I've had several anxiety attacks at work in the past couple of weeks where I'm an art teacher of middle school students. I have difficult groups right now, and fist fights and bullying have broken out in my classroom, after which I find myself unable to breathe, and feeling panicked. This all happens before lunch, but I continue with these symptoms for the rest of the day. I hate it! In the past, I would have gone to my physician asking for Xanax, but I know I am prone to become addicted to this medication, have revealed this to him, and feel i must deal with this situation on my own. I've worked at this same small middle school now for 18 years, and have never had such problems. I'm wondering if it's me and a gradual inability to cope, or just this group of hellions. I feel incompetent!
Patty