I started writing this in the last 15 minutes of my chemistry lesson, because I need to get this out. I really hate writing negative posts, but I set this blog up to get my thoughts out, so I won’t beat myself up or call myself attention seeking.
I got lost on the way to Chemistry today, and had – what I think – was a panic attack. I’m trying to tell myself it’s not disrespectful to say that.
I’ve refused to admit it to myself before, but I’m not close to anyone in my form (that’s the class I was put into at the very start of school; we used to have lessons together but now we’re doing GCSEs, we don’t). We have 20 minutes of form, but today we had a yearbook photo outside. After it was taken, we went upstairs to get our bags. My friend Pine had to stay behind because she had an Honours Tie (where you’ve done something exceptional in terms of sport or music and that kind of thing).
There’s a girl in my form called Daisy, who’s VERY good friends with Pine. She and I used to hate each other, but now, we don’t mind each other – she’s been quite kind to me over the last 2 years, and there is no point arguing with her when she’s not done anything nasty to me recently, and vice versa. I asked her, and Pine, if they could wait for me after Daisy went down to give Pine her bag.
They didn’t. I can’t blame them, but I remember going down the stairs and wondering if they’d be there – they weren’t – and feeling this horrific sense of loneliness, like I’ve not felt in such a long time that it was a shock.
My chemistry room is one of the rooms that’s difficult for me to find, because it’s always busy and it’s not at the end of a corridor. I decided, stupidly, to go and try and find it, and that’s when I realised I couldn’t catch my breath at all, and that I felt so upset and sick that I nearly burst into tears just walking down the first corridor.
There’s another corridor that you go down before you get to the science corridor – it’s got nothing much in it, but it’s always busy. I was finding it hard to breathe as I walked down it, as it got busier and busier – I was taking deep breaths that got quicker and quicker. This bit gets a bit confusing – I thought, if I leaned against the wall, I’d be able to clear my head and maybe someone would notice me – at the time, that was what I wanted. I did so, and I was shaking so hard as I felt my way forward because I felt too terrified to go away from it. A girl asked if I was okay – just a random girl, someone I’m sometimes wary of – and I said yes, but it was obvious I wasn’t. Several other people asked, and I completely panicked – I felt boiling all over, my vision had gone horribly blurry and I couldn’t tell where I was at all.
Luckily, Willow found me – I didn’t quite register it was her, until she grabbed my hands and spoke to me. She got me out of the building, calmed me down and then helped me to my classroom. When I was outside with her, I cried – partly out of embarrassment but also an awful fear. I really don’t know what I would have done without her – I had some half-arsed plan that I didn’t even think through. I’ve never felt so mortified about making a scene like that, or being so… Well, looking like I wasn’t okay to such an extreme.
When I went into the classroom, I acted like things were cool and that I’d just got lost. I’m guessing it was obvious I had been crying.
I’m okay now. Whenever I think about being in that corridor’ with so many people and my thoughts and vision narrowed down to a horrible wavering point, I start shaking a little. It’s not logical: things aren’t logical, though, when it comes to fear.
Being ashamed is wrong, for this situation, but I can’t help it. I made it so PUBLICLY obvious I wasn’t okay, that it made it feel like I was purposefully drawing attention to myself. I need to stop thinking about that, though, because now I realise I truly was scared (I remember the moments when I had to just stop and breathe, when I felt like tears were about to come pouring down my face).
I wasn’t okay, but I am now. I’m just shaken, because I never thought I’d be so scared. Before the self-hatred at my lack of independence starts, I’m going to end this post. Hope you don’t mind reading it.
I have to request this – people in real life are going to read this. If I don’t specifically talk to you about it, please, try not to bring it up. I actually can’t deal with it right now, because the feelings I had was so terrifying. Sorry.
If you’ve gone through a similar situation, or have panic attacks regularly – you’re in no. way alone. You have us, always.
From Elm 🙂
Great post- so sorry that this happened. But you are not alone 🙂
Thank you very much 🙂
You’re welcome 🙂
I have always been worried about being independent. My friends are younger than me, and mother me a bit, and they help me through everything, so I haven’t had to go through things alone at school, but it means I have missed out on knowing how to help myself. Do you know what I mean?
Oh GOD – I totally understand you on that. We’ll get through it together, though.
Yeah 😀 We will!!!
We always do! 🙂
It was good to hear your thoughts, Elm. I think it really helps other people who have gone or are going through moments/situations like this. By reading your post, I feel so grateful that I don’t get panic attacks regularly. I’m glad you are okay now. I will be thinking of you, lots of love from Truuty xx
Thank you so much – it’s lovely to know you’re here. I’m glad I could help people, because that’s what I WANT to do.
That’s okay, I’m definitely always here. xx 🙂 It is really nice to hear that you want to help people – it is very reassuring to know that you are there to help others. x
Thank you 🙂 x
I’m so sorry! Glad you’re okay now 🙂
Thank you, and thank you for always being here 🙂
Always have been, always will be. Although I’ve been inactive for a few days, and I’ve got a lot to catch up on! I’m working on it though ;D
Good on ya!
I am sorry for what happened. It must have been horrible.
A few months ago I was at swim practice and I called my mom if she could come pick me up. When she told me that she couldn’t because my dad wasn’t feeling good I panicked. I don’t know why. I had the worse scenarios I could think of in my head and I ran to get the last bus. It took the bus almost an hour to get to my bus stop and I seriously sat there crying the whole time. I don’t know why but I was so afraid of loosing my dad in that situation. That was so stupid looking back because depression is usually not something you die of. The weird thing was that the bus was full with people and no one seemed to care that I was crying the whole time.
Oh god, that’s awful! They SHOULD care – trust me, you had every right to panic. Don’t think it’s stupid, because at the time, it wasn’t.
I think we all have situations when we panic but that is okay. It is life
Exactly! 🙂
Wow, glad you are okay now! I hope this doesn’t happen more often!
Thank you so much! Me too 🙂
You`re never alone, Em! It`s OKAY to not be okay! You know how you were feeling, the rest shouldn`t matter. 🙂
Ooops, I meant Elm, haha!
Haha! 😀
That’s true – it’s just so difficult to remember it when I’m panicking. But thank you so much! 🙂
It`s good to have so many people reminding you then, eh? 🙂
Hehe that’s true!
Elm, I’m sorry that happened to you!! But remember, you’re not alone:)
You’re so right – I just need to remember that, and hold onto your words.
That sounds horrible 😦
It was 😦
Hope you’re feeling better 🙂
I really am 🙂 Thanks!
Welcome 🙂
I just know how you feel and I know that’s terrible. But don’t worry. We will all be here for you! ❤
And likewise to you! 🙂 Thank you so much!
Tnx❤
oh goodness that must’ve been horrible :0
i wish i had friends
It was quite horrific 😦 And aww. Seriously, you have us
If you ever need a friend I’m always up for a chat! 🙂
And likewise to you – thank you so much!
Very nice post. But I’m so sorry that this happened to you, I’m not much help because I’ve never witnessed a panic attack, but I know my brother gets them occasionally. If you feel up to it, always say you need some help, because that’s all they want to do. And make sure you write it out, even if you don’t share it with us xxx
Thank you so much, Lucia 🙂 You’re being a great help, trust me; your support means so much.
That’s ok xx
Aww elm it’s okay, it happens and don’t be ashamed. People won’t judge, they care 🙂 I’m so happy that Willow was around for you ^^ I kind of get that feeling but i’m not sure if it counts as an attack, I shouldn’t be complaining. when I cry so long and hard that i’m automatically gasping for breath and my throat shakes and I can’t help it – water usually helps a little but it’s terrible. It lasts for a long time and I can’t really breath. This post is just amazing… honestly amazing ^^ It feels weird when we are panicking but it’s okay because slowly, even if you aren’t realizing it you are climbing out of the hole, and a helping hand or a boost, like Willow gave to you, is just what we need. It’s good to be grateful for those boosts- usually in the form of friends.
Yes exactly. You just summarised everything I think in one comment 🙂 Thank you. Thank you for always being there, and I’m always going to be here for you whenever you panic.
*squeals* :DDDDDDDDDDDDDD I’m sooo gladdd because you are so amazzinnnggggggg ahhhhh XD It’s nice knowing I have you to help me :3 you always make me feel better ^^
I’m SO HAPPY I do!
I’m so sorry this happened to you. But now you know how much you can count on Willow, she seems like a great friend 🙂
She really is 🙂 She’s so lovely
I’m so sorry Elm! This happened to me once, I can relate it. Glad you’re okay now. 🙂
And you too 🙂
So sorry Elm. Panic attacks are terrifying. I’ve had many of them. And you’re absolutely right, logic does not work during a panic attack. You don’t need to feel ashamed. You aren’t alone 🙂 I’m glad you’re doing better, I know how scary it is. Take care, Jenny
And you take care too 🙂 Thanks for giving me advice, always. It means so much
That must’ve been really scary, sorry you had to go through that but as always it’s amazing that you have managed to learn from the experience
Thank you 🙂 I just want to be able to learn from things, you know?
Omg Elm I am so sorry that you had to go through this. Glad to know that you okay now. And you are definitely not alone.
Ohhh thank you so so much 🙂 Your words make my day.
Aw I am glad. 🙂
Hey, elm. It’s perfectly ALRIGHT to feel like this once in a while – reminds us we’re humans. I’m so sorry that you had to go through something like this because I know how it feels, and it happens on a daily basis for me. But it’s alright. We’re all here to walk you through this journey! Good to know you’re okay, love. 🙂
Shank you so much – seriously, you’re so amazing and thanks for always being here. Always going to have your back 🙂 You’re great
Thank you! And I’m always here. 🙂
Thank you 🙂
It sounds bad, but please don’t think you were drawing attention to yourself. It was what you felt at the moment of time, and it’s okay to feel like this sometimes. It’s going to be okay 🙂 For now, go ahead and enjoy camp!
Thank you so much 🙂 That honestly brightened my day.
Did it really? I’m glad 🙂
It really did!
This feeling – in fact almost this exact situation – is not unfamiliar to me. My first reaction is intense, unstoppable panic, and you know what? That’s OK. We’re human, and it’s human nature to worry and break down when we feel incapable, or helpless. It’s normal, however unlikely that sounds. Well done for writing about it: I guess it helped, right? X
It really did 🙂 Thank you x
Hey I really hope you’re okay. Panic attacks are horrible and I pray that will be the one and only time you ever have one ❤
Thank you 🙂 It’s honestly lovely to know that you’re here