Been a long time

By Animus Wednesday, November 02, 2011

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Hi to everyone out there in the community. I haven't traversed this site for over a year now. Have had a change of environments and just adjusting. They say expatriates of a country often have trouble readjusting to life back home. You could say I am having a few troubles readjusting. But I think it's also the sz.

But I'm back seeing a psychiatrist and hopefully getting back on track..... mentally... Just not existing in a state of reality at the moment. I am back at uni now... its tough but Im determined to succeed and fight the illness.

Is there anyone out there with a mental illness who is studying as well? What are your thoughts and experiences?

Comments (6) | Add comment

earlyriser

11/ 4/11 8:49am

Welcome back. Its good to see you again. I am not in school so I can't advise you but just don't give up..

Take care,

David

Animus

11/17/11 2:02pm

Thankyou!! I won't ever give up... I was born to rise above adversity. :)

Donna-1

11/ 5/11 7:02pm

When I was attending a university back in 1976-1980 I had all the symptoms of active psychosis, but I didn't know what it was called and I had not yet been diagnosed. I kept my head down, studied hard, muddled through the difficult times, and didn't know I was appreciably different than all the other kids there. We all had problems of one kind or another. I made almost all A's and got my B.S. in Applied Arts. I'm not saying it was easy, but since I was an art student I benefited from the extra creative edge the schizophenia gave me, i.e., being able to see things in a different way than others.

I do admit, however, once I had the diagnosis "schizophrenia" I felt all the chips were stacked against me and that I didn't have a chance. I thought it meant the end of the world. And for a while, I gave up on myself. But I know now that's untrue. Those of us with schizophrenia can do anything anyone else can do.

Best wishes at uni!

Animus

11/17/11 2:01pm

Thankyou so much... Congratulations to you on your achievements too! Art is a wonderful thing and I think Mental illnesses enhance creativity... all the best!

Christina Bruni, Health Guide

11/ 6/11 6:01pm

Hi MyAnimus,

I'm glad to hear from you. Drop by whenever you feel like it.

Alas, I obtained my BA in English before I had my breakdown. I graduated in June 1987 and in the fall of 1987 I was diagnosed.

So luckily my studies did not suffer.

Still: I can give you some ideas about what not to do: burn the candle at both ends or burn the midnight oil as those expressions go.

I also have a Masters degree and in the time I was in grad school I worked full-time took two courses a semester and in addition to that spent 40 extra hours for each semester for three semesters writing, reporting and editing for and publishing the library science school newsletter, Keyword. I also was the Chair of the Student Association Lecture Series and regularly attended the student association meetings.

My recommendation is that you join some kind of club on campus that interests you or explore two or three clubs and choose one you'd like to join.

See a counselor at the student mental health center should you feel the need.

Keep your diagnosis and the details of your illness private because even right now in 2011 the stigma is still great.

Start out by taking two courses and see how you handle the courseload before attempting to take three or four courses each semester.

Keep away from any kind of street drugs that fellow students might be doing in their spare time when they hang out on campus or at the local bars and places that attract students.

Write down a To-Do List each evening and prioritize the things you have to do and schedule them on your calendar. Schedule specific time periods for meetings with friends and schedule specific times for rest and recreation and to re-charge your batteries.

Try not to pull all nighters and plan in advance when you'll need to get each part of your biggert school projects done. Give yourself enough time to do each thing you need to do.

So there: I was actually able to give you some advice.

The biggest take-away I can give you is to take your SZ meds every day as prescribed and talk to your pdoc as soon as you experience any new or breakthrough symptoms or even if you feel you need to see him or her more frequently.

See if you can find a support group for people with MIs in your area too.

Good luck college girl!

Regards,

Christina

Animus

11/17/11 1:58pm

That is awesome advice! Thankyou so much. It is really exciting to be back at uni and learning. I will take heed in non-disclosure of the illness.. I have spoken to counsellors on campus too... so there are some support avenues. The risk of falling into drugs and alcohol is fairly high. I am telling myself that I don't need it and it will make me sicker.

I admire those that have gone down this path before me. It is proof that mental illness is no impediment to happiness. :)

Been a long time

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