[seeker1950]

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

I hope you will talk to your doc about some options--maybe meditation or biofeedback if you don't want to take meds.--Suzy

[bebop]

Patty is sounds like your students are causing this. kids today seem to reek havoc in schools. at least here in Atlanta they do. send those students out of the classroom as soon as you hear them.

[Soidhonia]

Hello I hope things are better for you at this time. It sounds like you need a physical and it could be hormones, I have this same problem when I get a hormonal imbalance. Also with the flus and colds going around it may have caused this as well. It is really hard to say but you should try to get a physical, and have your hormones checked and tell your Psych Dr if you have one what is happening as well in case you need some medication for the panic attacks. I hope things go better for you soon Take care soidhonia

Patty......it's the hellions......it's happening everywhere. everywhere. hardly a day goes by that something doesn't happen in the public school system in austin.......(that makes the papers)

please, please don't beat yourself up over this. talk to your doctor about something mild. i take .05 xanax and am not worried about that size dosage. plus, your doc may know of something else to help you.

everything has changed, patty, since we were pre-teens/teens. children have been exposed to too much with too little supervision at home. you're a victim, in my eyes, of this generation of parents.

love ya, pat PM or E.mail me if you need to........

how about a teachers aid helping you in the classroom or even some of the kids parents as vollunteers. or even asking the pricipal or the school security people to make surprise visits to the room. Most kids can sense when a teacher is having a hard time but usually settle down if there is more than one. That might help with the amount of fighting going on in the classroom.

your family physician can prescribe medication that may help or adjust your medication if you already have medication.

Talking and brainstorming with a therapist can also help.

Hang in there

[seeker1950]

One of the major reasons for this continued behavior is there is no help from the administration. They are actually "enablers" and kids come back to my class all cocky, like "nothing's going to happen to me." Today I was actually verbally, and nearly physically, abused by two boys. In another class, a Behavior Disorder student stated he was "going to kill someone." The ***'t principal was there and after repeated request/demands from him to the student to come with him, he (principal) threatened to call the law! After that, the student went with him, but I actually wish the deputy had been called!
NO...it's not hormonal. I went thru that in my early 40's. I'm 56, and evened out now, though it was a good suggestion.
Thanks, all of you for your responses. I wasn't so upset or anxious today, despite the bad experiences, which are becoming a daily occurrence. Maybe I'm getting toughened and immune. I don't want to resort to Xanax, although I LOVE it!
Patty

[biplol]

{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{patty}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}} PM me if you need to vent~

hope you had a much better day!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!