u/Extension_Link5197

I would say I’m a good medical student knowledge wise. I do well in exams, I’m seen as smart by other people in my cohort.

However, when it comes to osces I completely freeze. Any knowledge I have completely goes out of the window. It gets so bad I sometimes have the inability to form coherent sentences and just stumble over my words.

It’s honestly very demoralising and makes me wonder if a career as a doctor is for me. I’ve always wanted to do medicine, I’m an empathetic person who genuinely wants to treat patients but in high pressure situations I can’t function as well at all.

Any advice would be appreciated

I was once a high-flying, very sociable individual who did well in academics, had a range of hobbies and interests and lived life to its fullest.

In the past 2 years or so, something drastically changed. Some circumstances in my life led me to develop severe anxiety to the point where I am anxious to hold conversations with people I’m close to let alone strangers, my studies have absolutely been ruined because I’m too anxious to even open the textbook, my memory and cognition have faltered so badly I forget the most simple things.

My health has also been affected, and I now have chronic medical conditions as a result of this stress and anxiety.

It’s all become a mess and I’m so angry at myself because I’ve completely ruined my life. I’ve given up all my hobbies, lost my friends, my future prospects are slowly becoming ruined as a result of my studies being affected.

I honestly don’t know how to fix things. I’ve tried to socialise, become my older self again but I physically can’t anymore.

I would really appreciate some advice.