I've just started CBT for panic attacks. I realise now that I've been having them for about 8 years, but I didn't realise that's what they were until a few months ago. I had a long period without any, then had one at work for the first time ever, closely followed by another a couple of weeks later, when I got signed off for a week. I had another a few days ago on the way to work, which resulted in me going home soon after I got there because I wasn't in a fit state to teach (I'm a secondary school teacher).
Most people have been really lovely about it, but the one person who doesn't seem to be is my boss. He seems to have the attitude that I should just pull myself together - as if I haven't tried that already! This time I felt on edge for a couple of days before the actual attack, and I think it was trying to just push through the feeling wobbly that triggered the attack. When I asked to go home, all he went on about was following procedure etc etc, and seemed to think I'd be okay if I sat down for twenty minutes - but whenever it happens, I feel like I've been hit over the head very hard with something and it takes a good few hours to feel even remotely normal, and a good night's sleep to feel mostly ok again.
I know it's hard to make people understand panic attacks if they've never had one, and there's the added issue that he's never actually seen me have one, but I resent feeling like he thinks I'm just being pathetic and working myself up about work. It is a big contributing factor, but it's not the trigger - just a fact that after it's happened the last thing you feel like is standing in front of 28 or so teenagers for five hours. He ends up making me feel worse because the 'this is such an inconvenience' is written all over his face.
Does anyone have any advice about this? I'm dreading going back to work because I still feel iffy, and knowing I've not got the support makes it even worse.