I had a panic attack at clinical last night...

[hrjqtpie]

I had probably one of the scariest experiences last night during clinical. My teacher was on me asking about my patient, and I didn't know all the patho on them. I was nervous and I guess she could tell cause she kept asking me different things. I felt myself getting upset so I excused myself to the bathroom, I'm an emotional person to begin with. To make a long story short, I wound up hyperventilating, my body went numb, my bp was 167/116, pulse was 150, O2 sat was 94%, had to go to the ER and make sure everything was ok. It was scary. I have a history of anxiety and high bp, but I've never experienced anything like that before. My teacher was getting annoyed cause I couldn't pay attention to her when she was in my face while I couldn't breathe, so that was making it worse.

As I'm sure all of you understand, I'm stressed. I work full time, go to school 3 nights and clinical 1 night a week, I have a 3 year old daughter who let's just say isn't the easiest to get along with, I'm a single mom and don't really get much help from her father, I live on my own and can barely pay my bills. You get the idea. I guess last night just put me over the edge.

Does anyone have any suggestions on how to manage without committing myself to a psych ward? Is there anyone else out there who suffers from panic attacks? I mean, I knew it was going to be stressful when I started nursing, but I didn't know it was going to make me crazier than I am! Thanks for any input!

[truern]

at the risk of sounding crazy, PRETEND that you're cool, calm, and collected...

when you feel yourself even STARTING to panic, go inside yourself, and find that "center" of your being where all is okay..then pretend that all really IS okay, and i promise, before you know it, it really is :)

excuse me now...there're some men in white coats outside my door

:roll :roll :roll

[NurseRachy]

Hi - First of all I wish you heaps of luck with your studies. Although I have never had a panic attack, and do not have any children I feel for you. I honestly think that your clinical educator was VERY NASTY to keep pressuring you when she knew you didn't know the answer. I believe when people behave like that they are just trying to establish their authority over you. I have seen it happen many times before to my friends during different clinical placements. So you didn't know exactly what the educator was aking you- big deal! You are a student and have the right to look it up. I find that when I have people all up in my face and demanding to know things I occasionally momentarily go blank. Your educator could even HELP you learn it, or give you some suggestions for learning to remember it. It is obvious that your clinical educator is not suitable for the job if they were getting annoyed at you. She should have stopped and given you the opportunity to review your patients notes and calm down herself. No- please don't stop your studies. You are bigger than this and in a couple of days hopefully it will have all passed over.

So a big to your clinical educator and you go on and become the awesome nurse you are destined to be. Remember you are not only doing this for yourself, but also your daughter.

YOU CAN AND WILL PASS THIS CLINICAL AND YOU WILL PASS IT WELL!!!! ( And don't you forget it!!!! )

All the best with your studies. I have a feeling that you will be fine.

Take care

Rachel

[PlanetCaroline]

See a psychiatrist to get treatment for your panic attack right away. I never got proper treatment for my panic attacks (started when I was 14) & as a result I have developed phobias of places where I often panic (on highways and airplanes). One of these days, I plan to undergo cognitive-behavior tx to try to rid myself of my debilitating phobias.

People who have never had a panic attack may not be sympathetic. I remember my mom got scared when I was hyperventilating and yelled at me to stop.

There are many good treatments for panic disorder and one of those treatments will probably work for you. It may take time to find the proper treatement.

One last thing. While you feel like you are dying, you aren't. Your respiratory rate is fast and will cause some side effects like dizziness, numbness and tingling, but you will be ok. Worst thing that could happen is you would faint and then your breathing would automatically normalize. Apply what you learned in nursing school to your own body. It might reassure you that you are ok.

Good luck.

Caroline

[EricTAMUCC-BSN, BSN, RN]

Originally posted by hrjqtpie

Eric, I've never had an attack like this. The anxiety I've suffered from has gone away with my xanex, but that didn't work at all last night. It was a different feeling than it normally is.

Breathing and positive self talk sounds like a good idea. What really worked for me is thinking about my classmates in a similar situation and than realizing that there was no body that could handle the situation better than I could. (I know, kind of arrogant but it worked) I dont think that your teacher should try to make you uncomfortable on purpose. If you feel that she is doing this to you than you need to ask her to stop or submit a written complaint to her boss if she doesnt. Be assertive. You can do it! :)

[jennysjewels]

I can only imagine the stress and anxiety you are experiencing. I think you should remember why you decided to go to school in the first place... I would guess that you love the field/ type of job you will have after grad. and because you want a better life for yourself and your daughter.

I don't know your instructor, so this may or may not work - but I would schedule a conference with your instructor(s) whether one or all of them individually. I would explain a portion of my situation - and emphasize how you are NOT looking for a "free ride" or "special treatment". I have had many instructors who are actually angry because they know a student is struggling and the student never tries to get help. My sincere hope is that you have understanding instructors who will try to work with you and not "grill" you on a patients path!

Another thought is if another nursing student has a child of a similar age - maybe you both can switch off one night a week/or once per month and babysit for each other. That will give you a couple/few hours to do whatever you need to get done, or simply to do nothing at all and take a deep breath!!!!

Hang in there!

Jennifer

[Melisita]

When I first started clincals, I would excuse myself to the bathroom EVERY Wed. morning (without fail) and cry my eyes out. Clinicals where overwheling at first. The professors really like to put the pressure on...it was intimadating. I never had a panic attack to that extent, but I certainly understand why this happened to you. My advice to you is to maybe think about part-time school, if that is available at your school. I'm very sorry that you're having a rough time, I feel for you...I know how stressful nursing school is....we all do. :) Good luck with everything.