I'm a 3rd year student and am really not coping this year. I'm spiralling again, and losing weight fairly rapidly. At my last appointment with my therapist he told me hospitalization is looking increasingly likely.
I'm considering asking uni for support with work etc because I'm finding it hard to concentrate/organise time/ focus.
Has anyone received support from uni? I'm unsure of who to ask/what to ask for.
Unis tend to be very good with this kind of thing.
I spoke to my Student Advisor when I was struggling with eating a lot last year, and she organised a concession for me so that I didn't have to do a presentation which was making me even more anxious. They also sorted out a concession when I had to miss an exam for another reason.
It might be that they can give you extensions for deadlines when you're struggling, extra time in exams, someone to help you keep notes in lectures, there's lots of things they can do. They can also help you speak to a counsellor at uni if you need some more support there (I don't know if your therapist is based at the uni?)
The best person you can ask is your Personal Tutor/Student Advisors/whoever you have like that for your course, if you know who that is. They can then refer you to the disability services etc for more support with whatever you're needing.
I can't answer this, other than saying that I guess it's not as rare in uni as we sometimes feel, so they should have mechanisms in place for it. I'm worried about a similar thing though so I hope it goes okay for you xxx
It's worth talking to your uni NOW, and not leaving it too late; I had a really hard time in my 3rd year and I honestly left it too late to talk to them; fortunately when I did I did benefit, but it would still have been far better if I had raised my issues earlier.
As PPs have said; your personal tutor, or a tutor you get on well with, or head of student welfare (usually within your union; if in doubt email the president of the SU) should be your 1st point of contact.
Has your uni got a counselling service? I only discovered mine in my 3rd year and I wish I'd seen them earlier. Let us know how it goes xx
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I'm really reluctant to talk to my personal tutor, I've brought up the issue before, when I was first diagnosed, and his comment was well you don't look like you have an eating disorder. I've gained since then so he's likely to laugh even more.
My therapist is separate to uni, however is away for another 4 weeks. Honestly, I've had a really bad experience with him however am trying to stick it out. Though I'm now questioning whether now is the correct time to try and recover.
MeaCulpa I'm studying medical physiology, one thing that makes me reluctant is that I want to apply to medicine after this degree and I'm unsure how it will affect it
I spoke to someone at uni (was at York St John) and it helped them knowing so that when I handed over an extension form on medical grounds they were like oh thats ok rather than making a bigger fuss when i didnt need it.
They cannot react negatively as they have to remain professional.
I had a negative time telling people at uni from my peers not the staff. My tutor met me reguarly to offer me additional support and reading notes which was useful as I was often too spaced in elctures and couldnt make notes.
On the down side the other guys on my course (there were only 12) of us were horrid and spread rumours despite all knowing my issues.
I say go for it despite all that. You need to do what will help you get through the year as if you dont they may not allow you to ocntinue next year.
hope I helped and not put you off as you need to tell them x
Realflifefaerie - I'm so sorry your tutor was so insensative... but I would encourage you to look on the Beat website... i saw a video on it of a young man (now a doctor) who battled anorexia when studying a placement on an ED ward... he's living proof that ED doesn't have to ruin your degree if you get the right help (I'll try and link it in a mo). Stay strong.
Telling your uni won't affect any future courses as you already have medical intervention.
I told the uni nurse and she was famtastic I also saw a counsellor at uni who was less good but still helped me. If you dot want to talk to your personal tutor over this then cam you go to your unis disability services they deal with the whole spectrum of disabilities and mental illness would definately be covered by them. They should be able to help you focus your support and put things into place to help you through this year
xox
When we lose twenty pounds... we may be losing the twenty best pounds we have! We may be losing the pounds that contain our genius, our humanity, our love and honesty. ~Woody Allen
Is a chocolate muffin loving glitter ball
Yeah you should be able to refer yourself and if you go and discuss your concerns they will know how to help you and you may be eligble for dsa which would help you put things in to play during lectures like te dictaphone you suggested.
If they can't help they can point you in the right direction
xox
When we lose twenty pounds... we may be losing the twenty best pounds we have! We may be losing the pounds that contain our genius, our humanity, our love and honesty. ~Woody Allen
Is a chocolate muffin loving glitter ball
Unfocused- thank you, you haven't put me off. I'm struggling to focus in lectures, am considering seeing if I can get a dictaphone type thing.
Rainbow Angel- I shall go and have a look later, have to run out but thank you. It's nice to know it's possible.
Randomswirls - Can I go directly to disabilities and bypass my tutor? I'm concerned cause he's currently the lecturer for one of my modules.
I really don't know where to turn, I'm spiralling again and don't have the energy to stop it.
Hi - sorry it took me a while to find it on their sight... here's the link from youtube. [ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0kMYCe0S72w&feature=player_embedded[/ame] Let me know if the link is broken xxx
You can contact the disability service directly by email.
My uni (liverpool) also has drop in counselling.
After you have spoken to the disability people its probably worth dropping you tutor an email saying you are struggling and are doing something about it but might need extensions etc.
