The Student Room Group

A Question: DSA, and talking to your doctor

I'm in the process of applying for student finance. I have problems with particularly severe anemia and depression equally. I have been struggling with depression for months but haven't been honest with my doctor. But with the fact my anemia played a large role in the fact I am having to resit this year (I fainted in one of my exams) and knowing I don't want my Uni work to be affected by anything, I wondered:

a) is anemia a valid illness per applying for DSA?
b) if I am only open about my depression now, can I plausibly mention about that regarding DSA as well?

I keep feeling like I shouldn't bother with either, because it isn't an issue as problematic seeming in education compared to something like dyslexia. That is, to me. Still, any experience would be nice.
how does it affect your studies exactly?

Its not as if they will give you moeny for a helper or a computer............................ etc

What could you possibly claim for?

(not sounding harsh - just asking what could you claim for)
eulerwaswrong
how does it affect your studies exactly?

Its not as if they will give you moeny for a helper or a computer............................ etc

What could you possibly claim for?

(not sounding harsh - just asking what could you claim for)


I was thinking that as well.

Even though the OP has a problem, I can't see what they could claim extra money for. And the money is suposed to pay for extra expenses which the average student wouldn't have.

So, for example, I have Crohn's Disease and if I wanted to live in halls it would need to be one with en suite facilities. So the DSA would pay for the difference between normal accommodation and en suite accommodation.

Or if you have difficulty seeing then the DSA would pay for large print handouts.

It's not just a case of you have a problem, here's some money!
Reply 3
mediamaestro


a) is anemia a valid illness per applying for DSA? .


If it affects you on regular basis and has an effect on study (which it seems it does) then yes, it certainly is. Don't think that you need to have a learning disablity or severe physical disability. If something has an impact on your studies then that's all that matters. This includes a range of illness' and medical conditions, like anaemia, epilepsy, diabetes and many more.

b) if I am only open about my depression now, can I plausibly mention about that regarding DSA as well?


Yes, I strongly advise you to try and be open about it now and seek the treatment and advice you need from the GP. It's obviously important that you need to get the right support for that and it may even help, getting it in the open and discussing it. If you don't mind me asking, do your friends or family know about the depression? It's important to maitain relationships (friends and relatives) and get support from them just as much as medical treatment.

But, when it comes to your Needs Assesment, they'd still probably try and take the depression and effects it has even if you haven't been officially diagnosed or recently diagnosed.

eulerwaswrong

Its not as if they will give you moeny for a helper or a computer............................ etc


How do you know? Are you an expert on anemia, how it affects the OP and DSA (and wider support for people with disabilities and medical conditions)?

I don't know who it affects the OP, but I imagine there are a number of things that can be suggested. I'm not talking about the OP in particular here, just more generally, but a voice recorder to record lectures (due to fatigue and poor concetration), a non-medical helper to assist with various things (library assistance, carrying books). Exam concessions (use of a scribe), regular meetings with a tutor/adviser to make sure you're copying with work, discuss any problems you're having. I can think of a number of things, equipment, study arrangements and just general support.
Reply 4
Im no expert, but by the sounds of this you probably wont get the DSA fund, as while anaemia and depression arent nice to suffer (I don't question that), I don't think there's much to actually fund to assist in your studies (in terms of materials), which is what it's for, it's not just extra money.

As for the case in point, regarding your resits, I think you may have a case for appeal if you get rejected, but you may want to mention it to your doctor, and once you've done that you may have a claim for mitigating circumstances.

River85
Exam concessions (use of a scribe), regular meetings with a tutor/adviser to make sure you're copying with work, discuss any problems you're having. I can think of a number of things, equipment, study arrangements and just general support.


Exam concessions are free and availiable for those that are judged to need it via mit circumstances. The rest are all part of the general pastoral system, so any student (even if there's no medical reason) can access it :smile:
Reply 5
DMed
Im no expert, but by the sounds of this you probably wont get the DSA fund, as while anaemia and depression arent nice to suffer (I don't question that), I don't think there's much to actually fund to assist in your studies (in terms of materials), which is what it's for, it's not just extra money.


I'm not an expert, but during my time as my college's disability rep at uni, I became familiar with anaemia. Still far from an expert, I know that it has a number of symptoms and effects but one of the most common is probably fatigue and poor concentration? In that case, I can see a damn good reason why at least some support should be given.

Everyone is an individual, even someone with a medical condition is identical to another person with the same condition. We are all unique and are affected in different ways and to a varying extent. So take this as a general guide, not a list of what I think the OP should receive (as I don't know him/her) but: -

Voice recorder for recording lectures (as a result of poor concentration).

Adjustments to books loans and/or money towards books for private use as well as photocopying.

Non medical helper (assistance in the library, someone to help them carry books and equipment).

If the student commutes by train, and finds crowded situations stressful (ie. they exacerbate the effects of the illness) then they may have the difference between first class and standard class travel paid for them (just like everything else, this needs to be approved by the LEA and there are many who wouldn't really agree to this. Really depends on the student's reasons, how severely they are affected, and the resources avaiable

I can't think of anything right now (except a PDA and possibly a laptop which, yes, can still be justified but will obviously depend on the student's needs) then any extra equipment and training. The cost of training, even just a few hours worth, can run into the thousands.

Combine the anaemia and the depression and it can obviously have significant effects and these need to be indentified.

Again, just to re-iterate, I don't know the OP. But I'd be suprised if they are more undeserving of DSA than I was when I started university (epilepsy, which was well controlled, and depression that affected me throughout my A-levels but was only diagnosed during my year out and was barely discussed).

I was stll provided with an alphasmart keybard, voice recorder (very useful), £200 towards books and another £200 towards photocopying. My adviser, who was actually the director of the Disabilty Service at Durham, realised that I was only mildly affected and didn't have too many needs but had the experience to forsee problems that I didn't.

I also have dyspraxia/Asperger's and the depression was actually Bipolar Disorder. These have had a far greater effect but weren't diagnosed at the time (not until my third year at university) so didn't influence the support I received at the time.

Exam concessions are free and availiable for those that are judged to need it via mit circumstances. The rest are all part of the general pastoral system, so any student (even if there's no medical reason) can access it :smile:


I know and I also know the OP mentioned DSA, but as part of wider disability support then it's important that they are in touch with the disaiblity service and exam concessions, meeting with a person tutor, lecture notes, guided reading etc, all free to the student, should still be identified in a Needs Assesment. DSA is for meeting additional costs associated with one's disability but a needs assesment is more than just identifying support that costs money.
River85
If it affects you on regular basis and has an effect on study (which it seems it does) then yes, it certainly is. Don't think that you need to have a learning disablity or severe physical disability. If something has an impact on your studies then that's all that matters. This includes a range of illness' and medical conditions, like anaemia, epilepsy, diabetes and many more.



Yes, I strongly advise you to try and be open about it now and seek the treatment and advice you need from the GP. It's obviously important that you need to get the right support for that and it may even help, getting it in the open and discussing it. If you don't mind me asking, do your friends or family know about the depression? It's important to maitain relationships (friends and relatives) and get support from them just as much as medical treatment.

But, when it comes to your Needs Assesment, they'd still probably try and take the depression and effects it has even if you haven't been officially diagnosed or recently diagnosed.



How do you know? Are you an expert on anemia, how it affects the OP and DSA (and wider support for people with disabilities and medical conditions)?

I don't know who it affects the OP, but I imagine there are a number of things that can be suggested. I'm not talking about the OP in particular here, just more generally, but a voice recorder to record lectures (due to fatigue and poor concetration), a non-medical helper to assist with various things (library assistance, carrying books). Exam concessions (use of a scribe), regular meetings with a tutor/adviser to make sure you're copying with work, discuss any problems you're having. I can think of a number of things, equipment, study arrangements and just general support.



I didnt mean to sound critical - but when i read over the post i could see how critical i may have sounded. No im not an expert - i was just thinking of things - i was just trying to say you need to think of somethingyou could actually claim for - you cant claim just for being anaemic - you claim for how badly it affects your studies.

And by the way im diabetic - there is absolutely nothing you can claim for - nothing - im aware that it may affect people differently but diabetes is all down to how well you control it - its not as if i get ill because of my diabetes - i get ill because i dont control my diabetes - so unless its self inflicted it doesnt affect my studies at all. So its impossible to claim for DSA/DLA etc surely?
Reply 7
Wow, I didn't expect to cause quite such a furore.

My anemia affected me badly enough that I am having to resit my A Level exams because it was so severe throughout them I was collapsing in one and could not focus in the rest. I found it extremely difficult to revise and keep my attention up doing so as well. I still do and while my college is a little more aware this time around I still have to take naps daily, due to the level of fatigue I experience. I would not expect to get equipment, but maybe aid or assistance. But saying that this is why I raised the question, in part to find out if it would be worth making an application and in part because I don't want my Uni chances and marks to be impacted on as well. But from the overwhelming amount of "no"s I have recieved, I may simply leave it be.
Please tell me you're getting treatment for both of these conditions...
mediamaestro
Wow, I didn't expect to cause quite such a furore.

My anemia affected me badly enough that I am having to resit my A Level exams because it was so severe throughout them I was collapsing in one and could not focus in the rest. I found it extremely difficult to revise and keep my attention up doing so as well. I still do and while my college is a little more aware this time around I still have to take naps daily, due to the level of fatigue I experience. I would not expect to get equipment, but maybe aid or assistance. But saying that this is why I raised the question. And from the overwhelming amount of "no"s I have recieved, I may simply leave it be.


I didnt mean to sound critical in my first post - i was just trying to say you cant claim for being disabled - you claim because the disability affects your studies. It is now clear it obviously does affect your studies - and you will probably be entitled to whatever you may need.

Because i put down i had a disability on my ucas form - i have received numerous forms etc from my prospective unis and have sent me lots of information about dsa and how they can help me claim it etc (bit of adivce to everyone out there never but down you have a disability on a form if it doesnt affect you like diabetes for example - you end up having to fill in countless forms and you dont get any benefit from it either).

Bottom line: definately claim it - you obvious need assisstance and you will probably be entitled to it
Reply 10
Ah, okay. Thankyou. I see my doctor soon for a regular blood test, so I will be able to speak to them then.
Reply 11
Also, to clear up any misconceptions - I apologise if I worded it funny at all, I did not mean "claiming for being disabled" but that my anemia does affect my study, and that I was wondering because it is not so much mentioned compared to complications that affect study like dyslexia or dyspraxia. Sorry if it came off that way!
Reply 12
People get very nowty about 'unseen' conditions (though I'd question how 'unseen' these always are......).
On the advice of my counsellor I claimed DSA for a number of (entirely) mental health conditions and am about to receive alot of support.
Be open about it with uni. Those who've said 'no' are not specialists and don't do Needs Assessments...
Reply 13
I probably should have been a little clearer. My anemia I am having treatment for but it is not improving. It has been this way for over a year - up and down and up and down despite supplements and supplementing through diet. As for my depression: it is a known problem of mine and I have been diagnosed for years. When I say "I haven't told my doctor", I mean, I have yet to tell him it has been particularly bad lately. Saying that, that may still equate to the same thing.
Slight side track, but on the diabetes thing...

Some well managed diabetics will need no further support at all. Others will be unstable, and however hard they try to manage their condition they can't keep their levels right all the time.

As a student living away from home in shared accomodation there are things that can make a massive difference, like a fridge in own room, partly for keeping food supplies in and safe from others 'borrowing' and for any medication that may need refrigerating (I know most insulins now don't, but some do), or even something like a contact with someone every morning to make sure they woke up from the night before.

If you hypo'd in your sleep at home, someone you live with would notice you not waking up in the morning, if it happens as a student, chances are no one will.

It's a good example of how the same condition can effect people very differently.
Reply 15
wideawake
... Clearly I would also be seeking expert advice on the management of your anaemia as well. Do the doctors know what is causing it? Does your doctor realise how badly you are affected by it? Has it been investigated thoroughly to find the underlying cause? I would hope so if it is having such a profound effect on your life, including the need for regular naps during the day and having to resit a year of your course. Depending on the cause, anaemia is potentially a treatable condition which need not affect you so profoundly so that is why I am asking about whether it has been fully investigated by specialists.


My anemia was caused through restrictive anorexia. It's iron-deficiency anemia. I was really, really unwell when it was diagnosed, and at its lowest my haemoglobin level was something ridiculous like 2. The norm for a female is 11-15 if I remember correctly. Initially through a given meal plan and heavy supplementing we managed to get the levels to jump within a week. As such my doctor decided not to put me in for a transfusion, though to the day I am still baffled she did not put me in for one in the first place. My sister also suffers from (iron deficiency) anemia thanks to ulcerative colitis, and when her levels were below 5, she was put in for a transfusion in the same day.

But I have never since been able to get it back above anything higher than 9 even though my diet is more than sufficient, now, in both food groups and calories, and thoroughly varied. As well as this my weight is now at a healthy range. For something initially caused through another illness, the anemia now seems to have become a serious and debilitating problem in its own right. >_<

But it is not a hereditary/genetic anemia.
Reply 16
I think the reason she gave at the time was a fear of hurting me at the weight I was at. I was also being threatened with a daypatient admission at the time... so... that might explain it.
Reply 17
I wasn't suggesting that the OP didn't need to go to there Dr., just that in these circumstances it is always worth applying. You can only be rejected...