panic at school

by Liam
(North Carolina)

a couple of months ago, near the last days of school, i drank a full throttle energy drink (original flavor) and shortly after, i experienced an anxiety attack. every time i passed a police officer or other authority figure, i felt like they were planning to "get" me. i'm a pretty beefy kid, mind you. 200 lbs, and 5 ft 10, it wasnt too much, because i'd had it before. this was the only record of a panic attack.

i consoled in some of my friends, and they made somewhat of a circle around me IN THE CLASSROOM. oddly enough, the panic subdued, for a couple of moments. then i thought that men with guns were in the school, and wanted to get me, but would kill anyone in their way. i stood up, almost fell, on account of how shaky my knees were, and asked the teacher may i be excused, i need some air.

i walked out out into the hallway, and was quite relieved. i did have to walk around the school a few times to make sure the men weren't hiding.

that was my first and only panic attack. i am 14, and still believe that i might experience more, and have come to peace with that.