My anxiety forced me to withdraw from university

So, just 8 weeks ago I went to Edinburgh university to study Philosophy and it aggravated my anxiety to the point where I had to withdraw. I hated everything about it and just was not in the right mind to study - in fact I am now considering reapplying for a different subject. I feel like I have really let myself down. Although I know taking a break from studying is what I need, and I am planning on getting a job and completing my grade 8 piano (which I never managed to do before leaving home for 6 weeks of hell!), I am terrified that when I apply for university commencing September 2015 I will have exactly the same problems with anxiety.

I have been recommended cognitive behavioural therapy by my doctor to try and help me cope with my anxiety, but I just have so many negative connotations relating to university life.

I am most definitely staying closer to home, and am planning on applying to Durham and Newcastle to study History instead, but I am scared that my anxiety will make me equally unhappy no matter where I am.

At Edinburgh I was self-catered, 40 minutes walk from the university, and had an en-suite room which made socialising even more difficult for me. I really want to make some friends this time round since I became so reclusive and depressed about my anxiety when I was there.

I would appreciate it so much if you guys who may have similar problems could advise me on what sort of environment I should choose next year when applying to university to make my anxiety easier to cope with.

Thank you so much xx

So, just 8 weeks ago I went to Edinburgh university to study Philosophy and it aggravated my anxiety to the point where I had to withdraw. I hated everything about it and just was not in the right mind to study - in fact I am now considering reapplying for a different subject. I feel like I have really let myself down. Although I know taking a break from studying is what I need, and I am planning on getting a job and completing my grade 8 piano (which I never managed to do before leaving home for 6 weeks of hell!), I am terrified that when I apply for university commencing September 2015 I will have exactly the same problems with anxiety.

I have been recommended cognitive behavioural therapy by my doctor to try and help me cope with my anxiety, but I just have so many negative connotations relating to university life.

I am most definitely staying closer to home, and am planning on applying to Durham and Newcastle to study History instead, but I am scared that my anxiety will make me equally unhappy no matter where I am.

At Edinburgh I was self-catered, 40 minutes walk from the university, and had an en-suite room which made socialising even more difficult for me. I really want to make some friends this time round since I became so reclusive and depressed about my anxiety when I was there.

I would appreciate it so much if you guys who may have similar problems could advise me on what sort of environment I should choose next year when applying to university to make my anxiety easier to cope with.

Thank you so much xx

Hey I can relate to this somehwat I dropped out of uni of liv cos of bad anxiety. So bad I couldn't even go in, and if in classes couldn't make words come out of my mouth. I went back to a diff uni (uni of mancs) and things have gone a lot better at that uni.

1) I would say go to a diff uni, I know for me I just now hate the uni of liv and have an irrational hatred of it. Because I changed uni all those anxious fears (of what if it happens again) & memories have dissipated somewhat.

2) Really think about what you want to study, if its history then that's good but think about it v carefully. Think about your career after uni too.

3) Take your doctor's CBT and if you need medicine start taking it in the run up to next september (some takes a while to work). Depending on your anxiety there are good books too.

Yeah its best you get closer to home so help from family is there when you need it.
Now for the anxiety issue I can defiantly relate I had health anxiety (first mental health problem I've had) after falling ill in the middle of my exams this summer (I had panic attacks etc) but instead of going to the doctors my dad advised me to put myself back out there(as I liked going outside a lot before) and just told me I need to get over myself (as it was all in my head)and I tell you what it worked 100%

So I say go out have a walk in the countryside, go to the cinema, get a temp job keep yourself busy and by keeping busy and socialising then your fears will go away as your mind will be busy with other stuff

CBT is the best for anxiety/depression etc. conditions works in the long term as they teach you that its all in your head anyways whereas tablets they prescribe to a lot of people make them get hooked and dependent on them(avoid this situation)

I've noticed myself that anxiety / depression has gone up in our generation perhaps we shouldn't label them as such serious conditions so people would feel more relaxed about getting over anxiety.

Lol with the life I've led most of my mates say they'd consider suicide from what I've gone thru but hey that's life I'm still jolly
and you know whenever you see on TV those poor kids orphaned kids in Africa and you just think there life is far more depressing/anxiety filled than mine yet they are still happy cause they have hope.
Aim high and hold onto hope and whenever you feel down just think my life is great its better than the majority of the worlds and I can do even better with myself.
Good luck

Thank you, I know that anxiety/phobias is something you really need to overcome on your own. I'm looking forward to CBT so that I can train my mind in such a way that I will be able to stop myself getting so panicky. My parents are the same about pushing myself and I'm going to make the most of this unexpected gap year by getting a job and trying new things despite how difficult they are for me. I will take your words of wisdom concerning holding onto hope too!
Thank you for your advice, means a lot x

Don't feel as though you've let yourself down- anxiety is horrible, but it's not your fault! I struggled last year to the point where I almost dropped out, in the middle of my 3rd year, but someone recommended counselling. I went for an assessment with them, and they said that they thought cbt would be a better fit for me. It was tough, but now I'm feeling much more positive, and I'm getting on with my final year. When you do start at another uni, find out if they offer anything like this (my cbt was through the uni's student services), or else if there are any local organisations that do. try to stay positive, it's difficult when you're going through anxiety issues, but when you manage to work through it, you'll be a stronger person for it x