Teaching with Anxiety

[PinkFlowerFairy]

A bad combination I know. It looks like I might be returning to teaching in September, part time, 6th form. Its 10 years since I last taught in school (that flew!!) and used to be a 6th form teacher in a different subject.

BUT I suffer from anxiety. People dont tend to know - but what on earth can I do to keep myself sane as a returningteacher. It is a lovely welcoming school. I dont think telling them whats in my head would help.

What do teachers with anxiety do to cope? All hints welcome...

What was it like when you were a teacher before?

And what makes you anxious?

Are you medicated? I have GAD and couldn't teach if I weren't on duloxetine (and have found citalopram helpful in the past also).

Meds work for me, and I find my mental health experiences make me a better teacher, not worse - there are so many young people with mental health issues I find it helps to have an understanding!

Hi not medicated . I did try but it turned me into a zombie (v chilled zombie though! Just wanted to sleep though.)

I was ok teaching before it it was pre kids. I get easily overwhelmed. I feel Ive forgotten subject knowledge (can gen up over summer) worried the kids will "catch me out" with some simple knowledge Ive forgotten. Worried I will get exhausted, general "not cope". Might not fit in with staff, work/life balance... behaviour issues/overwhelming marking.

All normal teaching stresses but feels huge where Ive been out and magnified through lens of anxiety. Imposter syndrome full on!

(Namechanged just in case of recognition. I want to come across as competent in the school!!)

Pros are mental stimulation, challenge, income, satisfying work etc.

It just feels a bit of a huge challenge as opposed to easing way gradually into an office for example!

Anxiety can be a symptom of low potassium. I feel it even when low normal & getting my potassium up to top end of range massively helps. It needs GP testing & help though as you can have too much, but you can buy supplements, which you can later self medicate with as you'll be able to feel your potassium drop.

B12 deficiency is also a big culprit, so get tested for that too, plus folate, iron etc. B12 tests are recognised as unreliable so get a copy of your results & have a look on Tracey Wittys B12 website for what to do next. B12 injections make a huge difference to my daughters anxiety p, though short lived as she needs more.

Dutch Natural Healing CBD Active+ can help, lots of good reviews for anxiety

Weighted blankets help a lot, help you sleep & so indirectly help the anxiety.

ashwagandha herbal tea or pills can help a lot too

& yogic breathing can help you hide a panic attack in plain sight

Good luck💐

My colleague who suffers with anxiety has her lessons planned for at least one week in advance so that she can take some “time off” if she needs it.

Stoic thinking really helps me keep calm.

Poor you-it’s not a great job for someone suffering with anxiety. Revving up 5 times a day for a new performance .

I’d go and discuss it with your GP.

Fake it till you make it - put on a big smile and get stuck in!

Thabks. Getting organised so lessons are planned in advance would be the biggest thing I could do. I never used to do that and thats where a lot of anxiety over being tired but still needing to work comes from. I just cant push thru these days!

And yes to fake it til you make it! I think some of my anxiety is irrational as Im returning. Some of it is rational though... teaching is blinking hard work and focussing on so many things at once, so many balls not to drop!

The reving up 5 x a day for a new performance is exaclty the problem. I live finding creative and excitinf ways to teach ,the researching and relearning content. The actual physical act of performing, and fear of getting it wrong/being judged - not so much.

I would love to retrain as an OT or psychologist but not currently possible where I live. So many teachers trying to leave and Im going back in.....