[ellaguru]

Hi everyone,

This is my first post on thestudentroom so I'm not exactly sure how this works- but here goes!

Just for a bit of background, I am currently doing an MA in Political Journalism at City University and I am doing my final project (a portfolio of eight or so written articles) on mental health. In particular, I want to write about what it's like to experience mental illness at university- so I'm looking for relevant people who are willing to discuss their experiences.

In the interests of full disclosure, I should mention that I personally have had precisely that experience. I suffered a breakdown in the first term of my undergraduate degree (to use psychologist-speak, it was a psychotic episode, induced by extreme stress including acute insomnia). I am glad to say that I made a full recovery, aided by a year of therapy (and, of course, quite a lot of medication), and learnt a lot during the process. I suppose what I'm really trying to say is that I am a sympathetic listener.

If anyone would be kind enough to talk to me, I will naturally assume that they wish to remain confidential, and will keep their identity anonymous if they wish (depending on their wishes- some are more concerned about this than others). I am particularly interested in what sort of illness people experienced, how the people around them (new and old friends, family and lecturers) responded, what help they did (or didn't) get, and how they feel now.

I am happy for people to message or e-mail me with whatever they wish to say about the above- equally I live/work/study in London so if anyone prefers to meet up face-to-face that is also very much a possibility.

Thanks for reading!

[The_Lonely_Goatherd]

Sent you a PM

[barnetlad]

No, though I wish you all the best for your research.

[Sabertooth]

It's the reason I ended up with a 2:2. I could've done so much better

[superwolf]

I'll send a PM at some point.

[ellaguru]

Thanks for the PM Goatherd- I'll be sure to e-mail you later, and thanks for your kind message barnetlad.

I'm sorry to hear that Sabertooth, although maybe you should be proud of yourself for pulling through and completing your degree- I know people who have had to drop out of university due to mental illness, so in my view it's pretty impressive just to carry on and finish the course. Plus I know plenty of people (not to mention my own partner) who got 2:2s at university and are now very successful in their careers!

I'm looking forward to hearing from your superwolf

[Noodlzzz]

Hey, I'm a first year psych student at UCL. Everything was going fantastic 1st term - scholarship, straight 1st etc. Then around January I suffered (and am still) a psychotic episode and have been in and out of hospital since and had to interrupt my studies from the second term onwards. Happy to speak to you in more detail about my experience if you'd like

[metalthrashin'mad]

Not really a mental illness but I did get insomnia fairly bad in the first term of my second year. That was probably more due to some understandable factors than anything actually wrong with me. Still it definitely affected my grades and performance.

[BefuddledPenguin]

I did in my college days, my attendance that year was 48%, I'm just lucky my head of year was so sympathetic.

[Sabertooth]

I sent you a [rather long] pm too. Hope it's helpful.


I have waaaaaay too much free time on my hands.

[geetar]

Yes, although for me the really bad stuff happened after I graduated, and was doing a postgrad course.

[ellaguru]

Hi Noodlzzz, I would definitely be interested in hearing more. If you could send me a private message that'd be great. Or I can send you one setting out the sorts of questions I want to ask? (Most of that is included in my original post by the way). Entirely up to you of course

Metalthrasin'mad- You're right, insomnia isn't really a mental illness on its own. That said, scientists are finding more and more evidence that there's a strong link between the two - in my experience it can certainly lead to it. I hope you recovered anyway!

Thanks Sabertooth- that's really useful, your story has been so interesting. I'll get back to your latest message as soon as I can.

BefuddledPenguin and geetar- if you want to talk about that any more then please do let me know- if not thanks for your contribution anyway

I've got a far better response to this thread than I expected, so thanks to everyone. I really hope that as mental illness affects so many of us, we keep on speaking about it more openly and help eliminate the stigma attached to it. One day I'd like mental illness to be treated exactly like physical illness. Things are getting better but there's a long way to go!

[The_Lonely_Goatherd]

Hope you got my email. The damn mail client thing is playing up, so I can't quite tell whether it sent or not

[ellaguru]

Hi Lonely Goatherd, I did indeed- and very useful it was too, thanks very much for getting in touch. I've sent you a quick reply

[rock_climber86]

(Original post by Noodlzzz)
Hey, I'm a first year psych student at UCL. Everything was going fantastic 1st term - scholarship, straight 1st etc. Then around January I suffered (and am still) a psychotic episode and have been in and out of hospital since and had to interrupt my studies from the second term onwards. Happy to speak to you in more detail about my experience if you'd like

Hi UCLer! I had an episode before ucl then was seeing a ucl counsellor for 2 years. She was great but she left and in 3rd year I was alone and stressy - kinda let my grade slip a bit but I survived! PM me if you want to chat anytime. I've graduated not but i'm going to imperial in october - hope i don't have a panic attack

Edit: OP I have had a tumultuous history - is it okay if I pm you it? :P

[Noodlzzz]

(Original post by rock_climber86)
Hi UCLer! I had an episode before ucl then was seeing a ucl counsellor for 2 years. She was great but she left and in 3rd year I was alone and stressy - kinda let my grade slip a bit but I survived! PM me if you want to chat anytime. I've graduated not but i'm going to imperial in october - hope i don't have a panic attack

Edit: OP I have had a tumultuous history - is it okay if I pm you it? :P

Thanks for the offer! Could you recommend anything in regards to getting help from UCL? I did use their counselling service but was deemed 'too unwell' for them to work with me. I do have services support outside of UCL, but it would be nice to get help directly from the uni so they're more aware of the situation.

(Original post by ellaguru)
Hi Noodlzzz, I would definitely be interested in hearing more. If you could send me a private message that'd be great. Or I can send you one setting out the sorts of questions I want to ask? (Most of that is included in my original post by the way). Entirely up to you of course

Yeah sure, hit me up with a PM for more questions

[holly6946]

I'll pm you x

[spiritedsummer]

I don't know if this helps but I'm just finishing an OU course and about to start at Surrey in September. I suffer with depression and psychosis with acute insomnia.

[Anonymous]

I'm a medical student and have had long term eating disorders (mainly bulimia, at times anorexia). I have at times had anxiety & depression. The bulimia has affected my studies & time at university a great deal and I may be asked to leave uni. If it would help I can answer questions or write more?

[Soph.Jade]

I dropped out of my first degree because of depression and anxiety. Would be happy to talk if you want to pm me