When PTSD hits me at work, it is the worst. I am a teacher too and last year, I was triggered all of the time. When I feel unsafe, it really creates huge issues for me. I know how hard it is when you are a teacher, because it is not like you can just leave. I am in a new school this year and feeling much safer. I have other teachers who i really connect with and they are supportive and kind even though they do not know about my PTSD. I have only had a few flashbacks at work this year, but I always have 2 lessons planned-one "just in case" I am not OK-something they can do independently while I take a minute to breathe and calm down, and my regular lesson. I hope it gets better for you. ((hug)))

Thank you, fellow PTSD survivor and--teacher! Wow. This place works wonders. I'm amazed at when I cough up a problem here, I get connected with by somebody who understands from experience. That's half the battle for me. It means so much...so much! I don't have "the answer," but I'm not hiding how I feel, I can express it here. Hiding PTSD anxiety only makes my anxiety escalate. I'm still anxious, but the spiral upwards stopped when I read that you understood me. Thanks again.

wow! I haven't been in a great place and self hate has been engulfing me all weekend. I can't believe that you think I said something that actually helped! That makes me feel a little better about myself and tonight, I needed that! Thanks!

Mujica, I think it's great that you recognize when you need support and speak up about what's going on. That's the most important first step b/c feeling scared, alone, trapped and cut off from other people makes the fear, anxiety and flashbacks worse. People who develop and use support systems and resources do far better than those who do not.

I've been accused recently of being "attention seeking" when things are really really bad off for me and after thinking it over closely I came to the conclusion that it's probably true but it's true in a positive way. I'm not seeking attention by acting out in ways that cause me problems such as breaking the law, drinking excessively or engaging is risky behaviors. I'm seeking attention by asking for help when I feel like I need it, by looking for information/education and advice where I know that information can be found and by getting feedback from other people including doing some reality testing when I feel overwhelmed by fear.

So the point here is that I see you doing much the same and that's half the battle with PTSD. Getting grounded, feeling connected to other people who at least understand what PTSD is and by choosing healthy ways of coping with it. Developing a strategy that allows you to be stable in your career is so very important and I'll support in this effort however I can.

aren't alone and although I'm not sure exactly how many people belong to Daily Strength, the "Members" shows at least 10 pages of approximately 25 members per page.

That's at least 250 heads being better than one. Good things happen with brains like this!

(((Hugs)))

Ooops sorry about the shoddy typing here.... The last bit SHOULD say....


YOU are not alone and although I'm not sure exactly how many people belong to Daily Strength, the "Members" shows at least 10 pages of approximately 25 members per page.

That's at least 250 heads being better than one. Good things happen with brains like this!

My brother's a teacher, and -- while he's a source of a few of my EARLY traumas -- we stay in a bit of touch.

From him, I gather that -- whether the cause of YOUR personal anxiety is PTSD or not -- if and when you go to other teachers, about a bad situation, or a difficult student, or the damnable politics -- you'll always find a supportive ear.

You don't have to wear your "Hey, I've got PTSD !!!!" sign -- in other words -- to get support from your colleagues.

It's my sense that these sources of frustration are a very shared experience, within education.

Just an aside: I think teachers are one of our most precious, and under-appreciated resources, so ... THANK YOU ... for doing what you do !

As always, I wish you peace, health, and strength.

Thanks for the help, each and every one of you. It worked! By the time I asked for support here, I had rehearsed how to ask my boss for support in case the kid acted out in class. He didn't after all, but the thing for me was establishing with my boss that I'm worthy of support. My PTSD issues make me doubt that, make me doubt my perception of the issue because my anxiety amplifies it.

I know it sounds silly to others, but I'm sure you understand from experience what it's like not to know if you're making a mountain out of a molehill, so to speak. Speaking here gives me a chance to vent about it before talking to my boss, as in someone who doesn't have PTSD and who couldn't understand how something so small could feel so big to me.

You guys are the best. I not only had a good day, but I think I got some more trust and respect from my boss for the way I was able to talk to her after opening up about my fears here. This site is the best!