A few days ago
Scribbles

How do I help my 8th grade daughter get over her panic attacts for changing in front of others for PE?

This is her first PE elective and she finds she has to change in front of alot of kids, the majority being 6th graders. She is a very private girl and is having these panic attacts and for the first time ever, does not want to go to school. Any advice from Moms who’ve been through this? She is a straight A student and is now finding it diffucult to concentrate on her work, knowing she has PE 6th period.

Top 9 Answers
A few days ago
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Favorite Answer

That’s something she will have to get over on her own. When I was young I used to have a shy kidney. (couldn’t pee in a mens room with other guys there) I finally got over it. Just took a while.
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A few days ago
Alaska
If possible, see if you daughter can change in the bathroom stall. Some schools don’t allow this, so ask the PE teacher.

Tell your daughter there is nothing to worry about. The other girls will probably be more focused on school and not pay any attention to the other girls in the locker room.

Hope this helps.

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A few days ago
Anonymous
when i was ur daughter’s age the same thing happened to me. i was a straught A student but not comofrtable showing my body in front of the other girls. a few things that i found that helped is i would wear a tanktop & tight boy like shorts under my outfits on gym days so i was in shorts n a tank top in front of the other girls, or i would go to corner where not many girls would be and ask a close friend to hold up a towel while i changed really quick. yes dorky i know and people did tease. i did that on the days i forgot my camisole and shorts. one time we had a bathroom in the locker room on year and i would change in there but it was difficult trying to change when others wanted to change in there or use the bathroom. it would help if she found a friend in that class to kind of have her back. maybe chnage in the corner and firned can casually change in fornt of her so it kind of blocks her. if any one says anything maybe u should call the gym teacher and say my daughter suncomfortable chaning in forn tof the other girls but i dont want to make a big deal out of it what are ur suggestions. but i did find wearing a camisole helped a lot because i wasnt showing my stomach.

🙂

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A few days ago
Betsy D
I was always really shy about changing in front of other girls too. One thing I did was buy extra-large t-shirts, so that the t-shirt covered me almost down to my knees (it was also loose enough so that I could put the large shirt on first and take off my other shirt and change bras underneath it). Sometimes I could also wear my shorts under my pants or skirt, but that is a little harder.

I guess the locker room doesn’t have a bathroom to change in? (When I was in middle school, there were bathroom stalls in the locker room.)

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5 years ago
Dory
I am so happy, it was only a 35 minute drive ( 70 minutes total) but absolutely no sign of anxiety or panic i shopped till I dropped – brilliant! I will now go for the next stage DUAL CARRIAGE way, probably at the weekend, with my husband accompanying me first then the solo drive, if successful the final stage of driving on motorway

Beat Anxiety And Panic Attacks Naturally?

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A few days ago
.Frequently♥Dazzled.
tell her DONT worry. if she needs to find a secluded place to change like a corner or bathroom stall. i know somepeople that do. since i’ve been through it [changing in PE, etc .] not many people are in her class maybe like 20-30 ..its NOT the whole school.. no guys will be there. plus your keeping your bra/panties on. and no one really pays attn. to you because their getting ready themselves and talking to friends. …maybe she can find a friend there or someone that shes comfertable and get dressed near her. .. so it’ll be okay, no one will really be paying attn., and it only takes 3 minutes to do. if needed find a secluded place. and don’t freak over 3 minutes of being unclothed to be not concentrated..

so tips could be take your shirt off, then grab the PE shirt and put it on.. most are alittle to long and cover your panties.. then take off your pants and put the shorts on. ta da!

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A few days ago
Anonymous
everyone is right. it is something that she will get used to. if you are really concerned though, have a word with her PE teacher and explain about these panic attacks, see if there is a room she can change in in private, or if she can change in a toilet stall.
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A few days ago
Anonymous
I KNOW WHAT YOU DAUGHTER IS GOING THROUGH..

WHAT IM GUESSING IS THAT ITS HER FIRST YEAR IN MIDDLE SCHOOL AND SHES ALL WORRIED ABOUT OTHER GIRLS LOOKING AT HER AND ALL THAT. I WAS A SIXTH GRADER 3 YEARS AGO AND I FELT THE SAME WAY.

SHES NOT THE ONLY 1 THATS SCARED. TELL HER THAT ALL THE OTHER FELL THE SAME WAY. BUT YOU GET USED TO IT…AND THEN YOU REALIZE THAT THERE WAS NOTHING TO BE AFRAID OF.

NOBODY LOOKS AT OTHER GIRLS..

THEY JUST GET CHANGED AND VOILA.

TRUST ME….NOBODY LOOKS AT YOU (ONLY PERVS).

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A few days ago
seeso
I did what Betsy did. I never got used to changing in front of people. I didn’t like it. I was skinny, and still didn’t like it. It’s who she is, and she is fine. Just suggest what Betsy said, and she will be fine.
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