In 2013 I was at school when the Arapahoe High School shooting took place. I had already had a major trauma happen to me in my life two years prior so I was already dealing with what at the times was undiagnosed PTSD and was in no way able to handle the shooting on top of that. I did manage to finish the rest of the semester at AHS until it was recommended I try online school since I had been having so many panic attacks and "episodes" at school, barley showed up for class etc. It has been extremely beneficial and I have not been back into a high school setting since which has been really helpful in my treatment.
All that to say, since then I have been diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder caused by both of the traumas in my life which can makes situations like the ACT difficult as the possibility of being triggered into a panic episode is very high. I've put off taking the ACT due to fear of going back into a school and this week is my last chance (I'm a senior now and really need to get my college applications out). I'm terrified of going back to a high school setting. Its not the same school but I'm still really anxious and if I have a panic attack and have to leave the room I won't be able to finish the test and won't be able to apply to college.
I don't know what to do. sad smile I forgot to mention this to my new therapist today and I don't know his policy on out of session contact so I don't know if I'm allowed to leave a short message asking for advice or not. But I honestly don't know what else to do. I can't miss the test but Im so scared of being back in a school that I don't know if I can do it.