Hello all,
I have been extremely busy and have ‘t had the chance to come back onto this site in a long time. But currently I am stuck in a situation and would appreciate any advice, opinions, or help/support I can receive from any fellow users.
Recently, some of my old anxiety issues resurfaced in a way worse than they were before. A few weeks ago I had a panic attack at school and immediately ran out into the hall, where I began crying and feeling nauseous, causing me to chug water, hoping it would refresh me and calm me down. From there I got myself into a tizzy and continued shaking and hyperventilating. I went to the nurse and they immediately sent me home. I stayed the home the following next two days where my stomach was in knots of fear of this happening again. (I would like to mention I have stomach issues where I get a bad yeast buildup from food in my GI tract, causing pain and other problems which I worry about affecting my schoolife, which it did). I knew I had to face my fears so I went back and sure enough an hour in, it happened again. A couple weeks went by, and I have tried every strategy, therapy, and talking myself down but I cannot make it through a school day!!! I finished the quarter with strong grades and I’m falling behind now a lot. My parents who are both teachers understand the legalities of the absences and explained to the school what is happening. I need time to start my anxiety medications as well as my GI supplements to fully regain control of my body and mental health. I have a history of severe anxiety, paranoia, OCD, as well as irrational stress that physically makes me sick. All of these are resurfacing, and I need help. My parents are meeting with my pediatrician on Friday to inform him of what’s been going on and they reached out to the school to find an alternative learning option for the rest of the schoolyear. I’m in tenth grade, in NYS, so if anyone could suggest what to do, really I would love to hear anything to help ease my mind. Please. I’m at a loss and dead end and I need help through this. Thank you so very much, I will accept any response!
Your mental health is the most important thing right now. If you get this under control, you will be in much better shape for your future. You may even need to take a leave of absence just until your medication and therapy begins to work. This is perfectly okay. You can resume school as soon as you are well. There is absolutely no race to the finish line.
I’m very glad your parents are supportive of your needs right now. I too suffer from anxiety and have found guided breathing to be very helpful. I started by using my fitbit - there’s a component that walks you through a five minute breathing cycle. Then I added a guided meditation component, and finally have downloaded an app called “Calm” that a friend told me about. These have been really helpful tools for me which I have used in conjunction with therapy. I hope you are able to get things worked out, take care of yourself.
Sounds like you have understanding and supportive parents - lean on them and your pediatrician to help you get some control of your symptoms. Your health is more important than anything - everything else can be handled !
You mention needing to start your anxiety meds - were you on them previously? Or just starting? You might be surprised that the right medication with the guidance of your doctor will with a little time make life and your physical symptoms so much better!
In addition to your parents and doctor if you have anyone else you trust and can talk to don’t hesitate to express your feelings to them - people in your life want to help you!
One step at a time!
I am also in NYS and a friend’s son had very similar issues. The public school provided a private tutor to meet with him at home so he could keep up with his classes. Eventually, he was able to matriculate back into the regular public high school and has just been accepted to a great college. Your parents are teachers and so I’m sure they are well aware of all the services that are available to you. I’m only posting this to let you know that there are many different pathways and even if you have to take a break, it is not forever. You should be able to get healthy at your own pace and then go on to have a great life.
Omg!!! Such touching answers!!! Thank you all so much! I got emotional reading these!! So today the appointment with my doctor went well and he prescribed two medications for anxiety and panic and thinks coniciding that with therapy will work well and my school was so kind and accomodating! They said I can continue to ease into things and work from home until my meds and therapy start to help me ease back into things! as @Massmomm suggested! Thank you everyone! You are all amazing and phenomenally articulate people who voiced advice that really left me in a more positive attitude! @gallentjill @abasket @sabaray
This may seem shallow and uncaring, but I’m serious:
Try listening to music by Jack Johnson, Enya, and classical/baroque/romantic music: Mozart, Beethoven, Bach, Haydn, Handel, Brahms, Chopin, Tchaikovsky, Schubert, etc. If you want more specific suggestions, PM me.
And breathing: in through the nose, out through the mouth. Slowly.
So, so glad you are getting help and putting your well-being first! This is the right thing to do.
Great news on your appt. - it feels good to have a plan doesn’t it?! Everyone is on your side and will help you get to a comfortable place for school - and life!
Has your pediatrician ever suggested you get evaluated at an endocrinologist’s office? And a gastroenterologist?
I’m curious if either of those specialities could provide a piece to the puzzle?
Best of luck to you!
Sorry you’re experiencing this! Can you try to identify the triggers of a panic attack and then brainstorm ways to respond differently? For me it’s the realization of a deadline I’d forgotten about or an important meeting. I go into crisis mode, irrationally terrified that Something Bad Will Happen. I now try to ask myself what do I think is really going to happen. People might get annoyed or angry but no one is going to roast me over hot coals (or even medium-warm ones). Then I take a deep breath and it sometimes calms me down.
@writer80, hugs! You sound a lot like my daughter. With weekly counseling and meds, she is doing great as a college sophomore. I am SO glad you are getting help and support! Hang in there! 
There is a possibility that yeast infections can cause anxiety and panic attacks. You should explore that possibility. It could be your diet.
I have so been where you are, my friend. I use to suffer frequent panic attacks when I was your age, and fear of them ruled my days, so reading your post made me want to hug you. I’m so glad you are being supported by your parents and the school. People who have never suffered from panic disorder often have no idea how crippling it can be, and have no frame of reference for understanding why you have them in the first place. I do have to say that, in the wake of the Stoneman-Douglas school shooting, I can totally see why students vulnerable to panic disorder might suffer a setback. It makes total sense to me. Is it possible this factors into your relapse? You deserve to feel safe, and hopeful for your future. I wish you love, peace of mind and every happiness.
Thank you all again very much! I will continue to try anything to make me feel better and I feel so much better after having confided in such an understanding and sincere community! @poetsheart @gouf78 @MaineLonghorn @Classof2015 @Midwest67