Triggering (SI) - Do you tell and how do you cope at uni/college with your problems??

[jen-x]

hey, sorry, i'm sure other people have asked similar before.....

Ok, not sure if i've put this in the right place but here goes. Don't know if anyones read my other posts but i've been struggling a lil with new meds and self harm at the minute...

basically i've been diagn with bipolar just this last fortnight and they're bringing me off the anti-ds coz i was going a lil loopy on them and they were sending me more insane than i usually am...lol. The withdrawal is horrible and i'm starting depakote at the same time, so i don't know whats causing what, or if its just my general state at the min, but i'm struggling with everything from following simple instructions to keeping track of days/times and it is REALLY affecting my uni work.

i've a deadline this week for a presentation, which i honestly dont think i can do... the anxiety is so so so high anyway, and i'm still not sleeping or focussing or anything... it's my final year and i don't wanna mess it up. I'm struggling to even judge if what i'm writing is making sense, because i've been working through the nights, then hiding from everyone through the days!!

do you think its worth speaking to my personal tutor or do you think they'll just think im incapable too??? I spoke to the mh support team at uni last year and they were v.unhelpful, and i left feeling even worse than when i went in so i don't wanna go down that road, but i also dont wanna dump it on my tutor who has been amazing, or worse still for them to turn round and think i'm just making excuses (after the numerous problems last year, the stress of which have probably contributed to this 'episode') to be lazy!!

I don't know, how does everyone else cope with their difficulties at uni???

sorry this turned into an essay,

jen xx

[_embrace]

If I were you, I'd get a doctor (your psychiatrist, MD, or even psychologist can do it) to write a note to the Accessibility (sometimes called Disability) services at your school outlining your situation. Then, if you need deadline extensions or other academic considerations, the service can organize it for you.

I have always been able to meet my deadlines or lie to get extensions, but my psychologist has suggested that he would do this for me if things began to interfere a lot with school. Apparently if you go through the disability/accessibiity channel, the uni tends to be a lot more understanding.

[Wellingtons]

I'm diagnosed with bipolar disorder, and study full time at uni.

because of my problems, it means that the work is harder. therefore they don't make the word anyeasier - just the support. However most of it comes off my own back - i have to do a lot more work than other people, and I am constantly emailing my lecturers and friends for clarification on stuff.

The university disability support centre will be able to advise you best.

[Heidi Tiger]

My uni is fantasticly helpful with supporting me through my problems, so I would strongly reccommend you inform them.
Most universities have a disability disclosure form which you fill in and provide some evidence for (a brief note from your psychiatrist or similar). At our uni this then has some boxes that can be ticked as appropriate, for example on mine I am allowed 25% extra time in exams and I am allowed to renegotiate deadlines if I haven't been very well. There is also a space for any other information where mine say's that I get extremely anxious about speaking in lectures and seminars.

I also see a mental health advisor at my uni which is really helpful, it's like a weekly session and we discuss how I'm coping and possible solutions to problems I am facing.

I've also seen academic support, they arranged for me to have a note-taker for one of my modules which I was struggling with, arranged for me to be shown around the library to help quell my anxiety over using it. They also have helped me arrange to have my exams in a smaller room and to be allowed rest breaks.

So there is so much help out their that can be accessed by someone in your situation. However only you can decide what's right for you. Personally when I first started experiencing problems at uni I didn't seek any help until after I was signed off for 2 weeks, by that point it was too late and I ended up not completing the year. This time around despite the fact I am probably just as ill I have been coping a lot better due to all the support systems I have. I really would urge you to disclose it as it isn't fair that your studies are disadvantaged by your mental health condition.

[-Asphyxia-]

I live in the US, and at my school, you can go through the Dean of Students who can contact your instructors and explain your situation if you're not comfortable doing it yourself. Professors, by law, must give you the appropriate extentions and consider your dilema/personal life in relation to their course.

My friend did this, and it worked well for her. I could have, but I was comfortable speaking to my instructors...The only good thing about have the Dean do it is that there's a sense of "authority" behind it, so the situation seems more "valid." I hate that that is the case, but it's true...Know what I mean?

Good luck.

[Seraphsigh]

I just wanted to drop in and say that I can pretty much relate to what youre going through. When I was diagnosed with Bipolar, I went on ad's then went off them because they were making me even crazier...I ended up stopping everything which probably wasn't a great idea...but I digress. I'm a musician and at the time was going to music school, which is uber high stress and crazy and is full of deadlines like recitals and performances (and papers for the undergrads). I talked to my teacher and told him what was going on, and was able to get help and extensions on my work. It helped that someone knew what I was going through, even if he didn't understand. This was definitely NOT easy, and I felt exposed and it was stressful, but I think in the long run, it was the right decision...it helped me reach my goals!

I hope the same can happen for you. It may help to talk to your instructors. The psych's are sometimes so wrapped up in their own stuff, you know?

*hugs*

D'Arcy

[jen-x]

thanks guys, i did speak to my tutor, gave them a vague idea anyway, just mentioned the psych and new meds... it got me an extension til i'm a bit more with it and i spose it's up to me to decide whether to fully disclose it as a long term issue.. idk. Like my psych said i'd benefit from and be entitled to extra time in exams in stuff, which i spose i should make use of.

thanks tho, just hearing others' experiences helps me a great deal with getting up the confidence to speak.

jen xx