How Can I Talk To My Professors About This?

[em810]

Hi,

I am currently in college and am nearly done with classes. I have about two to three weeks left. However, I just experienced some horrible panic attacks this past weekend after reading a story that triggered past memories to come flooding back. I think I may have been sexually abused when I was younger. Something happened that I blocked out. I had a tough time at home growing up and now I'm starting to buckle under the weight of all of these things. My dad, who is at the root of most of my problems, is coming home this summer. I want to talk to my teachers as I am already missing classes and leaving assignments undone. Also, I am afraid to go to class in case I have another panic attack. However, I don't know how to bring up the issue about how to finish up my freshman year. Should I ask about getting an incomplete grade or ask for a few days of an extension for assignments? How does one talk about these things? I am afraid to say "I have family issues" because then they might not believe me. Does anyone have any advice? I would be very grateful. Thanks.

 

[blue_eyes18]

Hey there. Sorry to hear about all of your troubles.

You sound a lot like my girlfriend. She is in her last year of college, and all of her past abuses started to really hit her hard the last two semesters. This semester, it's been particularly rough on her.

At the school she attends, they have what's called disability student services (DSS). They are they to provide help and support for all types of students - those with learning disabilities, as well as mental health issues. My girlfriend is one of the smartest women I know, but needs some outside help when it comes to tests and certain assignments. They provide a separate location in a room by herself to take the test so she doesn't get panicked. If she does, there are professionals there to help who are trained and know what they're doing. This has been a lifesaver for her. You should check it out and see if your school has anything like that.

For my girlfriend, she wound up getting all the way through the semester until finals (although she missed a lot of assignments and classes due to her PTSD), and had a panic attack and subsequently wound up missing one of her finals and her teacher failed her. DSS gave her a withdrawal from the course for medical purposes. So she now doesn't have an F on her transcript. She does, however, have to retake the class or the hours again at another point in time and she spent a lot of time on a class that ultimately didn't count. But at least she didn't fail. she's now taking time off from work and school to take care of herself before she tries to go back. Which I fully support.

Anyway, check it out and see if this is available to you at your school. I would start there. Good luck!