teachers and anti anxiety meds and or therapy

[Anonymous]

I've been teaching 25 years. In the last few years, my district, like most districts, are seeing a rise in students with very difficult, disruptive, sometimes violent behaviors starting in preschool on up. I love my students, the families, my school and used to love coming to work each day. But lately, I've been coming home and I cannot let go of the stress of the day. I am overwhelmed by the needs of these children and there is not enough support from the district. Should I go to therapy? Take medication? What do I do? I'm mentally and physically exhausted all the time.

[Anonymous]

400 mg of magnesium glycinate about 8:00 pm

Give it several weeks.

It really de-stressed me.

You can also try 200 mg in the morning and 200 mg
at 8:00 pm but I prefer to take it all at 8:00 pm as
it really helps with sleep and the anxiety is still
gone during the day

Also, ditch sugar, work towards eating unprocessed foods.

[Anonymous]

I only have 12 years in- but just wanted to say I hear you. I hope you find ways to unplug & leave it @ school. I’m very actively looking for new jobs. I just won’t do it anymore

[Anonymous]

I think it’s sort of always been the case. One reason why teachers usually hate retirement plans that allow for retirement before 65–like fire and police, the demands are just too high and there’s too much burnout. It’s so rare to see a teacher make it to 65 and those that do are usually teaching the little ones in a good school district with supportive admin, I think.

[Anonymous]

I hate my job. I should be at 26 years, but I took leave to stay home with my kids.

It's so incredibly stressful - so unlike what it once was. I am seeing a wonderful therapist who is encouraging me to quit.

avoiding drugs for the moment . . .

One of my colleagues - 15 years in - is on mental health leave. Another relatively new teacher - 6 years and a rock start when she student taught - just quit.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I only have 12 years in- but just wanted to say I hear you. I hope you find ways to unplug & leave it @ school. I’m very actively looking for new jobs. I just won’t do it anymore

good for you! Much luck!

[Anonymous]

I hear you OP. I remember seeing an article about caregiver fatigue and secondary trauma last years and I cried for 20 minutes. It was the first time I had seen it acknowledged for teachers. I decided to take a .5 position this year as a temporary fix. I was doing CBD and Magnesium which helped a little but I think I will be contacting EAP and starting some therapy or medication if things don't improve more with my reduced schedule.

[Anonymous]

Get the headspace app. Works wonders.

[Anonymous]

Quit. There’s nothing wrong with taking antidepressants, but there’s also nothing wrong with leaving the situation making you depressed. Not everyone is temperamentally suited for teaching in 2019. You need to preserve your health. It is a physically and emotionally demanding career. Thousands of tiny decisions to make. Everyone a critic because they think they can do a better job. Loving kids is not enough to get you through 30 years.

[Anonymous]

Teach at a private school.

[Anonymous]

I do my job and fly below the radar. I’m in year 8 and I no longer care too much about my job after I leave. I have my own kid to raise and I only get one chance.

[Anonymous]

I found the thing that helps me most with teaching burnout is leaving immediately at the end of the day and having something else to focus on when I get home—I have 2 small children, so I focus totally on them when I get home and don’t think too much about work. Also, regular exercise really helps.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I found the thing that helps me most with teaching burnout is leaving immediately at the end of the day and having something else to focus on when I get home—I have 2 small children, so I focus totally on them when I get home and don’t think too much about work. Also, regular exercise really helps.

It may be my content - secondary English. But even PT, I find myself drowning in planning and grading. I am in two different rooms, with two different preps. And my planning period is often taken up by useless meetings. I'm exhausted by the time I return home, and I'm faced with work I can't get done during my school day.

How do you do it? any tips?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I hear you OP. I remember seeing an article about caregiver fatigue and secondary trauma last years and I cried for 20 minutes. It was the first time I had seen it acknowledged for teachers. I decided to take a .5 position this year as a temporary fix. I was doing CBD and Magnesium which helped a little but I think I will be contacting EAP and starting some therapy or medication if things don't improve more with my reduced schedule.

What is a 0.5 position? I’ve seen 0.4 and 0.6.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I do my job and fly below the radar. I’m in year 8 and I no longer care too much about my job after I leave. I have my own kid to raise and I only get one chance.

Same. It's the only way I keep my sanity.