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TawtViet · Joined: 28 Aug 2004 Posts: 53

I am working as an AET. Although I experience some hard working and enthusiastic students, I feel like the thinking of a majority of Japanese junior high school students may go something like this: "This is Japan and the rest of the world is another planet I will never experience." I got part of this feeling from a student speech that shocked me. The student was actually amazed to discover from a homestay that English was "...a living language. I thought it was just in the textbook." This quote from the student overwhelmed me with it's awesome stupidity.
Has anyone developed insight into JHS student thinking here in Japan?

Celeste · Posted: Sat Sep 04, 2004 8:40 am Post subject:

Sounds like you are having a nasty panic attack! Check out this website and see what you think.

http://www.healingwell.com/anxiety/

I wonder if you are having a particularly adverse reaction to culture shock?

canuck · Joined: 11 May 2003 Posts: 1921 Location: Japan

Sounds like time to go home.

spidey · Posted: Sat Sep 04, 2004 12:47 pm Post subject:

Just a couple of questions for you...

How long have you been in Japan?
Are you studying Japanese?
Are most of your friends Japanese or foreign?

king kakipi · Joined: 16 Feb 2004 Posts: 353 Location: Australia

There are plenty of Japanese that listen to their MD/I-pod/Walkman etc whilst blotting out what is going on around them; just crank it up and don't worry!

If you can understand some Japanese, you may be frustrated 'cos you still can't get the drift of what people are talking about. Chances are, you are only missing out on some pretty banal conversations in schools, and especially public transport, anyway! Think of the drivvel you hear on public transport 'back home' anyway ("ooohhh, the weather's bad again today"; "the price of meat these days is scandalous" etc); hey, I bet the music is sounding better already!!

You can always do what I do; (listen to my Japanese for Busy People tapes on the train, and crank the volume up really loud when the person next to me makes/takes a mobile call!!)

Relax Very Happy

kimo · Joined: 16 Feb 2003 Posts: 668

bearcat · Joined: 08 May 2004 Posts: 367

As one person mentioned you are suffering from a form of an axiety attack/panic disorder.

Your reaching for the earplugs/walkman is simply alleviating the symptoms and not the cause.

Unfortunately, Japanese doctors are not well trained in anxiety disorders and there are very few clinics that can help here. Worse any support groups or psychiatric therapy for this would be most likely conducted in Japanese.

I hate to be the bearer of bad news but unless you can get good help, your condition will most likely worsen with you going into avoidance of public places... or even leaving your apartment.

Go back to your home country(which hopefully should have adequate care for this sort of thing.) and get help asap.

I feel for you. I have a Japanese relative who suffers so severely from anxiety attacks that they couldnt ride trains of subways or planes for a very long time. They suffered for 3 years before being able to find a doctor who correctly diagnosed the disorder. From there it took panic medicine related to seritonin and therapy to get them to be able to function somewhat normally. However they still have their days.

Dont take this lightly. Its a pretty serious thing.

Dominique · Joined: 26 Aug 2004 Posts: 141 Location: Juso, Osaka

Wouldn't it be better to perhaps take a language lesson then you can decipher what they are saying?

TawtViet · Joined: 28 Aug 2004 Posts: 53

I really appreciate the heart felt responces. You made me think. My mother has panic attack problems and I have a seritonin imbalance that I have been trying to survive without medicine (I really hate the side effects and joy of teaching helps curb depression). Perhaps there is a genetic thing going on. I recently ordered some natural supplements (that are suppossed to rebuild seritonin) from the States that I hope to recieve soon. I was hoping to discover that my problem was somewhat common and related to the monotone of Nihongo. You all made me realize my problem is quite unnatural and I must act decidedly.

spidey · Posted: Mon Sep 06, 2004 5:05 am Post subject:

I wouldn't go so far as to say it's unnatural. It is quite natural. Think about it...you are in a situation where the language and culture is very alien to you. Everyday you are faced with challenges that you once took for granted in your home country. This can play on the subconcious mind. We don't even realize it is happening until we start to notice some symptoms. We can even grow to resent the very thing that is causing our underlying frusrtation. I am speaking as someone who once suffered from severe panic attacks. This sounds more like a case of culture shock that has grown a little out of control. Now is the time to nip it in the butt.
Don't despair...the fact that you are now aware of the problem, your battle is now half over.

email anytime...

good luck

Senshixena · Joined: 06 Aug 2004 Posts: 16 Location: USA

your problem really isn't unnatural at all, it is most important to concentrate on fixing it rather than judging it. Are you sure the natural supplements will work? Perhaps talking to someone actually in Japan will help more than the medicine ( I'm sorry I just tend to be leery towards natural supplements) Anyways, I have a number that might be useful for you. It's the Japan helpline, they offer 24 hr free help and counseling all toll free. Unfortunately, I don't know if it is in Japanese or in English.
0120-46 1997

I hope this helps you.