College and bipolar disorder

you'll need to talk to your doctor sweetie. If your current meds are not helping you need to try others (if you feel well as far as depression goes then focus on the mood stabliziers/antipsychotic). There are alot of drugs out there to help with the issues, but everyone reacts to things diffrently it can take a while to find the right comination.

I know exactly what you're going through, I'm 29 and have tried to go to college 3 times but drop out usualy around second semester due to lack of intrest. My doctors just switched my meds so I'm hopeful I'll be well enough to try again in the fall.

Cafemocha, Just so you know it is doable.... I have a dear friend who was BP, and focused herself in college and excelled. She let her studies be the structure in her life. She finished her BA in three years to give the valedictorian speech at her graduation, then went on to law school - became an attorney, and THEN went and got a master’s in mediation, all from major universities. SO...for me...I hear in your situation your medication is off, and you need to step up and talk to your doctors - as well as the school administration so they can support your efforts to excel at school to finish successfully. They do have support available for you, so use it.

On the other side of this is also a personal choice you need to make inside yourself that you are going to override how you feel on the inside, and simply force yourself to not allow the BP to sabotage your efforts whether or not the meds are working at any given moment. If you know that you need to be in school....and sleeping 16 hours a day does not work in getting the JOB of school done....then set as many alarms as you need to, sign up with call services, AND get a friend or parent to call you until you respond to get you up. It is fine to acknowledge you don't WANT to do something, as long as you force your body to not listen and get on with what HAS to be done to fulfill your commitment to yourself...which needs to have MORE power over you than the BP. It in some ways is a choice you have to make. The fact that it would be such a struggle is where the doctors come in to help get your head and your body working in the same direction. But clarity in you WILL and COMMITMENT to yourself to succeed at the goal (go to classes/do homework/one foot in front of the other even if you don't "want" to) will allow you to get there MOST times. Good luck to you. LFW

Hi Cafemocha,

Welcome to HealingWell and the bipolar board.

I think people have already given you the advice I would give you. Your first stop is your doctor. Have your meds adjusted because you're getting depressed and sleeping too much. I have taught college classes before, so I'm sure that this is okay: go talk to your instructors. Let them know exactly what's going on. It may feel humiliating, but believe me, they've heard it all before. Many of them will give you some extra time, cut you some slack, whatever. It can help ease the situation while you get back on your feet.

Good luck,
serafena

Hi cafemocha:  My name is Cass and I am just visiting this board right now.  I am a regular on the Depression board.  But I saw your topic and thought maybe I could help.  I have Major Depression with mood swings and Anxiety with some other issues.  I have been in school for my Masters Degree the last three years (for a 1.5 year program).  Similar to you, I had problems getting out of bed.  All I could do was sleep.  When I got up to do my homework I would fall asleep at my laptop.  Trust me, I wanted my degree more than life itself but couldn't pull myself together to do it.  I simply lost all motivation to do anything.

Finally, after flunking my sixth class (instead of simply asking my instructors for extensions) I was honest with my academic advisor.  I told her about my diagnosis and what was going on in my life.  She immediately referred me to a colleague who is responsible for students covered under the ADA (American Disabilities Act).  I had to submit paperwork and my therapist who is an A.P.R.N did the same.  Ultimately, I was granted protective status under this act.  This allowed me an extra rolling week to complete all my assignments as my accommodation.  This helped greatly (and I had my meds adjusted around the same time) and I just finished my last class this Saturday night.  I am on pins and needles now as I am waiting to see if I can graduate due to so many classes that I had to repeat - but as I am under this status I am hoping that I will be okay.

I would definately follow the advice given to you by other members of this board.  See your med. doctor to determine if your meds need adjusting.  But if you feel you need some extra help and support look into your student handbook.  If you are in the US it is required by law that they have a section for students with disabilities.  And I can honestly say that I was treated with total respect throughout this process.  I was very pleasantly surprised and ultimately thankful.

Good luck with whichever route you choose to take.

Cass

Post Edited (CassandraLee) : 3/11/2009 7:46:45 AM (GMT-6)

Cafe, do not feel like a quitter! In fact you are the complete opposite. You are only putting school on hold, you are not quitting forever. What you are doing is even more admirable in my mind. You are taking the steps to make yourself better. Swallowing your pride and doing what you know needs to be done is very hard. I admire you for having the bravery to take that step. Once you are regulated, think of how much more fun and rewarding school will be.

I am a 37 year old mother of three daughters....and I went back to school last year to finish college. I tried to take classes over the last 15 years, and my transcripts look horrible. Lots of "F"s and withdrawls. But last semester I finally recieved my AS in Biology and am still taking courses to hopefully start the nursing program. Once I was regulated with meds and had been with my therapist for a while, school became enjoyable again. Those days of fighting myself to get out of bed became fewer and fewer.

So hold your chin up and be proud of yourself for taking the steps needed to get healthy. School will still be there.

Yep, don't worry about it so much. You're absolutly not quitting, you need to take some time for yourself...for your wellbeing that is more needed at the moement than grades. Its not perminate just a little break to recouperate.

(Pleaes forgive my spelling guys, my meds are really messing me up a little right now; getting used to the doses)