vw, my opinion on you staying home today is that it is most definitely NOT iPod-forfeitting behavior. You didn't skip class to go shopping, or watch re-runs of "Good Times," or to drink all afternoon. (All of which I did in college, and have no justification whatsoever.)

(1) You have a MIGRAINE. It doesn't matter what the trigger was -- it's still really hard to function with a migraine. In my eyes, that's a legit reason to stay home. (2) Hmmm, this class session might bring up some stuff that would be a mental and emotional train wreck -- again, in my eyes, that's a legit reason to stay home. Going to a class that might bring on a panic attack, or land you in the hospital is NOT a good idea. Staying home IS the good idea.

I reiterate: I don't think staying home disqualifies you for the Perfect Attendance iPod. Not at all. You didn't count your previous sick days when you were physically ill, right? Going to class could have made you sicker, so you stayed home. Well, the way I see it, going to Mountain Tales today could very well have impacted your mental health in a very negative way. This is no different than staying home with the flu.

You've worked SO HARD to get to a good place, mental health-wise, and part of that is knowing how to avoid things that might be bad for you -- like this class. I think that alone deserves a solid-gold blinged-out iPod.

Oh, good idea. I have no minions, but I can go at lunch. (I went upstairs to get the Advil, and walking turns out to be much less painful than sitting.)

Downward dog would feel great if I thought I could actually get into it.

Maybe after the Advil, and going to CVS at lunch, your back might be loose enough to try it.

My dad thinks I should just get dressed and go...even though I missed one class. But I don't have the work done and...and...I don't know what to do. I feel like a complete failure.

I think your dad is right, vw. I think you'll feel better about yourself for having gone, and even if you're not prepared, you'll get something out of being in class--useful info for the next assignment/exam, etc.

And you are NOT a failure.

I feel like a complete failure.

Honey! By knowing that it's better to avoid something that might be a bad trigger for you, and following through and avoiding it, you are the EXACT OPPOSITE of a failure. You fucking RULE for recognizing what might happen and then taking the appropriate action.

You wouldn't make it to very many classes if you were in the hospital after a full-scale meltdown of epic proportions. You have done ABSOLUTELY the RIGHT thing, and you should be praising yourself for it, not beating yourself up.

don't know what to to do ? how sick do you feel? can you get anything out of going to your other classes , than go. you will feel better if you go.

{{{{{vw}}}}} FWIW, I'm with Steph. Also, you are not a complete failure. You are a much better student than I ever was, and migraines suck beyond the telling of it. I can't imagine having to sit through a class I liked with one, much less one that stressed me out.

If this is over the line, I apologize. But I think that you might be facing some of your perfectionist tendencies and they might be holding you back a bit today.

vw, skipping a class because there's a good chance it'll be a trigger seems to me like reasonable self-preserving behavior. If it were staying home from everything, then it might be a problem, but staying away from a specific thing that you know could cause some problems seems totally reasonable and sensible. (As opposed to what I'm doing right now, which is staying home because I just don't feel like getting out of my pajamas. You've got a good reason.)

You are not a complete failure. You are stronger than pretty much anybody else I know. I think I agree with your father -- if your migraine has subsided enough, then go to your other classes. Avoid what you need to avoid, but don't let that turn into avoiding everything. But if the migraine is too bad, then just rest today and go back to classes tomorrow.

t considers changing tag to "What Teppy said"

I think it might help for you to get dressed and go to your other classes.

Hugs to you.

Avoid what you need to avoid, but don't let that turn into avoiding everything. But if the migraine is too bad, then just rest today and go back to classes tomorrow.

t Tag may read, what Hil and Teppy said

{{vw}} You are not a complete failure. The most important thing is your health and welfare -- think about what's good for you. Can't decide what's best for you? Try flipping a coin -- you might realize when it lands that wasn't the outcome you were hoping for. Sometimes that helps me cut through the stress and pressure of making a decision.