Studying

[tashaann_]

Hi Everyone!

I am currently a business student at Tafe college. I have been there for five months now and loved the first semester although my anxiety flared up now and again; My lecturer was really supportive and I was only in a quiet class (3 OTHER STUDENTS) with four subjects to do so my workload wasn't that stressful either.

Tomorrow is my first day of semester 2. I am now starting the business class with around 15 people and the lecturer has informed me that it will be a very full on class now as this is what I need to pass.

My anxiety is now at its worst form, panic attacks, shaking, sweating, stomach pain, sickness, dizziness.

Would like to know if anyone else is in the same boat or have any helpful tips on how to cope?

Thanks! 🙂

[highlysensitivepersonhsp]

Have you heard of grounding yourself? It's where to connect with the here and now via the five senses. It's useful during panic attacks and other physical symptoms.

You focus your attention on what you can see, hear, feel, touch, or taste. Right now I am seeing my iPad and my dining table. I notice the colours, the shapes, the materials. I hear the traffic outside my house. The cars are about one minute apart. I feel my hands using the keyboard as I strike each key. I taste the coffee in the cup I just prepared. It is warm and milky. Get the picture?

This exercise is supposed to take your mind off your thoughts that lead to panic. It buys you enough time to calm yourself. No matter where you are, you can connect with your senses and come back to the present rather than panic about a future situation that gives you anxiety.

I hope that helps, but I also hope you are being treated for your anxiety. Your GP is a good place to start. Beyondblue also has some resources via its website.

warm wishes,

sandra.

[MsPurple]

Hi tashaan and welcome.

I completely understand how you feel. I really struggled with anxiety when I was studying. I had a breakdown and one of my lecturers advised me to join disability services. They were fantastic. If you have a mental illness you are eligible to join (just need to fill in the paperwork and sometimes have to get your therapist to sign it). They help you by supporting you if your stressed out, offering counselling services (I went through headspace so didn't use this) and they can help with an academic plan individual to you and your needs. They do not discriminate and you will not feel stigmatised by joining them. I suggest you look into your Tafe disability services and give them a call. I wish I joined it earlier but I did find it was great to have some support in place

As hsp suggested if you haven't found someone to talk to about your anxiety go discuss it with your gp. I wish I didn't wait as long as I did to get help. Probably the best thing I did.

MP

[romantic_thi3f]

Hi tashaann_

Thanks for your post.

Just wanted to see how you got on with your first day of semester 2? I can understand that you're feeling a lot of anxiety right now but I also can see that you've been given some great advice so far.

It would be helpful for us to know what sorts of things you might have tried previously to help your anxiety; as there's lot of different ways to help cope but it's just about finding what works for you.

[tashaann_]

Thanks to everyone for getting back to me! My first day back was successful although it wasn't my first day back at business class that I was nervous about - that is tomorrow. I kept trying to focus on other things and kept a bottle of water close by because I always get hot flushes and knowing that was close by helped me. 🙂

[romantic_thi3f]

Hi tashaann_

I just saw this post from yesterday so it looks as though you may have had the class today! How did it go? How are you feeling about it?

A bottle of water sounds great for hot flushes! Sometimes people bring little spritz bottles of water with their face which can help too. There's lot of neat little ones that fit in your handbag so it's nice and subtle.

[MsPurple]

Tashaann how was your first day of business class?

I hate it when I get hot flushes with anxiety. It is really frustrating when physical symptoms also come into play. I usually just breath in and hold my breath for 3 seconds and breath out. That sometimes helps me when I'm in class and don't want to leave