Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Support Group
Find support with others who have gone through a traumatic experience. Whether you have chronic or acute PTSD, we are here for you.
Wow, its interesting having PTSD and finding yourself teaching college nstudents with PTSD, both those who are in PTSD recovery and those who are not in PTSD recovery. And when they surface to you ON THE SAME DAY. HELP!
1. First the rewarding story. Today I had the COOLEST conversation with an adult non traditional student from my Death and Dying class at the college. She came by my office today and told me she is in recovery from PTSD. Shes finding what shes learning about Kubler Ross and the stages of grief in our class helpful and that it reinforces what shes learned in her own therapy. She was so happy a professor understood her--and I hadnt even talked about my PTSD in class or anything. It was awesome. I was so happy, too.
2. Now the challenging story. Funny thing. Also today a different male student who was absent when I visited my Distance Learning studentssatellite campus to reassure them passed on a message through an adminstrator there. Seems hes wants me to know hes upset about something related to class, and he wants me to know its not DL related.
Sounds like he wants to work out a personal problem with me. Thing is, though, I dont know him. Hes a distance learning student to start with, and our distance learning hasnt been working well enough for us to have a real conflict anyway.
All I do know about him is that he has said hes a veteran. He said it in class once at the beginning of our course just referring oddly out of context to how he doesnt care how much his books cost, the VA pays. Administrators dont want to tell get involved in whatever problem he believes he has with me. If they know theyre not telling me whats bothering him at this point. But they did intimate that hes got the same kind of problem with instructors in other classes.
Im wondering if I could be dealing with a student whos stressed out by our Distance Learning machines problems, has PTSD, and has his anger triggered and wants to direct it at me. Its interesting to me he would skip class when I was at his satellite campus in person.
Great day in number 1 above, and Id like to know how to do well with number 2 here also, while taking care of myself in the situation as well.
Thoughts? Any help?
Muji
1. First the rewarding story. Today I had the COOLEST conversation with an adult non traditional student from my Death and Dying class at the college. She came by my office today and told me she is in recovery from PTSD. Shes finding what shes learning about Kubler Ross and the stages of grief in our class helpful and that it reinforces what shes learned in her own therapy. She was so happy a professor understood her--and I hadnt even talked about my PTSD in class or anything. It was awesome. I was so happy, too.
2. Now the challenging story. Funny thing. Also today a different male student who was absent when I visited my Distance Learning studentssatellite campus to reassure them passed on a message through an adminstrator there. Seems hes wants me to know hes upset about something related to class, and he wants me to know its not DL related.
Sounds like he wants to work out a personal problem with me. Thing is, though, I dont know him. Hes a distance learning student to start with, and our distance learning hasnt been working well enough for us to have a real conflict anyway.
All I do know about him is that he has said hes a veteran. He said it in class once at the beginning of our course just referring oddly out of context to how he doesnt care how much his books cost, the VA pays. Administrators dont want to tell get involved in whatever problem he believes he has with me. If they know theyre not telling me whats bothering him at this point. But they did intimate that hes got the same kind of problem with instructors in other classes.
Im wondering if I could be dealing with a student whos stressed out by our Distance Learning machines problems, has PTSD, and has his anger triggered and wants to direct it at me. Its interesting to me he would skip class when I was at his satellite campus in person.
Great day in number 1 above, and Id like to know how to do well with number 2 here also, while taking care of myself in the situation as well.
Thoughts? Any help?
Muji
They will come talk to me at breaks or afterwards, and ask or tell me personal things that just make me feel awkward. But, not wanting them to feel badly or feel self-conscious, I just play it off as best I can.
When I was in grad school, students in some of my classes did the same thing with the instructors.
I don't have any empirical evidence or anything else really, to cite, but it just seems to me that some people, for whatever reason, adopt an immediate familiar relationship with certain people in an authoritative role, and as a consequence, feel free to share any ol' thought or feeling without a second thought.
I think it tends to happen with instructors who seem the most approachable and down-to-earth. So it's kind of like a backwards compliment.
But the people that tend to overshare also seem to mix up disagreeing with the material or not liking some other aspect of the class with having a beef with the instructor.
It's all too personal for them for some reason.
I don't know if this will be the case with your guy, but it seems strange to me that he would mention the VA out of context. He apparently feels strongly that everyone should know that about him. And that he went to the administration without talking to you ever...he seems to feel entitled to something here...above normal channels. I'd watch out for anger with him,
But I'm usually overly cautious, take it with a grain of salt...
You wrote "I don't know if this will be the case with your guy, but it seems strange to me that he would mention the VA out of context."
Yeah, I noticed that 6 weeks ago.
So now that he wants to believe we have some concern of his to work out, I'm with you when you say ".he seems to feel entitled to something here...above normal channels. I'd watch out for anger with him."
Good reality check for me. Thanks!
Muji
My ex was always very curious to what I feel and see, since it sometimes crosses the veil of life and death. His army job, caused a lot of trouble,adding to his own childhood jobs. 101st Airborne, retrieving fallen( mostly dead or dying) soldiers, to return home, under fire. He was shot twice, doing this.
If your class isn't covering what he thought, he may be in a funk about it.
In which case refer him to a better source? Something more spiritual ( not religious) in the "After", beliefs?
I am dealing with my own choice, of "Holistic Stress therapy"
Great name, but syllabus not at all what I expected.I have been thinking of complaining about the name, to the college. It should be closer to.
"The Problems of Coding Psychological Diagnosis for the Digital Age."
But, because it may help down the road, I will try my best, even if the tech part gets to me.
Had I known that upfront? I would not have chose it.
J.
This summer, I experienced a friend having what I feel was a flashback as a result of something I'd done. Reality vanished from her perception, and I became a target of her anger.
I was offended at first, and wanted to retaliate. But, considering her past, and also having PTSD, I backed off, and let it be. I continue to pray for her, but the friendship has ceased. I hope she can progress in her own healing journey.
Whatever the case may be with this #2 student, I hope that in some way you can capitalize on the opportunity, just as happened with student #1, albeit may be with a different approach.
Your sharing here makes me want to be a student of yours...and then, I think, " But wait, I already am, in a sense"
Thanks for sharing, Muji.
So I asked if she would sit in if I meet with this student. I can't control whether this is a teaching moment for the student, but it is for me:
I'm asking for support instead of being afraid the situation will reveal my own PTSD vulnerabilities as a teacher.
Asking for support here and then asking for support at work, both.
This is the second time I've done that this semester. The first time was when I went on and on with that upper respiratory infection but was afraid to use a sick day at work to go to the doctor. You told me to assert my right to health and not be worried if my boss took it as the PTSD guy missing work. It worked out as you said acting on your advice, too.
I already feel more at peace just asking you for support and asking my boss for support with this student who is a veteran and may have untreated PTSD. It makes me wonder:
Why is it so hard for those of us in PTSD recovery to ask for support? I'm learning to come forward and not to hide.
Any thoughts?
1. Only make objective comments. Never editorialize
2. Do not engage or respond to topics that do not directly impact the educational process. I know it's tempting to comment on other issues they bring up, but it'll only bite you in the butt.
3. CC an administrator on ALL responses so they know you are documenting this with higher ups. It also covers yourself since there's then a record of all communication. Parents have no issues CC THEIR emails to me, so turn about is fair play.
Keep in mind that 1/10 of the population has a major problem processing reality; 1/3 have current mental health/emotional issues and 1/2 have been diagnosed with something at some point in their lives by 50. With those statistics, the odds are you've got a handful of students who are either tweaked, or deal with someone in their lives who are tweaked.
I think why some of "us" don't seek help is because many of "us" aren't diagnosed. Especially those of us with the complex variety.
My prediction- you will see a VAST influx of CPTSD student diagnoses of kids who come from dysfunctional households- or at least SHOULD BE. But that would mean that the family has proof that they messed up their kids, so I don't see mom or dad wanting THAT on their kids' files.
But think of the kids who do NOTHING in class, despite being smart. They may not be lazy or depressed- but suffering from dissociation or disengagement- NOT ADHD/inattentive.
It's such an issue. But I don't want CPTSD to also be diminished like bullying has. "Stop bulling me" is said all the time by kids to their FRIENDS- the word has lost its meaning. I don't want that to happen to PTDS- "You're triggering me!" I could see as being an excuse for kids to never curb their emotions. And otherwise "normal" kids would be accommodated and enabled to fly off the handle, not hand in classwork, etc. And then, instead of HELPING kids, the school system would actually CONTRIBUTE to getting in the way of their education.
Or what about kids' behaviors that trigger ME??? I ask kids to do simple requests (like give me their cell phone b/c they're not allowed to have it in class or to move their seats b/c they're talking) and they give me attitude?!?! My dad would have beat the crap out of me and I should just TAKE it???
So, yeah, teaching and PTSD? I've got some opinions on the matter!
As to your comment about how we're going to have more students with PTSD in the future I agree totally. Wouldn't it be amazing if the educational system established workshops for helping? You made me dream of such a possibility.
Meanwhile, keep the tips coming. THANKS. Seriously.
Muji
Hey now write up a syllabus and lesson plan, get in ahead of the game. All future teachers could use this. Then you will have another class to add to your roster, designed by you!....He he he ---Total Control and domination! ha!
Okay Gertie, sit.
My two year old has not found her voice(maybe because I accept she had no real power)
We may need a grant writer for funding,to go on field trips to a monastary, Buddist ashram and Soutwestern, Native American sacred place's(3) of healing.For different aspects of training.
1.http://iliketowastemytime.com/interesting-places-taktsang-monastery
2.http://www.baliclick.com/PlaceBali.asp?ID=10
3.native american places of worship
Hmmm. rattle rattle clink clink...the brain going into gear.
okay back in the box gertie
I think a class for special ed or just a general class for all education majors on dealing with the special emotional needs of students would be excellent.
As for the short term, I go back to school tomorrow to see if I've enlisted support from colleagues on how to deal with this student fellow. Learning to enlist support from colleagues is my way of following up on the advice here. Thanks, everybody.