling, CBT, Gestalt Therapy, Clinical Hypnotherapy, Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP), Mindfulness, Self-Relations Psychotherapy, Study Methods and Memory Techniques, Life Coaching and Stress Management

I am a professional fully trained and experienced UKCP and BACP Registered Psychotherapist, Advanced Hypnotherapist, Life Coach, and a Licensed NLP Master Practitioner. I integrate all my skills and experience to produce a treatment that is tailored to your unique needs. So that together we can work to help you to change in the quickest and easiest ways possible.

When you are committed to make the inner changes you need to control your study and exam anxiety, simply phone me on 0161 881 4333 or Click here to email to make an appointment now. If you can’t travel to me then I am also available for online therapy for study and exam anxiety, via Skype.

(See the short-term therapy section on the consultation fees page for prices and discounts.)

What this treatment is not: The treatment is not just a list of coping strategies, quick fixes, tips or tricks about exam stress.

Exam Anxiety | Exam Stress | Memory Improvement and Study Methods

 

Booking is easy

NOTE: If your physical symptoms are severe get them diagnosed by a medical practitioner or doctor before booking to rule out any physical problems.

I recommend booking an Initial Consultation first. This gives us the chance to begin to explore your issues and your requirements further, give you honest answers to any questions you might have and give you a realistic estimate of the number of sessions you may require.

When you are ready to make the inner changes you need, simply phone me on 0161 881 4333 or Click here to email to make an appointment now.

I offer online scheduling for Manchester appointments

Location

I practice from a consulting room in my home on a quiet residential street in Chorlton, in South Manchester. If you can’t travel to me then I am also available for online therapy, counselling and coaching via Skype.

Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions.

 Return to the top of the exam anxiety and study methods page

 

Consultation Fees

You may pay by cash, Debit Card, credit card or online. I no longer accept cheques.

Cost when paying per session:

See the Short-Term Therapy section on the consultation fees page for session prices and discounts.

Upcoming Workshops

Why not enquire about the next full day anxiety workshop, held regularly in South Manchester.

 

Corporate Work

My services can also be combined and tailored to your group or corporate needs, and range from EAP (Employee Assistance Programme – one to one therapy, counselling or coaching sessions) through to bespoke group training, workshops, and outdoor activities and retreats.

 Return to the top of the exam anxiety and study methods page

 

Related Exam Anxiety and Study Methods Websites:

  1. Wikipedia: Test Anxiety
  2. NHS Choices – Coping with exam stress
  3. Study Guides and Strategies – Overcoming test anxiety
  4. UCL Student Psychological Services – Coping with exam anxiety

  

Nigel Magowan, UKCP, BACP,Psychotherapy Manchester Psychotherapist, Clinical Hypnotherapist, NLP Manchester Life Coach | Help with public speaking

Nigel Magowan
BSc(Hons) MBACP UKCP Reg. AccMCCP GHR SQHP AMPM
BACP and UKCP Registered Integrative Psychotherapist, Life Coach, Licensed NLP Master Practitioner, Ecotherapist, GHR Accredited Supervisor and Clinical Hypnotherapist

 UKCP Logo Registered Psychotherapist Manchester Stockport Didsbury Chorlton Altrincham  BACP Registered Counsellor MBACP Registered Manchester 099216 logo
The Society of NLP | NLP Master Practitioner | NLP Manchester | Manchester Psychotherapy GHR Acknowledged Supervisor | Manchester Psychotherapy | Manchester Counsellor

Clients come to me from all over the North West of England, see below for a list of areas covered:

Greater Manchester: Chorlton ~ Didsbury ~ Fallowfield ~ Eccles ~ Irlam ~ Salford ~ Worsley ~ Levenshulme ~ Withington West Didsbury ~ Whalley Range

North Trafford: Stretford ~ Urmston.

South Trafford: Altrincham ~ Sale ~ Timperley

Stockport:  Bredbury ~ Brinnington ~ Cheadle ~  Gatley ~ Heaton Moor ~ Heaton Norris ~ Heaton Chapel ~ Heaton Mersey ~ Hazel Grove ~ Marple

Cheshire: Alderley Edge ~ Knutsford ~ Tatton ~ Wilmslow ~ Lymm ~ Dunham Massey ~ Congleton ~ Macclesfield ~ Mobberley ~ Frodsham

 

Anxiety and Study Methods Frequently used keywords

  • taking tests
  • exams make me sick
  • help with tests
  • studying for tests
  • tests make me sick
  • performance anxiety
  • good study habits
  • doing well on tests
  • doing better on tests
  • worried about tests
  • stressed out over tests
  • nervous about tests
  • scared of tests
  • tests make me nervous
  • tests make me stressed
  • exam nerves

Summary

Offers help with fear of exams, exam anxiety, test anxiety, exam nerves, and study habits in the Greater Manchester, Cheshire and Lancashire area.

Therapy Services

Integrative Psychotherapy
Counselling
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
Trauma-Informed Therapy
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing)
AF-EMDR (Attachment-Focused EMDR)
Somatic Therapy
Clinical Supervision
DBT Skills
Life Coaching
Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP)
Ericksonian Hypno-psychotherapy
Online Therapy via Zoom / Skype
Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)
Open Public Workshops
Corporate Workshops and Training
Closed Group Ecotherapy Workshops
Ecotherapy / Nature-based Therapy
Outdoor Nature-therapy Retreats

Contact Details

Nigel Magowan
UKCP Registered and Accredited Psychotherapist
Registered Member of the BACP
EMDR Therapist
UKCP Approved Clinical Supervisor
Accredited Therapist Member of Anxiety UK

New address:

Nigel Magowan t/as
Inner Changes Psychotherapy
Piccadilly House
49 Piccadilly
Manchester
England
M1 2AP
UK
Website: www.manchester-psychotherapy.co.uk
Email: enquiries@manchester-psychotherapy.co.uk
Phone: 07463 542368 (Manchester City Centre)

Opening hours:
11am – 7:30pm, Monday – Friday

Payment accepted by debit/credit card, direct bank transfer, PayPal, cash or medical health insurance.

Privacy Policy

Join my email list

* indicates required
What inner changes would you like to make?