Depression and anxiety ruining my degree and everything else
Hey,
I'm trying to tackle my mental health problems and need a little advice. I'm at University in London and prior to Christmas break I went to a Walk In Centre and spoke to a Doctor about my mental health, she told me she couldn't herself do anything and I'd have to register with a GP Practice for them to be able to help if that be medication or CBT etc. I registered with the local GP and went home for Christmas, upon my return to London I find that because I hadn't responded to this letter my application was withdrawn. After that I lost the motivation and just sank back into being too scared to ask for help.
Last term I missed a deadline and therefore have to resubmit in the summer. This term because of enormous money issues I've had to work full time and do an "alternative brief" instead of placement. I'm clinging on this job in fact I'm surprised they haven't already let me go. It's two weeks until my deadline and I've no time to do the work.
Every aspect of my life is strained. The stress is really getting to me and it's making everything worse. I really want to graduate with a good grade next year but I don't know how that's ever going to happen right now. I can't let my family down after all they've sacrificed for me to be able to live down here. Is there anyway I can bring my grades back up and not be capped at the -D for non submission? I need time to get help and then rectify this mess I've got myself in.
Also, does anyone have any advice on coping with depression and anxiety? Any treatment that has really helped them? I just want to be able to leave my flat and finish this degree for the sake of my parents.
Thanks
I'm trying to tackle my mental health problems and need a little advice. I'm at University in London and prior to Christmas break I went to a Walk In Centre and spoke to a Doctor about my mental health, she told me she couldn't herself do anything and I'd have to register with a GP Practice for them to be able to help if that be medication or CBT etc. I registered with the local GP and went home for Christmas, upon my return to London I find that because I hadn't responded to this letter my application was withdrawn. After that I lost the motivation and just sank back into being too scared to ask for help.
Last term I missed a deadline and therefore have to resubmit in the summer. This term because of enormous money issues I've had to work full time and do an "alternative brief" instead of placement. I'm clinging on this job in fact I'm surprised they haven't already let me go. It's two weeks until my deadline and I've no time to do the work.
Every aspect of my life is strained. The stress is really getting to me and it's making everything worse. I really want to graduate with a good grade next year but I don't know how that's ever going to happen right now. I can't let my family down after all they've sacrificed for me to be able to live down here. Is there anyway I can bring my grades back up and not be capped at the -D for non submission? I need time to get help and then rectify this mess I've got myself in.
Also, does anyone have any advice on coping with depression and anxiety? Any treatment that has really helped them? I just want to be able to leave my flat and finish this degree for the sake of my parents.
Thanks
Original post by Nojoke
You should absolutely at least try to register with your local GP. It shouldn´t take that long. Maybe handing in the registration in person would make it go faster, or if you say it is urgent? Does your uni provide any support for students?
I didn't think it would take too long either and I did actually all the registry forms in person (it's only around the corner thankfully), but it took the GP 6/7 weeks to get back to me about registering.
I got in contact with the student welling services to try and set up counselling, sent off all my forms etc. they said they'd contact me and help me set up weekly sessions and I never heard back from them after that.
It's kinda crappy when I've done my bit and built up the courage to seek help and then nothing.
Yeah, I can relate to that.
The system in the UK is not easy. I have lived in 2 other countries, and this is by far the most confusing and slow so far.
Last time my GP said - come back in 7 days (you can only book like that if the GP explicitly says so) but no, 1,5 months wait which helps very little when you are adjusting medication and only get prescriptions for a week...
10 min to take care of a whole human.... I don´t believe in that. I find more comfort discussing my problems etc with my chiro back home or the one I see at the school clinic for free. At least they change their facial expression and say "ahh, I understand why that must be difficult for you", sometimes that is all it takes.
BUT, I am not very afraid, I just couldn´t give a crap in the end because they make me not want to come there, but still I go. I know seeking help for these issues can make you feel vulnerable. You are already in a vulnerable place, and the system in the UK doesen´t lift you up like it should. You should still keep fighting Soph, don´t let them make you let yourself go. You are the only one who can say how you feel and how it is to be you. And you owe it to your future self to make sure that you let them know that something is not right. Resend those e-mails to the school/counselling, e-mail your GP center and say it as it is. You need to be seen NOW and not next week or next month, and you have waited long enough. Make it honest, not worse, but don´t sugar coat it at all.
Keep fighting! I know it is hard to fight every day, but you don´t have to, every other day is also a lot better than giving up
Some have chaplaincy at school, or a professor they trust. I saw my psychology teacher, he was great, but unfortunately he moved. And course office tries to help the students in need after the psych. teacher left. Maybe it would help to find one person to trust?
Good luck
The system in the UK is not easy. I have lived in 2 other countries, and this is by far the most confusing and slow so far.
Last time my GP said - come back in 7 days (you can only book like that if the GP explicitly says so) but no, 1,5 months wait which helps very little when you are adjusting medication and only get prescriptions for a week...
10 min to take care of a whole human.... I don´t believe in that. I find more comfort discussing my problems etc with my chiro back home or the one I see at the school clinic for free. At least they change their facial expression and say "ahh, I understand why that must be difficult for you", sometimes that is all it takes.
BUT, I am not very afraid, I just couldn´t give a crap in the end because they make me not want to come there, but still I go. I know seeking help for these issues can make you feel vulnerable. You are already in a vulnerable place, and the system in the UK doesen´t lift you up like it should. You should still keep fighting Soph, don´t let them make you let yourself go. You are the only one who can say how you feel and how it is to be you. And you owe it to your future self to make sure that you let them know that something is not right. Resend those e-mails to the school/counselling, e-mail your GP center and say it as it is. You need to be seen NOW and not next week or next month, and you have waited long enough. Make it honest, not worse, but don´t sugar coat it at all.
Keep fighting! I know it is hard to fight every day, but you don´t have to, every other day is also a lot better than giving up
Some have chaplaincy at school, or a professor they trust. I saw my psychology teacher, he was great, but unfortunately he moved. And course office tries to help the students in need after the psych. teacher left. Maybe it would help to find one person to trust?
Good luck
Oh, and IF you can spare the money, you can get an appointment within 1-2 days time to speak to a psychiatrist over skype. It was 100 pounds per 30 min, but for full hour with report written up and sent to you and your gP + recommendations and prescriptions, it was a little above 200 pounds for all of it. You don´t commit to series of sessions or anything, but at least a specialist within mental health and prescriptions related to that would evaluate you, and the GP will most likely follow you up better?
Just an idea
Just an idea
Original post by Nojoke
Oh, and IF you can spare the money, you can get an appointment within 1-2 days time to speak to a psychiatrist over skype. It was 100 pounds per 30 min, but for full hour with report written up and sent to you and your gP + recommendations and prescriptions, it was a little above 200 pounds for all of it. You don´t commit to series of sessions or anything, but at least a specialist within mental health and prescriptions related to that would evaluate you, and the GP will most likely follow you up better?
Just an idea
Just an idea
I haven't heard of this service before, could you link to their website/give the company's that runs it name?
200pounds for an hour with a written report is pretty good. I saw a couple of private psychiatrists when I lived in the UK and it was a fair bit more (though they were in-person appointments).
One thing I found with the NHS is that you have to sometimes really, really push to get things done,. It's hard enough to struggle like you are but then when you also have to keep it together and pressure them to see you it's even more difficult. But don't give up, it sounds like you could do with seeing someone and hopefully you can find the motivation to keep pushing. I don't really have anything to add, OP; I think Nojoke has given some really good advice. Good luck!
Original post by Sabertooth
I haven't heard of this service before, could you link to their website/give the company's that runs it name?
200pounds for an hour with a written report is pretty good. I saw a couple of private psychiatrists when I lived in the UK and it was a fair bit more (though they were in-person appointments).
One thing I found with the NHS is that you have to sometimes really, really push to get things done,. It's hard enough to struggle like you are but then when you also have to keep it together and pressure them to see you it's even more difficult. But don't give up, it sounds like you could do with seeing someone and hopefully you can find the motivation to keep pushing. I don't really have anything to add, OP; I think Nojoke has given some really good advice. Good luck!
200pounds for an hour with a written report is pretty good. I saw a couple of private psychiatrists when I lived in the UK and it was a fair bit more (though they were in-person appointments).
One thing I found with the NHS is that you have to sometimes really, really push to get things done,. It's hard enough to struggle like you are but then when you also have to keep it together and pressure them to see you it's even more difficult. But don't give up, it sounds like you could do with seeing someone and hopefully you can find the motivation to keep pushing. I don't really have anything to add, OP; I think Nojoke has given some really good advice. Good luck!
Thank you
I found that psychiatry service here: https://www.psychiatry-uk.com/I didn´t know it existed, but at least you can get better options for meds, and a report which your GP and other HC professionals will take seriously.
