giving up something because of mental health

[RYUU]

I was getting my hair cut by my husbands aunt and we were talking about what things i have done as in jobs and collage she knows about my mental health
i told her that i have had to give up collage because of my mental health
what have you had to give up something because of your mental health ?

[xXRelentlessPainXx]

Im taking a break from college because of how bad my ptsd is right now.

[Heidi Tiger]

I gave up university for about a year, but I got back into it. Rather than seeing it as "giving up", do you think "putting it on hold" or "taking a break" are more positive turns of phrase?

[Rhuben]

Normality?

The moment people find out you have mental health problems in particular that your hear voices, you're instantly treated differently. By employers, grandparents, friends... People don't always necessarily mean it, but you can see that they don't know how to behave around you and that they feel uncomfortable and awkward.

Case in point: Great aunt was going on about how a man on the evening news with schizophrenia had escaped from a psychiatric ward, and how that she hoped she wouldn't accidentally bump into him because schizophrenics are dangerous people and she lives near to the hospital. I reveal that I too have paranoid schizophrenia... thus awkward silence occurs for considerable amount of time until I leave the room then people start talking again.

[roiben]

Well done for standing up for yourself, Rhuben, maybe someone in the room would have understood that stigams and stereotypes do not apply in most cases.
____

I have had a break from Uni at one point for about 6 months - and then returned to complete my course.

I have lost friends and relationships - not always through choice.

I have many atimes lost my self worth and self-esteeem.

I have lost my will to keep fighting and the belief that it is worth doing so.

I have lost faith - having been told that suicide is a sin... I decided that any God who gave choice, a painfull life, then made some choices of how to deal with that against the rules was too cruel to be worth talking with.

*safe hug*
Roiben x

[Siouxsie]

Writing.
Figure skating.
Many relationships.
Education.

I regret each and every one but hopefully someday I can continue with them.

[Stellata]

I had to leave off psychotherapy training, an MA. Because of my relational insecurities. The tutor said I could look into beginning again in 10 years time. She said this to me in February 2005. Nearly 6 years ago. I don't know whether I'll be strong enough then. But for sure the studying I did do [I was several years into the part time training, although I never got as far as having training clients] is proving invaluable for my own recovery journey. [and helping on RYL!]

[Breeze]

I lost/had to quit my job which I loved (physio assisstant)

Lost many friends.

Gave up choir as I couldn't wear the t shirt and have my scars showing on stage.

Also the subscription to choir and another hobbie as I couldn't afford them on benefits.

Had to give up a flat and go into supported accomodation.

Lost so much due to my mental health.

[Steel Maiden]

I went to Cambridge University in 2008, but I had to drop out due to schizophrenia. But on a positive note, now it's 2010 and I'm going to University College London to study pharmacology. I'm starting next week, so wish me luck!

[HopeRises]

I've quit many a jobs. I had to leave college too.
I've lost friendships and things due to mh stuff too.

It is sad when I think about the jobs I've quit because of it though..cause they are jobs I really could have excelled in but the pressure was just too much.

[MissAnonymous]

I have had to give up 6th form, and then the idea of going away to university as well as driving lessons. I am now doing something else that I may never have entered into if things hadnt have been so different. I think you have to look at it as though you may find new and different things open up to you as a result. There is never nothing for you to do, I mean, even if you were house bound 24/7 you could do distance learning, and there is also volunteering part time if you cant manage something full time.

[MrsCoulter]

I gave up University and 3 jobs because of MH.

[ThinkingofRecovery]

I lost my career as a Solicitor.

[xlaurenx]

I have nearly lost my job due to my mh

Friends, have lost a few of them.

I arent as outgoing so i dont have a good social life.

my self esteem- is a big one.

[Devil Girl]

I lost the chance to have a childhood, teenage years, take advantage of university. It has lost me friends but it has helped me gained knowledge.'i understand people. I have becomee good friends with support workers. I have learned to be okay with who I am.

I have dropped out of school. I have threatened people. I have hurt people. I have left uni.

But with everything you lose, or have to take time away from for a while is all part of your story. It can lead you to better things.

People put their lives on hold or have to change things because of physical illness. Mental illness is no different!

[Too Shy]

I gave up university for about a year, but I got back into it. Rather than seeing it as "giving up", do you think "putting it on hold" or "taking a break" are more positive turns of phrase?

I agree with this, and I think it's a very good point.

I also gave up university for a year, but it ended up being a good thing. At the time I wasn't ready mentally for university, but I took a year out, got some experience and some help with coping, and I went back to university with a lot more confidence in some aspects of it and feeling a lot more able to deal with it all. So in the end I'm getting a lot more out of it than I would have done before. :)

[Pomegranate]

This is actually an incredibly negative and depressing thread. I'm not sure how helpful it is. In answer to the OP's question- a lot. Uni/jobs/friends/family....take your pick.

[nicole94]

i have lost my school life, friends, self esteem, and i'm close to losing college, but i'm fighting for it.

[musicmad123]

one job, many friends, mh stopped me from acheviing my academic poetential from GCSEs so i had limited options at the end of school, luckily i think that's it for me x

[BrightRed]

I have lost friends, I've missed/ing alot of college and I under achieved in GCSE's due MH and also, its currently keeping from getting job and living independently.

[Navas]

I withdrew from the university I was attending after the spring ’09 term, ultimately due to OCD and ED.
I’m still taking a couple correspondence courses through that institution and hope to transfer to another one in my home state. But although I’ve improved to the point where I feel intellectually capable of doing the work, I’m not sure I have the will to push myself that hard. So maybe I’ll eventually graduate and maybe I won’t.

Through most of my adolescence I did very well in school, but was usually pretty depressed because I needed to spend the vast majority of my time at it in order to do that well.


this is actually an incredibly negative and depressing thread. I'm not sure how helpful it is.
I don’t find this to be a negative thread overall. Yes it’s depressing to some extent but I’d say it’s important for both those who have similar issues and the general population to realize the costs associated with mental illness.
And to realize that it’s possible to get yourself back together after suffering adverse events like these, as several have indicated they are/have.

Hopefully that knowledge will encourage those who are hovering close to the edge to seek effective treatment, and generally reinforce the idea that mental health services are a social investment worth making.

[Ami]

I've give up with everything/life. Large scale things like job/a college course/friends/social life/ having a personality/enjoying things, to more minor things like having a disregard for basic living. Eating/drinking/washing etc are all seen as "low priority" . Bleh. One day I would like to experience a day with motivation and enjoy somethings and be able to talk to people.

[Bleeding Angel]

This is actually an incredibly negative and depressing thread. I'm not sure how helpful it is. In answer to the OP's question- a lot. Uni/jobs/friends/family....take your pick.

I lost alot of things due to mental illness, and yes its depressing sitting thinking about everything, BUT i gained alot as well, i pushed myself to do things and to not give up and to follow my dreams, and years later here i am, ive learned things like piano and guitar, ive made new friends.

So while i might have lost alot, im gratful because ive done so much more with my life than what i would have if i didnt go through all the bad times.

[PaleMoon]

I dropped out of high school. I dropped out of college. I resigned a job. I lost several friends. I lost the trust of my parents after two overdoses. I lost a healthy body image and peace of mind.

But I have gained so much more.

[dreamscollide]

i'm still pretty young myself but i ****ed up school. sport. and boyfriends are a no go 'cause of sh. and i'll no doubt have college to add to this list soon.

[Adril]

When i was 14 i lost alot of people respect when they found out about my SI stuff also lost peoples trust (never got it back)

Friends (even ones that promised they wouldnt walk out of me)

When i was 16 I lost my College course because i couldnt cope and had slipped back into a dark place... too much to hanndle easyer to just get rid of me, and it sucks because it was the only thing i was good at

17-19 Lost alot of girlfriends and boyfriend who just didnt understand and didnt really care.

Selfworth...

My Uniquic smile.

[Zurg]

I gave up uni in 2004..... I lost my boy, i lost our home, i lost a lot of friends. I don't know if i'll ever be back in uni again. But it's not all bad, i got some new friends and a nice flat (finally.... I've lived in student flats for 7 years. It gets tiresome in the end), i'm taking highschool courses and i'm contemplating to maybe get a job next year or start an education in animal care at some point....

I won't say it has been fun but somehow through all this i got to know myself a lot better. :-)