[Ashley0000]

Hi,
I'm 18 years old and will be graduating from high school in less than 2 months-and going on to college. I suffer from severe(and i mean severe) panic attacks-and I'm terrified how I'm going to handle this in college w/o my mom and dad and my own home to feel comfortable in. Does anyone have any advice for me?? Please help!!

[Peanut61]

Hi Ashley, and WELCOME. Good for you that you have continued in high school and are soon to graduate. Congratulations!

The key re: expanding out your safety zone is gradual exposure to the new environs.

Do you know where you will be going to college? Is it in another town/state?

Hope you will post again.

Regards, Peanut

<font color=blue>HI FROM PEANUT</font color=blue>

[nightdream]

Hi Ashley,

Congratulation on deciding to go to college!!!

College will probably be next september is it? So you still have time in front of you to check and get to know where you will be going. If it's in another city go there as often as you can before college to know a bit about the city, familiarise with it. Try to found out if maybe another student from your school right now will be going to same college as you.

Try to put in your mind this is another step in your life, a different path, a new adventure where you will be discovering other things, meet new people, new friends. See a bit more about this world, open new horizons. There will be people same age as you and some will be as scare as you.

You can always keep a close touch with your familly by phone, computer, visits and of course with us here.

Keep coming here sweety, we understand and we will help you!

(((((((((((((((((((((((Ashley)))))))))))))))))))))))))))))

nightdream

[bptoo]

Ashley,

Welcome to the forums! First, congrats on this accomplishment. Take a little time and think about all the hard work and effort you've put into reaching this point in your life. You should be very, very proud!

Along with the other suggestions, this came to mind. I don't know if you'll be staying in a dormatory, or an offsite apartment or whatever. But fill it with things that are familiar to you. Pillows, posters, stuffed animals, trinkets. You name it, bring it. Having familiar things around can make a transition like this much easier. And don't hesitate to call mom and dad a lot at first until you start to feel a little more comfortable. And you can come here and post, we'll be glad to help you thru as much as we can!

You can do this, it'll be rough for awhile, but you'll be OK.

Keep writing,
Greg

You can also contact the school mental health services and schedule appointments ahead of schedule so you can be sure to have someone to talk with about your anxiety.

Visiting with your folks is a great idea. Walking around, getting familiar with the layout will help. Going to their website and looking for maps might help. Even maps at mapquest of the surrounding area might make you relax a bit. To sorta know where you are in the world, you know?

Do you have some interests which might have groups on campus to join? That way you could get to know people with similar interest? Lots of things to things to think about. Let us know when you are leaving. We'll have plenty of ideas for you! Emmy

"If you want others to be happy, practice compassion. If you want to be happy, practice compassion." -- The Dalai Lama

[(JD)]

Welcome to the site! You have already received good advice from the others. May I add: contact the college and obtain the information they should have about staying safe on campus. Also, do contact your counselor, explain your disorder and see if they can accommodate any special needs you may have that might hinder your learning. (Extra time for testing, leaving class early to avoid the crowds...)

Congrats on your accomplishments so far! College is a great experience, and can be the most enjoyment you have had so far!

<font color=blue> meditation is a true way to connect to the Source </font color=blue>

[Ashley0000]

Hi everyone-
Thanks for the advice and input. I'm starting college @ Albertus Magnus in New Have, CT in late August(quickly approaching)--my dads house is only about 40 minutes away and he works in New Haven so there will be some comfort there. I really didn't choose Albertus because it was my #1 choice it was more of a comfort level thing. I am going to be living on campus in a dorm because I feel that if I don't I will regret it. I also plan on doing the dance team there since they don't offer track and athletics help keep the stress level down. The financial aspect of college is also stressing me out since they want $500 deposit in less than a month...anyways if you have anymore ideas please let me know...thanks a lot
Ashley

[dexter]

ashley it sounds like you are doing a lot of very positive things. i really like the idea of the dance team to relieve stress... you know what things work for you, and not having exactly what you want available you have found a very good alternative. That is a big deal.

i moved away from home (far) for college (i didn't have anxiety issues but i had other things going on) and it was one of the best things i ever did, learning to take care of myself independantly and figuring out what kind of person i was and who i wanted to be. my belief has always been that education is only one part of going to college. This could turn out to be a very very positive experience for you not just through college but for the rest of your life.

Keep posting here, one thing you can count on is that if any little anxieties or insecurities pop up we are always here to be supportive. If you find this place a good fit for you, by August you will have some good friends here to offer help and lend an ear.

------------------------------------
--http://www.idexter.com

[Butterfly_Faerie]

Try your best, ask yourself many question like...

What's the worst that can happen? Ok you may feel panicky, but you know it goes away, panic attacks never stay around

Will I pass out in class? Nope

Will I die if I have sevre anxiety? Nope

Also do alot of relaxation, take it step by step.

This is what I do.

I tell myself to get out of bed and get changed, I don't have to go

I get changed, ok just get out of the door.... I get out of the door.

Ok I know that i'm ok, even though i'm a bit anxious, but it's normal, I'm ok, I will just get into the car and drive there, but I don't have to go.

Ok i'm here I might as well go into the door, I can always turn around.

Now i'm in the door, the anxiety is gone, time to go the interbview.

The one bad thing is that I gave myself may opprotunity's to back out, but i know that if I take a step at a time it can be one. Also use alot of postive self talk, say things even if you don't believe them.

What is your fear about college anyways?

I do not know if i've helped i hope so.

Have you read any self help books? Those are good too, get a better understanding about what's going on.

Here are 2 books that have helped me with anxiety and panic, the first one being the best.

Don't Panic - By R.Reid Wilson PH.D

The Anxiety & Phobia Workbook third edition- By Edmund J Bourne, PH.D

I know how bad panic attacks can be, I suffered them so bad that I couldn't leave my house.

I rarely panic now, but I do get anxiety, but now I can talk myself out of them, you just have to believe that you can do something, and you will.

Take care of you.

I have posted about anxiety I believe in this thread somewhere, just look for my name.

Take care.

<font color=red>~Sundance~</font color=red>

<font color=blue>"Never react emotionally to criticism. Analyze yourself to determine whether it is justified. If it is, correct yourself. Otherwise, go on about your business."</font color=blue>

<font color=black>Norman Vincent Peale</font color=black>

[(JD)]

sundance that's exactly what I do.. ( to get to physical therapy and psychologist sessions)... try and get dressed, I don't have to go...

omg. yep. it works .

<font color=blue> meditation is a true way to connect to the Source </font color=blue>

[Butterfly_Faerie]

hahaha SEE IT DOES YAY !!

I do this all the time when it comes to job interviews, especially that, or first day of work even, hell anytime I get anxiety whether its that or going to a club... I always let myself believe that there is a way out, and I never take it.. I did in the past but not now.

<font color=red>~Sundance~</font color=red>

<font color=blue>"Never react emotionally to criticism. Analyze yourself to determine whether it is justified. If it is, correct yourself. Otherwise, go on about your business."</font color=blue>

<font color=black>Norman Vincent Peale</font color=black>

[Ashley0000]

The problem with the college that I am attending is that it is very small (only 400 kids live on campus)-and only 1000 attend all together. They don't have an on-campus counseling facility that I am aware of-what they told me is that the health center can make refferals to students with mental health conditions and wish to obtain assistance. But the thing is if i'm paying 25,000 a year shouldn't I be able to get counseling on campus free of charge???I only recently found this out-and am not quite sure what to do. High School is winding down-and I am getting more and more stressed my parents keep reminding me that I will soon be off at college-and that really scares me I don't know if I'm ready-but I have to do this to show everyone and especially myself that my anxiety isn't going to stop me from living my life-its already stopped me from doing so much. If you were me who would you contact at the college in order to find out what I should do, because before I walk through those doors on August 23rd I want to make sure that I have resources I can go to if I need to. HELP!

[Butterfly_Faerie]

Why don't you just contact the health center in the area you are going to college and ask them about fees, and what is free ect because of the money situation.

I'm lucky I don't have to pay for my psychiatrist cause OHIP covers it here in Canada, i'm lucky I guess.

I'm sure there will be something there though.

As for your parents sending you reminders, how about telling them not too because it is making your nervous? I know whenever I feel like I'm feeling rushed ect I get panicky.

You will be fine, remember it's ok to feel anxious and nervous, alot of people are going to feel that way, but once you are there and know some people, the layout ect you will like it better, anticipatory anxiety is the worse! I hate it. ... but you will be ok, just remind yourself that.


<font color=red>~Sundance~</font color=red>

<font color=blue>"Never react emotionally to criticism. Analyze yourself to determine whether it is justified. If it is, correct yourself. Otherwise, go on about your business."</font color=blue>

<font color=black>Norman Vincent Peale</font color=black>