Yeah, I think you're right because when when people say they get nervous before tests, I think, "Oh sure, I get nervous too!" But not to the point where I spend half the time sitting there, unable to write anything down.
I'm a bit concerned that a lot of the treatment options on that page are drugs. Is it really safe to drug people before their brain is supposed to do mathy things? Is it cheating? Do any of the people you know have any handy CBT-style rituals that help calm them down? I think from now on I'm also going to persuade professors to call exams "quizzes" or something.
I'm a bit concerned that a lot of the treatment options on that page are drugs. Is it really safe to drug people before their brain is supposed to do mathy things?
Probably not more unsafe than drugging them other times. As for performance... most anxiolytic substances impair mental function somewhat. It's what they are notorious for (ie. Valium and ethanol). Still, the effects aren't strong enough that crippling anxiety wouldn't be worse. On the other hand a few things like phenibut and aniracetam could lead to somewhat increased performance even beside...
If it's worth saying, but not worth its own post (even in Discussion), then it goes here.