For me, small classes bring on more anxiety then large classes. I feel more volunerable and put on the spot in smaller classes. When it comes to male professors, I tend to avoid talking with them in person, mostly if I have a question or concern I do it through email. Also, I tend to go more for dissociating then having a panic attack. I try to stay focus on what the instructor is saying to stay present.
I think that there is commonality of us attending college/unversity. That we all have different triggers, depending on what our trauma was.
Below is some of the feedback I have recieved in response to my question, "What is it like being a college student with PTSD?"
Quote:
Most of us with PTSD do not what others to know we have PTSD.
Make sure you're in treatment, or you have a good support network.
The worst thing about having PTSD in college, is the trigger-factor. You ever know what will trigger you, and when you get triggered it is awfully hard to lead that double life that everything is fine on the exterior. For me, either I have a panic attack or I disassociate and I never know which one I will do.
Triggers are everywhere. Know what yours are, and hopefully you can avoid panic and flashbacks.
If one takes too many classes and it stresses them out, that will only trigger other things, and that will make it more difficult to complete the classes.
The biggest issue for me was maintaining my concentration when I was experiencing flash backs/depressive episodes. The normal stresses of college augment the PTSD symptoms.
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