Going to School with Emet

[paulcates]

Emet is taking over my school life right now. I've skipped class and almost got my PSAT test destroyed for "cheating" when I reached for gum in my bag to hold back the n* feeling.
Does anyone have any advice for me on what to do? My biggest problem is that when I feel n*, I have panic attacks because I'm in a room full of kids with no way of escaping when all I want to do is go outside or crouch in the bathroom until I feel better enough to face the class again. How can I control this enough so I don't panic and I'm not totally embarrassed in my class?

THANKS SO MUUUUCCCCHHH!!!

[jamie77]

Try sitting in one of the desks closest to the door.
I push myself to stay in class when I start having a panic attack (it's gotten easier over time) and at times I have had to write just breathe...inhale,exhale,inhale,exhale repeatedly in my notebook. That seems to help me focus and talk myself down.
Stick with it, you'll be ok.

[icicledreamz]

I know it may be embarassing, but try talking to your teachers about your anxiety problems..it helped me alot, if i needed to go get some air because i was having a panic attack they would let me because they knew about my anxiety and panic attack problems

[prncesspnk]

i completely agree with icicledreamz! and i know that in high school,
you're not really allowed to carry pills with you, but maybe you could
get permission to carry around some dramamine with you or leave
some at the nurse's office just so that you feel secure. if you can,
buy some ginger candies to carry with you... they ease n* and settle
the stomach. and if you're feeling n* or panicky, practice deep
breathing (like jamie said), which is easy to do and not noticeable.
you can also tense your muscles (you can pretend to be stretching or
w/e) and hold them there, then release... this helps with anxiety a
LOT. focus on a place you consider to be safe. and when you're
anxious, you've got a lot of pent up anxiety, so ask for a bathroom
pass or w/e and go for a little walk and use that time to talk yourself
down and convince yourself you're ok because you are! i completely
understand what you're going through. i never thought i would make
it through high school, but here i am, a senior in college. good luck!
you can do it!

[paulcates]

Thanks a lot! I've been putting of telling my teachers (most people don't know what emet is and I hate explaining it because I have to say the V word), but I will definatly do that. I need to make it as easy as possible to get out of the room.

[taner]

Telling your teacher is definitely a good idea. I did that and it helped a lot. Most are very understanding. All it takes is a bit of honesty and it can go a very long way with people. Last year i had a breakdown pretty much and my teacher let me do tests and stuff at later dates, because it was hard to stay on top of everything all the time.

Also writing phrases over and over definitely helps.

[prncesspnk]

if you're not comfortable talking about v*, try telling them about your
anxiety in general.