Stressed to the point of nervous breakdown. Help?

Question

I have made a huge mistake. I completed my teacher training last year and have just got a teaching job. It's only part time, but it is in a really rough school, where behaviour problems are terrible. It's a temporary maternity cover until March, and I have only been there two weeks.

However, I can't stand it. I can't control any of my classes. The lessons are chaotic because I can't control them enough to teach them what I need to. I feel stressed, and a failure. I come home and cry, or drink, or both. I can't eat. I can't sleep. I have been thinking of the most awful ways of making it go away.

I have 2 kids, one of which is autistic, and I have health problems anyway. I had a feeling that teaching might be too much for me, but I went ahead and got the job. Now I am regretting it big time. I can't just leave. I signed a contract. On my days off I can't relax because I am panicking about the days I will be at the school. I can't concentrate on anything any more.

Answer 1

go to the doctors he will sign you off with stress, you cant go on like this.

Answer 2

You may be losing your hair because you have a Thyroid problem. The most common symptoms are the loss of hair and drowsiness. My mom has a thyroid problem and she use to lose TONS of her hair but then she got on some medication and got it under control. Luckily for my mom she has really thick hair so you couldn't notice that she was losing lots of it. So you should probably see a doctor about this if you haven't already. But if it is stress related then the best thing that I can recommend for you to do is: Get at least 7-8 hours of sleep each day, exercise, eat healthy foods with low fats and sugars, and try to RELAX! You may be doing too much in your life so you might wanna slow down a bit. That's all I can really say so good luck!

Answer 3

Dear Hellly. I think you are stressed not on a nervous breakdown. Last year I had a nervous breakdown and it was the most horrible thing in the world. I lost a lot of weight since I could not eat (nausea all the time), it got to a point that I started to feel spirits around and got all this weird symtoms (wanted to kill myself, harm others, was really depressed, feeling of getting crazy), was really weak all day and could not get up from bed. I think you are far from that. All you have to do is first breath deep, then organize your life. If you think you need some other kind of help get to a Doctor because he can give you a diagnose

Answer 4

I understand what you are going through. I taught fourth grade for a year. I had the same problem with some of my students. One thing that helped me out was praying. I prayed for my students and that God would help me be a good teacher. If you believe in the power of prayer it REALLY helps. Teaching wise, you may need a fresh start. You have to have a very strict disciplinary policy. You have to have specific things that you do when the students break rules you have established. E.g. Running laps for talking without raising a hand or whatever. Then they will adjust their behavior to avoid the punishment. Also the majority of times kids act up is because they want attention. So give them attention in positive ways. Don't make them act up in class to get it. Hug them, listen to them. But you caring and having strong discipline go hand in hand. One without the other is damaging. One other thing you shouldn't be doing is going home and drinking. That doesn't solve anything. Instead go home and do relaxing things. If you are a Christian, listen to Christian music, it is positive and uplifting. If you aren't listen to it anyways. : ) These trials can make you stronger and help build your character. And PRAY. ALOT. God Bless. I will pray for you too.

Answer 5

I'm still in school for teaching, but I know that the first 5 years are the toughest years. During that time, something like 70% of teachers drop out. What you are going through sounds awful!!! It's too bad that you got placed in an environment like that at first. I would suggest you talk to your principal about it...and see what he/she suggests. They usually have good ideas on controlling, discipline, etc. Once you do that, I would also recommend that you find a therapist or counselor that you can go to regularly. Not because you are crazy, but because it gives you someone to vent to & walk through the things that are making you so stressed.

Good luck!!!!!

Answer 6

You are not at all angry, you sound merely defeated. They know it and are taking advantage. Go get a kickboxing video. Work-out. Get pissed off. When the bell rings and they bring their attitudes to class get up on the desk and whack the garbage can with a yardstick. Really make noise till you have their attention. When they are all silently gaping at you with their jaws hanging to the floor quietly and calmly state that from now on You are in control and anyone who has a problem with that can have a parent /principal/student meeting. Have the sign in sheet on the board. Make sure at least one kid ends up on the list so they know you mean it. Follow through with it. Do the list thing for as long as it takes. Sometimes to herd the sheep you got to be a dog. Good Luck.

Answer 7

You should talk to your principal about your issues with your class. I'm sure every teacher there has had the same problem. The kids aren't dumb--they are smart and they are testing you to see how far they can push you. You have to set limits for them. All kids want direction.

You need to stop the drinking--that's for sure. That isn't going to help you at all and it only makes things worse. If you are drinking a lot and can't stop or feel you can't function without it at night....please get some help. AA works wonders:
http://www.aa.org

Answer 8

Clam down and relax, first of all let's take this one step at a time, one day at a time. This job is temp. so do not pressure yourself, just do what you can do for the eight hours you are there and once you leave work leave all of you problems at work . do not take them home and if it is to much for you to handle then talk with the principle or someone in charge, go to the book store and read up on this you are a smart girl, you have made it this far so don't stop now, you can do it. and if all fails. pray it changes things.

Answer 9

Go see your doctor now and get signed off for sickness or stress. You sound like you need at least a couple of days, if not weeks off to recover. Hopefully this will give you time to refocus and realised what you want. If not consider handing in your notice and trying to find a different job in a less difficult school.

Answer 10

You need to ask for help and support from your school. If you have a child with autism you should know that kids learn differently, figure out how to get them invested and under control. Does your school have a behavioral specialist? Check out the Positive Behavioral Intervention System. You might get some good ideas. I have a child with ADHD and I am very active with advocacy. Unfortunately teachers aren't taught in college what they need to know to deal with behavioral issues in classrooms. GOod luck!

Answer 11

i know that it is hard to think positivly at a time like this but you must. your children depend on you. you are blessed to have a family and a job. try to think of the classroom as a challenge, not a failure. you are a wonderful person and someone that those kids need to look up to. keep trying your best and know that it can only get better. if you are firm but friendly, they will respect you. think of all the things in life that you have, not the things you don't. take it one step at a time, instead of wanting everything to change at once. i guarantee you will succeed and yes, there is light at the end of your tunnel. i promise!