depression/anxiety diagnosis left too late?

Tbh, I would def go see your GP. Even if you don't wanna start meds right away, I'd imagine your uni would only accept a letter from a GP or psychiatrist as proof of a mental health problem/diagnosis. So you'd need to go anyway.

It sounds like these problems have been going on a very long time and as though you are very hard on yourself for things that you shouldn't be so hung up on I think CBT could help to learn how to identify and unlearn these thought processes, so def give it a try once offered it.

You probs should have got help a bit earlier but like you say, you didn't recognise you had problems because your thoughts and feelings were being invalidated at home. It's always better late than never, so do keep seeking the help you both need and deserve

thank you for your reply and kindness *hugs*
when in the "storm" while still at school i did go to some online help, i think the website is called Kooth.... i spent hours on there talking to counsellors, but it was just venting really. then I went to uni but my GP was in my home town 2 hours away. i have a different gp now but for only about a year and i felt more or less ok last year. now i'm in the middle of applying to MSc courses and i know i won't get accepted everywhere and that's ok. i'm just kind of scared that i won't cope and it'll send me down a spiral again

Counselling and CBT are quite different: CBT is more focused and goal-directed, and you'll get "homework" to do, etc. I think if you can learn to engage with it and be honest with your therapist, it might help in some small way in the long-term.

Are you sure you're in a stable mindframe to be applying to MSc courses atm? I don't wanna discourage you completely or anything - it can be good to have something to work towards. But they can be hard work and stress can exacerbate existing mental health issues

Never too late.

Go to see your GP for diagnosis and treatment. To get better also to tic if needed for uni. they cant if they dont know.

You also need to let your tutor know/ dept. they can trace it back to your other uni and see its an ongoing issue. Hopefully they see how bright you are (theyr are experienced) and they cna decide what adjustments need to be made.

Bit of a journey for you. You cna discuss your concerns on medication with your GP. You also need to eat a balanced diet, try and relax plys a bit of exercise cna be great for depression.

theres some support services you cna chat to here
http://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/guides-to-support-and-services/crisis-services/telephone-support/#lis

Hang in there.

yes, the difference was explained to me today... counselling is more like digging in the past and understanding where issues are from, and CBT is more learning techniques how to face certain situations.. i think the latter will be more useful, especially with the presentation coming up. i mentioned that counselling website because it's the only thing i did seek all those years ago, i don't use it now.
honestly, i don't feel confident with MSc, i've been doubtful whether i'll pass that... but i've applied already, even if it's without belief i'll get a place, partly to satisfy my mother's wishes. but i do genuinely want to study again.
slightly off topic, but what is the difference between a general gp appointment and a routine one? would it be ok to book a routine appointment for this matter? no general ones seem to be available on their website

I'm not too sure what the difference is but I suspect a routine appointment is where you have a specific condition and therefore have to see the GP/the GP wants to see you every X amount of weeks? Whereas a general one may be more... general? Dunno, sorry - my GP practice doesn't have that symptom.

I hope you don't mind me asking this but are you South Asian at all? Coz your parents sound very typically South Asian... hope that's not rude (I'm South Asian myself, that's why I noticed/am asking)

thank you for your reply i don't quite understand what you mean by tracing back to other uni - there was no record of me telling anyone anything was wrong with me or my life, i checked the mitigating circumstances beforehand and my family stuff didn't fall into it.

I meant if you disclose it to your GP that you have been through difficult times before (thats how you ended up at your current uni) then he could probably see youve been suffering with some mental trauma, anxiety or depression for a long time. Thing its its just not been diagnosed. means you cna make more of a case for mitigating circs if need be.

Oh and its not too late and you can deal with it.

No worries drop me a line if you struggle. Anyone that had done the 3rd year twice would have been traumatised, so its not that you are weak youve just been unhappy and not diagnosed.

Just brilliant advice throughout.

embarrassed, but thanks.


OP can I just say something about mitigating circumstances.


The most important thing is to get you diagnosed and treated so you get beyyer and get on top of all this trauma/ anxiety/ stress/ depression or whatever it is. the aim ofc is to be happy , carefree and optimistic.

That said with mitigating circumstances there tends to be be two sorts.

Type 1. As soon as something comes wrong they know the rules and start pleading MC remark resit regrade. they know how the system works and make sure they get ebery advantage they can or alternatively and disadvantage compesnated for becayse they are competitive amd kmow the rules.

Type 2. Those who struggle on and dont ask for help, they feel embarrassed and weak about it. That means their disadvantage is never recognised, nobody will know or care and you go off with marks which werent a true representation, especially if you were not mentally well.

What matters is you get diagnosed and then make sure you get fair consideration by your department to takewhat youve been though into account and they know the score. It requires you to fight your corner and be a bit pushy, so dont be shy.

When the grades are done then nobody else will care. make sure your situation is known about so you get a fair ****, so you have no regrets when you look back. the type 1 people will look after themselves, so be strong and speak up.
get a stydent rep if you dont know what to do. Anyone would have difficulties with your journey.

embarrassed, but thanks.