Very Difficult Time

[aglinka]

Howdy!
Emet sufferer here with very severe panic attack. Can't be in class, is sweaty, exteremly nauseuous, afraid of throwing up, 10th grade in respectable private school.
School administration & parents seem to be bickering, noone is successful in getting me help (short explanation), and last announcement was from Dean of Students, that if I leave class once, then I'm gone for the day.
What should I do next? How can I cope with my panic attacks in class? Breathing doesn't help my nausea.
Feel free to ask questions, I will respond.

[mitch04133]

Sorry you are having a rough time, just try to remember, that the reason why you feel nausous is because of anxiety and panic. 99.9% sure you won't v*, promise. When I can't get up or leave cause of panic attacks, I suck on mints, peppermint is a natural anti-nausea medicine. I like altoids, they always take my mind of my anxiety and nausea. Have you had any therapy? Maybe the next time you go to the doctors you can ask for some anti-nausea meds. I hope you stay around this site, it has helped me through many rough times, and every one here is very supportive. Good luck.

Michele

[aglinka]

My parents don't want me seeing a therapist, regardless of how bad it is, so I'm a bit stuck there. My school, as of late, seems to be less and less supportive.


I will, however, try mints .

[kel12347]

Buy the Anxiety and Phobia Workbook by Bourne ($20 at Barnes and Noble, I got it for $13 off Amazon.com plus shipping), and start a little therapy yourself. The book is very good about explaining panic attacks and techniques to cope with them.


I don't know how much you know about panic attacks, so if you already know all this, feel free to skip over it. A panic attack feels like absolute hell, but it cannot cause you to faint, die, go crazy, have a heart attack OR v*. My therapist explained to me that the nausea I feel during panic attacks is due to the blood suddenly rushing away from my digestive system to other areas of my body. In addition, there is an enzyme that is also released into your stomach during a panic attack. I have had at leat 500 panic attacks in my life, and have never vomited from them.


The thing that is feeding your panic attacks is most likely your thoughts. Once you feel a little anxiety, you're probably thinking, "Oh no, what if I v*?" and other similar thoughts. Those thoughts just increase the level of anxiety and eventually cause the panic attack. So you need to stop those negative thoughts. Substitute a positive affirmation instead. I use "I am safe. I am not in danger." Repeat it over and over and over in your head until the anxiety goes away (and it will, eventually). If you need to, write the affirmation down. I have a whole notebook at work just filled with my affirmations.


As Michele suggested, gum and mints also help, but you should work on changing the thought patterns that cause the panic attacks too.


Hope this helps.

[shiva]

Just curious.. Why won't your parents let you see a therapist? Is there someone at school who can help you?


Just wanted to add that all the advice above is great advice. That book is a really good book (The Anxiety and Phobia Workbook), too if you get the chance to purchase it.

[tayda]

Your parents won't let you see a therapist? Does your school have one? Or maybe you have a teen health clinic in your area. You should look into alternative sources for help. And (at least here), if you go to see a therapist, they are legally bound to confidentiality unless you are planning to harm yourself or someone else. So I would look into a support group in your area. 75% of women will experience an anxiety attack in their life time! So your problem is not uncommon. Emetophobia is difficult to deal with in and of itself, but anxiety is very treatable, and there are copious methods of dealing with them between cognitive therapy or medication. So I hope you look into seeking further support, at least for the anxiety. (whereas, I could understand discussing emet w/ others would be wierd, due to their lack of ability to sympatize or empathize.) Good luck

[aglinka]

I'll try that, repeating to myself I'm safe and OK when fealing nauseous.


This happens to me 2-3 times a day, and I have that whole dizziness, helplessness thing going on.


Next time I get to B&N I'll order that book.


The school refuses to help me without parental consent, and I have no therapists within walking or biking distance of my house.

[babygap5]

I'm so sorry you are going through this. I know, what helps me, I think of a happy memory from childhood. I concentrate on that, what I was doing, what was the weather like etc. I then hum a little song in my head while replaying the memory over and over again. After about 10 minutes, I'm usually ok. Try talking with your parents again, explain to them that you are having anxiety attacks. As for the school, I'm shocked they won't help you without parental consent. Are there any teachers there that you are close to who you could confide in?

[aglinka]

I've been having a pretty tough time today.


They don't want to let me back into class, so I'm stuck in detention, where panic attacks come/go w/nausea.


I have told them I'm going back to class and am ready for long disciplinary issues. If the school doesn't care about me, I will.