My Panic Disorder

Panic attacks were the worst of my episodes of depression. Since I had one yesterday, I thought it was the perfect time to talk about it without delay. The experience of the panic attack is so overwhelming, negative, and the resulting feeling of guilt and helplessness dragged me so deep, but the conversation doesn't have to stop at this being a limited clinical problem- it should be something we can find community and comfort around, even in our darkest moments, no matter how trivial the problems. Part of what I think triggered last nights panic was helplessness over my phone for a couple of days. My experience with panic disorder has been really long term, to when it progressed into debilitating panic that left me bed-bound for some time. Though I have done really well the last few years, I can't keep my story to myself any longer.

[@livinginlux]

There's a lot I could say in response to this, you know, really honest and well-spoken video, but I will stick with one thought. I don't know where you are located, but in the US, you can claim disability benefits if you have a diagnosis of Chronic Panic Disorder. Have you spoken with a disability advocate, dean, or general counselor at your school about your diagnosis and how it's affecting your grades? Perhaps there are steps your college can take to better accommodate your mental health disability, so that your grades and education don't needlessly suffer. Maybe if you "came out" about your diagnosis to the appropriate people in the administration, there would be mechanisms of help and support that would benefit you.