panic attacks at school

[MyDarkestNight.]

Just gonna ramble about what happened this morning

I had a panic attack in maths today. It was first lesson.
I think I've just let things build up too much, but it hasn't happened like that so suddenly and for what seemed like no reason for years.
I was just sitting there, (next to my friend thankfully), and I was watching the teacher and realising that I havn't had a clue what she's been teaching us since before christmas. I was worried that she was going to ask me a question. My heart starting racing and I tried to breathe slowly but I couldn't control it. Then my heart got even faster and my hands started shaking and my breath started choking. I had my hand over my mouth, despretly trying not to make a noise. My friend was concentrating and didn't see anything. Then I was full on hyperventalating and I was shaking and crying, it was beyond embarasing but there was nothing I could do. People had seen me by now and were turning to look at me. My friend kept asking what was wrong.
Then I stood up and ran out.
As soon as I got out of the room I took my hand away from my mouth and hyperventilated VERY loudly. I was lightheaded and thought I was going to pass out. So I leaned against a wall and collapsed.
I was extremely dizzy and still panicking when a few seconds later my maths teacher came out. She was really good, she helped me up and helped get my breathing back to a healthier level. After about 2 minutes I was calm enough to speak. I went down to the office and by second lesson the whole thing was over.

I thought that I was good at controlling panic by now, apparently not.

[phoenixfire]

Well panic attacks come out of nowhere, when you least expect it! My first one was when I was on a night out when I was about 21. I was chatting to a guy, and we both liked each other. I had had a bit of a pain in my chest all evening - a bit like a pulled muscle and I didn't think anything of it.

Anyway, about 10 minutes into talking with this guy the pain suddenly got worse and I could not breath. My heart started pounding and everything started spinning. I doubled over in pain and all I could pant was "....I...can't...breath....". The poor guy started panicking worse than me and sprinted over to his friends and practically dragged them over. I was hyperventilating so bad that I started seeing stars - meanwhile the group of guys thought I was having a heart attack and were screaming at each other to call an ambulance. Then I blacked out and woke up in an ambulance with my friends.

I had got bad news a few days before about my mum being terminally ill and hadn't given myself time to slow down and think about things. All the panic attacks I have had (I am almost 30 - so I have had a lot) were because I carried on as normal when I was not feeling normal. If there is something upsetting you please acknowledge it. Every morning before you go to school write a list of what is bothering you and what is making you feel good about life. That was you have acknowledged your feelings so they do not build up.

[Mc1423]

Awh I know how you feel; it's completely awful!
I only just started having panic attacks at the beginning of August. Sometime this winter, I was in my history class when my history teacher decided to start a conversation on drugs. My brother is a drug addict/dealer, so this was a tough subject for me. Anyways, my teacher proceeded to tell a story about this really smart kid who went to University of Iowa, got into some drugs, and then he tried to get help. The help didn't work for him, and he got so deep into it that he couldn't get out and ended up committing suicide. My brother went to University of Iowa, too, and that's where he got into drugs, so I just couldn't stop imagining that he would commit suicide, too! I started to feel anxious, so I curled up into a ball in my desk and then i started shaking, hyperventilating, and crying. That awful feeling in your chest came and I knew I was having a panic attack, which only made it worse. I couldn't move.. All my friends were looking at me bawling my eyes out in the middle of class and they were all like "omg are you ok?" which only made it worse... I appreciate that they cared, but I didn't want them to see me like that. It lasted a good 10 minutes and subsided after a while of normal conversation.

[MyDarkestNight.]

phoenixfire,thankyou, good idea I'm going to try it. Get what you mean about the carrying on as normal thing, there's only so long you can keep feelings that strong hidden. Sorry about your mum, stay strong xx

mc1423, that must have been horrible, schools are enough stressful places without panic attacks too
no matter how bad it is when it happens to you I try to remember that to other people it doesn't seem as bad as you think, they can't feel it xx

[elzie]

Ohhh angel I know how you feel I went through 2 years of panic attacks when I was in school, quite a few years ago now. I'm 21 now and I do not suffer with them now.

Having panic attacks is quite common, especially in people who are at school because of pressure. Always carry around a paper bag to breathe in when you have a panic attack, or cup your hands over your mouth. You have to get into a zone to think you can control the attack. If you sit there and be like "IT WONT STOP I CANT DO IT" it'll take longer. You need to get your mind into a positive place. When you have an attack think of good things...people who suffer PA have very vivid imaginations which can lead to the whole going ott thing. Tell yourself in class that you're doing well, it's easy, it'll get easier, you know this etc. If you don't think "I don't know this, but I'll ask after class." "It's ok to pass on one question.." etc.

[MyDarkestNight.]

Thank you Elzie, I had a panic attack last night at about 12.30 which usually would have meant being up all night and crashing all day (I get worried that I'm going to have a heart attack if I sleep after a panic attack, I know, irratianal) but I managed to calm myself down and was calm by 2am Thanks for your advice xx

[jennaruth]

I know exactly how you feel..I had a panic attack 2 nights ago about my foreign language class..I realized I had no idea how to translate anything!! I just get so stressed and worked up about everything. If I make a list of all the things I need to do (on paper or in my head), it helps me calm down to see the organization. Maybe that will help?

[studioJ]

rambling is good. sometimes keeping it inside is what knocks you down...

[these-radiant-shadows]

I have these, too. I know how that is. I just want to drop out but...they can be controlled if you get them treated. Not cured, but controlled.

[driven2change]

I get these ALL THE TIME. It's rough, I know:/. Hang in there! xx