Afraid of stomach cramps, diarrhea during ACT

[DylanAsdale]

What happens if you really have to go to the bathroom? I know you get breaks but what if it's so bad you cant even concentrate? I read that if you leave, they'll not report your scores to whoever, but what happens then? Do you have to pay again, etc.?

It's making me really nervous...

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[olemissbabydoc]

What happens if you really have to go to the bathroom? I know you get breaks but what if it's so bad you cant even concentrate? I read that if you leave, they'll not report your scores to whoever, but what happens then? Do you have to pay again, etc.?

It's making me really nervous...

If you're really that nervous, and you have had nervous stomach issues before, take some immodium before the test. You'll be fine.

 

[broken tibula]

I'm lactose intolerant, so believe you me I know all about stomach cramps and diarrhea at the most incombenient times, but I'm confused about why you're worrying about it. Do you have some kind of problem that lends itself to sudden bouts of stomach issues. I mean, no offense, but if not then this post is kind off dumb.

What if do get sick during the ACT? What if you get into a car crash on the way there? What if an airplane crashes into the testing center?

Things go wrong. Just focus on studying for it, and pray for the best.

 

[DylanAsdale]

I'm lactose intolerant, so believe you me I know all about stomach cramps and diarrhea at the most incombenient times, but I'm confused about why you're worrying about it. Do you have some kind of problem that lends itself to sudden bouts of stomach issues. I mean, no offense, but if not then this post is kind off dumb.

What if do get sick during the ACT? What if you get into a car crash on the way there? What if an airplane crashes into the testing center?

Things go wrong. Just focus on studying for it, and pray for the best.

I believe you misunderstand my concerns.

Anxiety is what causes my stomach issues. I rarely have them except when I'm anxious.

It's natural for people to be anxious before taking a test, but my anxiety isn't just typical high school "i-don't-want-to-take-this-stupid-test" anxiety, I've actually been diagnosed and medicated for it.

It says on the website and official book that if you leave during the test because you're sick, you can't have that test scored.

The anxiety of testing causes stomach issues, which further amplifies the anxiety, which further amplifies the stomach issues. It's a vicious cycle.

 

[tennisball80]

............

 

[tennisball80]

I've actually been diagnosed and medicated for it.

Have you talked to your physician to receive a medical advice regarding how to overcome the anxiety on a test?

 

[AryaStark]

If you look at the exams portion of the HS forums, we just had a debate about a similar topic. You are one of the types of people I was referencing. I would recommend that you go see a cognitive behavioral therapist. If this is a severe issue, the doctor/therapist will be able to give you some tips and tricks to help control your stress during times of exams and during other stressful experiences that will help you take the focus from the stress and put it to use on the test. If this doesn't work for you, I too would recommend Immodium. Although it's not healthy long term, taking it one day would help suppress the stomach ache . Additionally, don't eat any fruits or vegetables or basically anything high in fiber before the exam. These types of food will cause you to have to use the bathroom. When I took the exam (and it was out of 1600) they gave you breaks in between each exam. I can't remember how long the tests were but I think they were short enough that if you had to go to the bathroom 20 minutes in- you'd be able to make it to the bathroom. The bathroom breaks were long enough to go. So don't worry about it as much as you are. Focus on the material, and then perhaps the nerves won't be as severe.

 

[rockaction]

I had some GI malfunctions the day of my MCAT. Part nerves, part stomach issues unrelated. I have a very weak stomach and these kinds of problems occur every once in a while...the anxiety must have made it flare up. I felt like crap. I had to rush to the bathroom between every section!

Just don't let it freak you out. Trust me - you may feel so focused that you won't notice. I knew I didn't feel in my top shape physically before start, but I knew I wouldn't likely feel much better anyway. So man up, take that test, and smoke it.

Then run down the hall to the bathroom between each section.

 

[schrizto]

Probably won't make you feel better, but this really happened at a school near me. Some guy crapped himself during the SAT, and the test had to be stopped because it started to smell and they had to file a test disruption report to CB. Everyone's score in that room was cancelled.

Do you get this anxiousness/diarrhea during every big test?

 

[xnfs93hy]

I believe you misunderstand my concerns.

Anxiety is what causes my stomach issues. I rarely have them except when I'm anxious.

It's natural for people to be anxious before taking a test, but my anxiety isn't just typical high school "i-don't-want-to-take-this-stupid-test" anxiety, I've actually been diagnosed and medicated for it.

It says on the website and official book that if you leave during the test because you're sick, you can't have that test scored.

The anxiety of testing causes stomach issues, which further amplifies the anxiety, which further amplifies the stomach issues. It's a vicious cycle.

I have the same problem.

You just have to man up and do it.

 

[huskerdye]

Stop worrying about it. That's how it wont affect you..

 

[dancingdoc1]

Probably won't make you feel better, but this really happened at a school near me. Some guy crapped himself during the SAT, and the test had to be stopped because it started to smell and they had to file a test disruption report to CB. Everyone's score in that room was cancelled.

This literally made me laugh out loud. Thanks for that!

 

[xnfs93hy]

Probably won't make you feel better, but this really happened at a school near me. Some guy crapped himself during the SAT, and the test had to be stopped because it started to smell and they had to file a test disruption report to CB. Everyone's score in that room was cancelled.

Do you get this anxiousness/diarrhea during every big test?

lol

"Oh god, it's comin' out!"

 

[CScull]

... I find this whole thread a tad disturbing.

1. It's only a test; one that you can retake as many times as you like. If you need to leave, then you can take it again later.

2. If you have digestive problems that are so severe that you're afraid of getting diarrhea during the ACT, then perhaps you should see someone about that. Or invest in a diaper.

 

[Future Doc1]

... I find this whole thread a tad disturbing.

1. It's only a test; one that you can retake as many times as you like. If you need to leave, then you can take it again later.

2. If you have digestive problems that are so severe that you're afraid of getting diarrhea during the ACT, then perhaps you should see someone about that. Or invest in a diaper.

Lol

that's kind of messed up CScull; this guy needs sympathy, empathy and
reasurrance or something like that.

You be nice!! Lol I'm kidding but he does need some positive reinforcement so don't assume it's just a simple case of test anxiety.

 

[CScull]

Lol

that's kind of messed up CScull; this guy needs sympathy, empathy and
reasurrance or something like that.

You be nice!! Lol I'm kidding but he does need some positive reinforcement so don't assume it's just a simple case of test anxiety.

I'm in a bad mood... putting off studying for a psychology test will do that to you.



Besides, it's not like what I said wasn't true...

 

[Future Doc1]

I'm in a bad mood... putting off studying for a psychology test will do that to you.



Besides, it's not like what I said wasn't true...

Maybe...

 

[DylanAsdale]

... I find this whole thread a tad disturbing.

1. It's only a test; one that you can retake as many times as you like. If you need to leave, then you can take it again later.

2. If you have digestive problems that are so severe that you're afraid of getting diarrhea during the ACT, then perhaps you should see someone about that. Or invest in a diaper.

Yes, I'm sure someone who doesn't have anxiety would find the thread disturbing.

And that is the point, if you don't have the problem, and only have insults to add to the discussion, then please don't act like a child and respond if it's so disturbing to you. Thank you.

 

[Gallix23]

Yes, I'm sure someone who doesn't have anxiety would find the thread disturbing.

And that is the point, if you don't have the problem, and only have insults to add to the discussion, then please don't act like a child and respond if it's so disturbing to you. Thank you.

I was never diagnosed medically with anxiety, but I have some of the same fears you do about things like this. For example, when I had to sit for the SAT and ACT, I also had that "trapped" feeling which gets your mind racing to all sorts of drastic catastrophe's that are the product of your mind only, you have to remember that.

Since you know that you have anxiety, that should help you. I know when I'm on a train or something and I start feeling like my stomach is acting up or something, I just calm myself down by telling myself it is just my anxiety and that I'll be fine. With some positive thinking like that, your parasympathetic nervous system can fire quicker, giving you that wave of calm which I'm sure you've felt before.

Just know that you are never "trapped," the proctors that do the ACT and SAT have hearts and if, in the UNLIKELY event that it isn't a product of your mind and you really have to use the bathroom, just quietly walk up and explain. Everyone else will be too absorbed in their work to notice you, and I think they only cancel the scores if they suspect cheating, and going to the bathroom doesn't mean cheating (for most people...).

If you can keep yourself calm enough to sit down in the room and let them hand the test out to you, your mind will be so focused on your work after a little while that you're anxiety will dissappear.

And as a side note: man, some of you guys need to show a little more compassion instead of jumping to your flame guns. This is a legimate thread with a legitimate topic, he clearly has seen a specialist about his problem which is the first step to curing it, and now he just needs some reassurance, so lighten up a little. And he's right, you don't know what you're talking about until you experience it yourself.

 

[orthomyxo]

Probably won't make you feel better, but this really happened at a school near me. Some guy crapped himself during the SAT, and the test had to be stopped because it started to smell and they had to file a test disruption report to CB. Everyone's score in that room was cancelled.

Do you get this anxiousness/diarrhea during every big test?

Well jeez...it's not THAT hard of a test.

 

[xnfs93hy]

Well jeez...it's not THAT hard of a test.

 

[indianjatt]

LOL getting a diaper just made me lol irl.

 

[Mopp22]

... I find this whole thread a tad disturbing.

I think this thread is hilarious!

 

[bellaboo]

Don't worry about it. I have issues with stomach cramps and anxiety, and I survived it. They're gonna give you a break in the middle, so don't worry about not making. Plus some of them are really nice.

 

[NotSur]

bring pepto bismol with you. and if something goes really bad, hopefully u're taking the test early enough that u can cancel and retake at a later date. try not to overthink it! that's the worst part!

 

[bananaface]

Probably won't make you feel better, but this really happened at a school near me. Some guy crapped himself during the SAT, and the test had to be stopped because it started to smell and they had to file a test disruption report to CB. Everyone's score in that room was cancelled.

Do you get this anxiousness/diarrhea during every big test?

A guy had a grand mal seizure while one of my classmates was taking the PCAT and the proctor just went on with things.