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.
I've noticed we're really good here as PTSD folks to acknowledge when we may come off as "weird" or even "ridiculous," words from posts among us just today. It's really great that we have that self awareness and humility and check in with each other about it, asking for advice.
Nonetheless, we're not always the weirdest, even with all of our PTSD symptoms and therapy coping mechanisms and all. I have a student my age, around 55 years old, who is plenty weird. Who knows but what she might have PTSD or something herself? I bear that in mind in being as gentle and kind as a teacher can be with her.
But last week when I was out sick with what my doc called "walking pneumonia," when I returned from 2 sick days to class she greeted me in a way I found somewhat weird. After class she came up and told me I should email her personally next time I'm sick. That way she won't have to come to school to find out I was out sick and be inconvenienced next time.
Mind you, I took zero sick days all last year, and only these 2 this year.
I seemed she thought I worked just for her and not for my boss and that I was to report my sick days to her and not to my boss. Also missing was any mention of hoping I felt better.
That was last week. This week she raised her hand and stopped class to request that I email her my lesson plan so she wouldn't have to take notes in class any more.
Hm.
We're not always the weirdest ones around. Anybody else encounter somebody noteworthy in their weirdness out there in the world lately?
Nonetheless, we're not always the weirdest, even with all of our PTSD symptoms and therapy coping mechanisms and all. I have a student my age, around 55 years old, who is plenty weird. Who knows but what she might have PTSD or something herself? I bear that in mind in being as gentle and kind as a teacher can be with her.
But last week when I was out sick with what my doc called "walking pneumonia," when I returned from 2 sick days to class she greeted me in a way I found somewhat weird. After class she came up and told me I should email her personally next time I'm sick. That way she won't have to come to school to find out I was out sick and be inconvenienced next time.
Mind you, I took zero sick days all last year, and only these 2 this year.
I seemed she thought I worked just for her and not for my boss and that I was to report my sick days to her and not to my boss. Also missing was any mention of hoping I felt better.
That was last week. This week she raised her hand and stopped class to request that I email her my lesson plan so she wouldn't have to take notes in class any more.
Hm.
We're not always the weirdest ones around. Anybody else encounter somebody noteworthy in their weirdness out there in the world lately?
That's ridiculous , weird, and hilarious! Did she ask you to start creating her resume too/yet?
Ok, no, it's actually sad... but, within my weird ridiculous selse of humor, I laughed. Out loud.
She is funny to listen to, for short periods, but exasperating in long doses( over an hour). I have to work so hard not to shake her and ask "who are you?" What did you do with my sister?"
She is two years younger than me but remembers changing my diaper while babysitting me in a cradle. lol! Also being the "mother" to us six kids, when our mom was in the hospital with a nervous breakdown. Even though she was three when it happened, and two weren't yet born.
2 days for your illness? I'd say your Superman.
I understand that it may put someone out to drive to school only to find out it's been cancelled, but isn't that when you all bond by going to the bar? That's what we did. Or, go to the library and get a jump start on the next week's reading.
You may want to cover yourself and either get everyone's email/cell phone numbers so you can set up one list serve in case you're out sick again and you can text them all. Or, tell them that if class ever gets cancelled, to tell them to continue on with the syllabus. Do you have a weekly reading schedule? You could created an emergency lesson plan in a manila envelope for a colleague to post so they at least have something to do that will be graded so at least they didn't drive there for nothing.
She just better hope she's never absent and doesn't call you to let you know. And to still hand in her work.
What happens when these people start running the world? I don't ever want a doctor who had double the allotted time to complete his/her medical exams.
I don't think we're weird; I think we're the only ones who get it... sometimes!
Even though this person may have PTSD, she appears to me to be suffering (well I should say causing suffering to those around her) from "entitlement syndrome" lol. Perhaps you could ask her next time you see her, how big her house or apartment is, since you're trying to make arrangements to hold class at where she lives so she's not put out any further. If her bedrooms big enough, everyone could pile in there and she wouldn't even have to get out of bed!, and I'm sure someone would even make her breakfast. Geesh...
I would document all she ask of you just in case she complains that you're not jumping through her hoops as requested. I wish my wife was in this class since she's an expert dealing with people like this and can be one of realities "bites" lol. I'm sure someone will "tune" in.
As for encountering weirdness, I know many have called the person i see in the mirror, "different" to say nicely. I know you're a great person and probably an awesome teacher, so i'll finish with something you already know and practise with this person, patience and tolerance...
Pass the pancakes a syrup, and could you scooch a bit so I can get some blanket? lol a funny picture WB
Not sure if any of you read "I never promised you a rose garden" by Joanne Greenberg... one of the tough things the main char faces is facing the crazy world after finally regaining her own sanity.
I think it is nice you are trying to be gentle with her. As Plato said: Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle. So true that we never know where someone's weird behaviour is coming from.
What a bunch of friends you are.
You know the word weird comes from wyrd which is what the witches in MacBeth are actually called.
Fair is foul and foul is fair...
This student is most foul!