Del.icio.us
Digg
Reddit
Facebook
StumbleUponAnxious About Antianxiety Drugs
Question
I’ve suffered from test anxiety all my life. My mind goes blank. I start sweating and sometimes get panic attacks. Now I’m in the Navy and have an oral test for rank coming up. My mother says I should go to the medic for an antianxiety drug, but I don’t want to get hooked on that stuff. What can I do to calm my nerves?
-- Cold Hands
Dear Hands,
I’m with Mom. Think of taking medicine as a short-term crutch. People with broken legs don’t get addicted to walking sticks. Getting relief from anxiety for the purpose of taking a test will not get you hooked unless you exceed the dose or frequency, and I’m sure the medic will carefully limit both. Just be sure to try the medication once before the important test to find out if it has any undesirable side effects.
Question
In high school, I had a major crush on a teacher. Now I’m out of school and almost 19; he’s 29. I still really like him. He was a popular, flirty teacher, and a lot of girls had crushes on him. But he was different with me. He looked at me all the time in class. His voice got soft when he talked to me. Do you think there’s a chance he would be interested in me since I’ve now graduated from high school?
-- Not Puppy Love
Dear Puppy,
Icky, icky, icky. Stay away! A teacher who flirts with students with any degree of intent should be reported to the authorities, not sought as a possible romantic interest. Put the idea of this man out of your head. Get a job, join a gym, take some college courses, look for a real boyfriend—and get on with the business of engaging the world of new friends and real possibilities.
Question of the Month
My daughter is 14 and has hit the rude, back-talking stage. What’s worse, my husband takes her side. The more insolent she gets, the more snide and mocking he becomes toward me. I’ve pleaded with him not to treat me with disrespect. His response is “You deserve it,” and he won’t admit there’s a problem. How can I stop my daughter from becoming a verbally abusive adult?
-- Browbeaten
Dear Beaten,
Your husband says you deserve disrespect? Honey, your problem isn’t with your daughter. You and your husband need counseling—quick.
Advertisement 
Your Comments
See all
...