Korean Job Discussion Forums

[chellovek]

[chasmmi]

I met a teacher in a bar once that showed me his letter discharge letter from the army due to Post traumatic stress syndrome. He seemed to be getting on fine (barring the fact he was crazy).


Lying about medication being taken could screw you over if you ever have the misfortune to be in a medical situation where doctors may inject/give you something that doesn't mix with what they do not realise you are taking. (especially if you were unconscious at the time).


Have no idea if Ritalin mixes badly with other drugs, but just thinking worst case scenarios for you as anybody can get hit by a bus or fall off a table.

[Hotpants]

I always say that if you have a 'condition' under control and it poses no risk to your students, then don't declare it.

You should certainly try to ween yourself off your meds, though, and see if you can manage without them for a prolonged period.

Remember that everyone feels some anxiety in some point of their jobs, even very experienced teachers.

I have a lot of empathy for you, as I've been there myself, but fortunately found out the source of my problems without going on medication. I still occasionally get setbacks, but knowing that they are often caused by extreme stress, I just aim to remove myself from the situation for 5 minutes or so, and I generally get back to normal again. Good luck.

[iggyb]

The problem in America is doctors and therapist seem to have forgotten that the idea is to help the patient recover to the point of not needing medication or repeated visits...

...there isn't enough money in it that way....

[nick2124]

thanks a lot for the helpful replies everyone.

[Zulethe]

Keep in mind OP that depending on the type of anti-anxiety drug you are on, you will have some sort of a hangover coming off of these drugs.

For example when you take an SSRI, because of the extra serotonin in the brain, the brain begins to diminish its own capacity to produce serotonin. Therefore when you go off of these drugs, it takes some time for the brain to begin producing serotonin at the pre SSRI levels.

Not to worry though, your brain will again start to produce serotonin or one of the other neurotransmitters - depending on the psych med you're on (dopamine, glutamate, GABA, etc...)

The important point here is that many are not aware of this and they get off their meds, feel horrible, and run right back to them.

Look up the half life of your med online to figure it out so you have some indication how long the "hangover" will/should last.
Just be in a good place when you go off of them and keep in mind the aforementioned.