Does depression count as an "exceptional circumstance"?

Mr. Sparkle

NT

(edited 12 years ago)

Reply 1

emmarainbow

12

Depression sounds pretty exceptional to me - it can be really debilitating. If I were you I'd get professionally diagnosed though, and then you have 'proof' as it were...

Poor you having to deal with it on your own. I'd see the doctor (not necessarily just to take pills). Apathy can also be a symptom of other things, so you should get checked out.

Good luck!

Reply 2

ßlαcksωαn

17

It bloody well should be .

Reply 3

Anonymous #1

OP, I think you should get to a doctors quicksmart and inform the university of everything you've just told us.
What you are suffering from is definitely depression, from what I can see. A lot of what you just described is exactly what I suffered from before I left university for a year. The avoiding tasks/fear of trying thing is exactly what I experienced. You description is probably the closest I've come across on this website, in fact.
It was those "exceptional circumstances" that allowed me to return without consequences.
However, I have to say, you might have a couple of problems 'convincing' the university. I'm sure it will be ok in the end, after medical assessment, but they will find it a little strange that you never went to the doctors to talk about this over two years.
If they are going to let you back into uni you also need to prove that you've sought help for your problem and are tackling it. i.e. I needed to take medication and see a counsellor for a while, then get a medical certificate saying I was fit for university after my time off.
Anyway, I have a lot of sympathy for you and I hope it works out.

Reply 4

guitargirl03

13

Yes,depression is an eceptional circumstance. During my A levels I suffered with depression and it was affecting my grades. I told the head and he told the examination boards.

You will need to go to the doctors where it can all be confrmed and you will probably need to have some form of evidence from the doctor, i.e. a letter.

Reply 5

starchild

15

Unfortunately I can speak on A Levels, when I approached my head of sixth and the exam boards they said that my claim of depression (post traumatic stress) was not enough to impact upon my results. :frown:

Reply 6

Nix!

11

I was depressed during my A-levels and even the start of university. Since I've gotten better, things have become a lot easier, so yeah -- I'd say it's a pretty exceptional circumstance. Look at it this way; my grades went from 'just enough' to very good. The only difference between them was my state of mind. The biggest mistake I ever made was not telling my GP exactly how I was feeling, although I'm sure he suspected it. Take yourself down to your doctor and speak to him/her.

Reply 7

A Shining Light

A friend of mine is gonna be 31 before he graduates! Well ok he's done a degree already & is now doing Medicine. But because of some issues he's had time off for a year & retaking 4th year.

Reply 8

Mr. Sparkle

OP

NT

(edited 12 years ago)

Reply 9

JMonkey

3

Yep especially if its clinical. I got a C in my English aural in college because I was clinically depressed and missed it so they subbed that into my overall grade. Also any University will see depression as extenuating circumstances, I know this first hand. Of course you can't just say I was depressed that's why I spent so much time ahem.. (on the beach) Er away from lectures.

A friend of mine never turned up to any lectures except experiments, and he was let off because he had severe anxiety issues. Mind you he passed with flying colours anyway. So I think most Universities are pretty sympathetic from what I know.