I was isolated and suicidal in sixth form, and it feels that it will never get better
This is more of a vent, so I apologise for the wall of text.
I [m19] started sixth form in September 2021 as an external student, after attending a grammar school for secondary school but being rejected because my GCSEs weren't good enough ( despite not sitting the exams). I was heartbroken by this, but more gutted at the fact that I would have to leave behind 3 of my closest friends.
Although I started sixth form with hopes to make friends and move on, my mental health plummeted. I made one friend in the first week, but he found a friendship group and we never spoke again (which I have no animosity or problem with). My biggest issue was my incredibly subpar social skills, and it still is. I don't know what exactly is wrong with me, but for some reason I just can't verbally communicate properly with people (outside of my family). I can muster up one or two word sentences, but that's it. I struggled to approach people, let alone hold conversations with them. I always sat in the corner and pretty much isolated myself, and I was the only person in the year group with no friends at all. As I progressed into Year 12 and eventually Year 13, this worsened. I became incredibly avoidant and somehow scared of everyone in my year group, and as a result, stayed away from the sixth form area and isolated myself in the library. I don't know where this came from, but I felt constantly paranoid and restless when near people. Being isolated eventually stemmed into suicidal thoughts and depressive episodes, which I also suffered in silence.
My head of sixth form found out that I was struggling with suicidal thoughts because I quite stupidly searched up "How to deal with suicidal thoughts" on the school computer in a lesson, which was traced back to me. I struggled to really say what was wrong with me, just that I was lonely, tired and just struggling. As a result, all they offered me was referring me to the school counsellor. I did attend about 2-3 sessions, but they were not beneficial to me at all - instead the sessions made me feel worse.
This in turn also affected my grades. I was an A-B achieving student at the start of Year 12 and I wished to keep it this way, but I just couldn't focus on anything at all. I would bring myself to revise, but couldn't - as I would just get distracted by my thoughts - ironic because of how much time I spent in the library. My predicted grades were also very poor ( C, D and Merit) which shattered my self-confidence even more, and so I didn't apply to university, and instead planned to take a year out.
I also revised very little for the A-Level exams itself at all - at this point I was numb and tired of everything. I achieved the exact same results as my predicted grades, but at the time I didn't care and was just glad I didn't fail anything.
After taking a year out (and doing work experience, but nothing else), I applied to university, and that brings us to now. I applied to a local university because my grades weren't really good enough to move away anywhere unless I took a foundation year - which I am not keen on (I go to BCU, if this is relevant) . I regret not moving away, now, but I can't really drop out. I made a post on transferring also, and I am beginning to email the faculty/student support, aiming to get a transfer for the next academic year.
I don't know why I am the way I am, nor do I even know what is wrong with me. I have suspected Avoidant Personality Disorder simultanously with major Social Anxiety, but I haven't recieved a diagnosis, so I can't comment for sure. My social skills are still very poor, and I understand that exposure therapy works best, but I am just too anxious to try it, and even when I do, I feel worse after socialising. I am still lonely at university, but I don't really care anymore.
I recognise that I do need help, but I just don't know where to start. I'd really like a diagnosis at least, but my parents unfortunately don't believe in mental illness and have enough problems of their own. I don't even know my own GP nor how to contact them.
I just feels incredibly isolating and dejecting to feel that nobody out there went what I went through, or know what I went through. I never had my feelings validated either, even by the school counsellor. I try to move on, but it just feels that all the isolation and non-existent self confidence has somehow scarred me permanently. I just don't know how it's going to get better for me socially or mentally - if I struggled in forced proximity, how will I cope as an adult? How will I cope for the rest of university? I do try to put behind everything that happened to me, but I always spiral and suddenly I'm the 16-17 year old loser in sixth form, unable to fit in.
I would really appreciate if anyone can offer advice and support on what I could do to stop feeling like this, and to get better. I understand that it will probably be a long process, but I'm just tired of feeling like this.
[tldr- isolated and depressed in sixth form. got **** grades, and unable to move on as it has still impacted my self confidence, and still socially inept]
I [m19] started sixth form in September 2021 as an external student, after attending a grammar school for secondary school but being rejected because my GCSEs weren't good enough ( despite not sitting the exams). I was heartbroken by this, but more gutted at the fact that I would have to leave behind 3 of my closest friends.
Although I started sixth form with hopes to make friends and move on, my mental health plummeted. I made one friend in the first week, but he found a friendship group and we never spoke again (which I have no animosity or problem with). My biggest issue was my incredibly subpar social skills, and it still is. I don't know what exactly is wrong with me, but for some reason I just can't verbally communicate properly with people (outside of my family). I can muster up one or two word sentences, but that's it. I struggled to approach people, let alone hold conversations with them. I always sat in the corner and pretty much isolated myself, and I was the only person in the year group with no friends at all. As I progressed into Year 12 and eventually Year 13, this worsened. I became incredibly avoidant and somehow scared of everyone in my year group, and as a result, stayed away from the sixth form area and isolated myself in the library. I don't know where this came from, but I felt constantly paranoid and restless when near people. Being isolated eventually stemmed into suicidal thoughts and depressive episodes, which I also suffered in silence.
My head of sixth form found out that I was struggling with suicidal thoughts because I quite stupidly searched up "How to deal with suicidal thoughts" on the school computer in a lesson, which was traced back to me. I struggled to really say what was wrong with me, just that I was lonely, tired and just struggling. As a result, all they offered me was referring me to the school counsellor. I did attend about 2-3 sessions, but they were not beneficial to me at all - instead the sessions made me feel worse.
This in turn also affected my grades. I was an A-B achieving student at the start of Year 12 and I wished to keep it this way, but I just couldn't focus on anything at all. I would bring myself to revise, but couldn't - as I would just get distracted by my thoughts - ironic because of how much time I spent in the library. My predicted grades were also very poor ( C, D and Merit) which shattered my self-confidence even more, and so I didn't apply to university, and instead planned to take a year out.
I also revised very little for the A-Level exams itself at all - at this point I was numb and tired of everything. I achieved the exact same results as my predicted grades, but at the time I didn't care and was just glad I didn't fail anything.
After taking a year out (and doing work experience, but nothing else), I applied to university, and that brings us to now. I applied to a local university because my grades weren't really good enough to move away anywhere unless I took a foundation year - which I am not keen on (I go to BCU, if this is relevant) . I regret not moving away, now, but I can't really drop out. I made a post on transferring also, and I am beginning to email the faculty/student support, aiming to get a transfer for the next academic year.
I don't know why I am the way I am, nor do I even know what is wrong with me. I have suspected Avoidant Personality Disorder simultanously with major Social Anxiety, but I haven't recieved a diagnosis, so I can't comment for sure. My social skills are still very poor, and I understand that exposure therapy works best, but I am just too anxious to try it, and even when I do, I feel worse after socialising. I am still lonely at university, but I don't really care anymore.
I recognise that I do need help, but I just don't know where to start. I'd really like a diagnosis at least, but my parents unfortunately don't believe in mental illness and have enough problems of their own. I don't even know my own GP nor how to contact them.
I just feels incredibly isolating and dejecting to feel that nobody out there went what I went through, or know what I went through. I never had my feelings validated either, even by the school counsellor. I try to move on, but it just feels that all the isolation and non-existent self confidence has somehow scarred me permanently. I just don't know how it's going to get better for me socially or mentally - if I struggled in forced proximity, how will I cope as an adult? How will I cope for the rest of university? I do try to put behind everything that happened to me, but I always spiral and suddenly I'm the 16-17 year old loser in sixth form, unable to fit in.
I would really appreciate if anyone can offer advice and support on what I could do to stop feeling like this, and to get better. I understand that it will probably be a long process, but I'm just tired of feeling like this.
[tldr- isolated and depressed in sixth form. got **** grades, and unable to move on as it has still impacted my self confidence, and still socially inept]
(edited 1 year ago)
Reply 1
Hey this is my very first message on this app, never intended to comment on anyone’s post really , but I think my words could be of some use rn. After reading your post I just want you to know whatever’s going on with ur life rn will get better . Believe it or not . One day you’ll be loking back at these times and all these worries you have won’t feel as big as they do rn. Please seek any type of help u can , you’re not alone in this . I’m not an expert in this matter but I do believe you should most definitely chase up ur university and let them know about everything. Everyone goes through tough times , asking for help doesn’t make u weak . Your life will get better . Just know people come and go , if people don’t stay , then that’s got nothing to do with u . There’s nothing wrong with u .
I just got rejected from an apprenticeship I really Reallyyy wanted , thought my life was over so I searched up rejection and somehow your post appeared , after reading it my worries didn’t seem as big anymore , I started being thankful for the things I do have and stopped focusing on stuff I don’t . Bottom line is we all think our worries are the biggest but what we don’t realise is that everyone’s going trough their own share of struggles . No one’s life is perfect , might seem like it but it’s not .
Please please I strongly recommend you listen to the Quran . Just go on YouTube and search up “ Surah As-Saffat” and click on the one from zikrullah tv . I’m not asking u to leave your religion and convert . But please trust me on this , listen to it once , once and your heart will be at peace . You’ll genuinely feel soooo much better . You don’t even have to listen to the whole video . Just a few minutes even .
Please know that you are wanted in this world , we haven’t met in person but I know you’re a lovely person . Your grades do not define you . Whatever’s happened has happened . You can’t go Back to change things now . What you can do is do the stuff u wanted to do now so u have no regrets in the future . We always wish we started younger . But today is the youngest you’ll ever be (quote from a person who’s name I do not know )
Bottom line is seek any medical help you can , please try to get closer to God , and know u can’t change the past but u can change the future .
Sorry I think i wrote wayyy too much but I think I needed to as no one else commented yet . There are many people in this world that may be going through similar situations rn . You’re not alone . You need to start loving yourself , which I know can be challenging. Whatever happened was not ur fault . Please start doing things for other people because for me at least, that’s the thing that makes me happy . Finding happiness can be hard but you deserve all the happiness in the world . If moving unis makes u happy then do it , keep asking until u get it . (I know it’s much harder then that but nvr stop trying)
(Future comments ppl plz don’t bully tge hell out of me , I’m just a girl Trynna help )
if I said something wrong then I’m genuinely very very sorry , I just pray that everything gets better for u .
I just got rejected from an apprenticeship I really Reallyyy wanted , thought my life was over so I searched up rejection and somehow your post appeared , after reading it my worries didn’t seem as big anymore , I started being thankful for the things I do have and stopped focusing on stuff I don’t . Bottom line is we all think our worries are the biggest but what we don’t realise is that everyone’s going trough their own share of struggles . No one’s life is perfect , might seem like it but it’s not .
Please please I strongly recommend you listen to the Quran . Just go on YouTube and search up “ Surah As-Saffat” and click on the one from zikrullah tv . I’m not asking u to leave your religion and convert . But please trust me on this , listen to it once , once and your heart will be at peace . You’ll genuinely feel soooo much better . You don’t even have to listen to the whole video . Just a few minutes even .
Please know that you are wanted in this world , we haven’t met in person but I know you’re a lovely person . Your grades do not define you . Whatever’s happened has happened . You can’t go Back to change things now . What you can do is do the stuff u wanted to do now so u have no regrets in the future . We always wish we started younger . But today is the youngest you’ll ever be (quote from a person who’s name I do not know )
Bottom line is seek any medical help you can , please try to get closer to God , and know u can’t change the past but u can change the future .
Sorry I think i wrote wayyy too much but I think I needed to as no one else commented yet . There are many people in this world that may be going through similar situations rn . You’re not alone . You need to start loving yourself , which I know can be challenging. Whatever happened was not ur fault . Please start doing things for other people because for me at least, that’s the thing that makes me happy . Finding happiness can be hard but you deserve all the happiness in the world . If moving unis makes u happy then do it , keep asking until u get it . (I know it’s much harder then that but nvr stop trying)
(Future comments ppl plz don’t bully tge hell out of me , I’m just a girl Trynna help )
if I said something wrong then I’m genuinely very very sorry , I just pray that everything gets better for u .
Reply 2
r4janv
OP
2
Hey, thanks for your kind response and kind words! They really mean a lot.
I am also very sorry about not getting the apprenticeship you wanted. Hopefully it will work out for you too, just keep applying and keep going at it, you'll find something. 🙌
I took a few moments to read your reply as a whole, and what you've said is one of the nicest and most reassuring things someone has said to me, so again, thank you! You're absolutely right, everyone is struggling, and nobody is perfect. We are all going through something, even if we try to hide it well. That helped me reflect that I am truly not alone, even if it feels like it right now.
On top of this, you also helped me realise that I need to be thankful for everything - I've spent too much time just being negative and constantly reflecting on the bad things, but not the good things - mistakes are there to help us look to the future and take things differently next time.
I also appreciate your words about God and Religion, but I am not really a religious person - I never have been. Honestly connecting to God may be beneficial to me, but I don't really see myself going down that road.
Regardless, thanks so much for your words. I only wish you weren't an anonymous account so I could give you "Rep" and thank you properly. I also highly doubt anyone would bully you for your words and goodwill. (but to be fair, its why I posted this on TSR and not sites like Reddit).
Take care, and I do hope you secure an apprenticeship 🙂
I am also very sorry about not getting the apprenticeship you wanted. Hopefully it will work out for you too, just keep applying and keep going at it, you'll find something. 🙌
I took a few moments to read your reply as a whole, and what you've said is one of the nicest and most reassuring things someone has said to me, so again, thank you! You're absolutely right, everyone is struggling, and nobody is perfect. We are all going through something, even if we try to hide it well. That helped me reflect that I am truly not alone, even if it feels like it right now.
On top of this, you also helped me realise that I need to be thankful for everything - I've spent too much time just being negative and constantly reflecting on the bad things, but not the good things - mistakes are there to help us look to the future and take things differently next time.
I also appreciate your words about God and Religion, but I am not really a religious person - I never have been. Honestly connecting to God may be beneficial to me, but I don't really see myself going down that road.
Regardless, thanks so much for your words. I only wish you weren't an anonymous account so I could give you "Rep" and thank you properly. I also highly doubt anyone would bully you for your words and goodwill. (but to be fair, its why I posted this on TSR and not sites like Reddit).
Take care, and I do hope you secure an apprenticeship 🙂
Honestly I had a not dissimilar experience, albeit my "withdrawal" really came to a head at university rather in 6th form. I had tried sticking it out for some time in my course but in the end that really kind of made things worse.
What ultimately helped was taking a break from full time education, and going into work, while also getting support from my GP (diagnoses, trialling different treatment options to find one that worked for me). Having family support was helpful in that time too (although I wasn't always exactly grateful for it at the time I am glad my family did support me then) and spending a few years working and having some level of independence and supporting myself to some extent helped a lot with my general outlook on things. Working also significantly helped with the social anxiety issues I had (which were similar to yours) because although I was mostly spending my time doing my job, incidental engagements with my colleagues helped me get more used to lower stakes social engagements and practice engaging in rather mindless small talk and such (which used to cause me extreme anxiety).
It also meant that when I did later make the decision to go back to higher education, I had a much more focused approach to my academic course (leading to better results so far, mostly) and much more realistic approaches to socialising with my cohort and also better coping skills for managing my anxieties
Granted it felt like I couldn't leave education as it would be some kind of abject failure on my part (which is why I tried to stick it out for so long - although this was also compounded by some sunk cost fallacy thinking) so I understand it's difficult to consider the option. But genuinely it did really help to just get out of that educational environment for a while (where everything can feel very high pressure), and experience the life in a different way (to realise there is life outside of education - and even if you do go back to study, a lot of your life is going to be spent in that different environment in the end once you graduate anyway!).
Also practically speaking, you really run no risks in leaving earlier in your current academic career to take a break, then going back. A "false start" at another uni isn't going to be held against you if you reapply elsewhere later, and I don't think employers really care about it (in my experience it doesn't seem to have been an issue?). Plus as you're just at the start, you'll only "lose" one year of your full time funding entitlement with SFE, which will just mean your "gift year" will be used up and importantly you'll still have enough funding to fund a full time undergraduate degree if you do go back later!
So maybe that's something to explore - looking for jobs near you, see what's out there. If you find something that suits then try applying and see how it goes and if you get an offer, you can maybe think about taking some time away from education - and you'll always be able to return to education later if you want to
What ultimately helped was taking a break from full time education, and going into work, while also getting support from my GP (diagnoses, trialling different treatment options to find one that worked for me). Having family support was helpful in that time too (although I wasn't always exactly grateful for it at the time I am glad my family did support me then) and spending a few years working and having some level of independence and supporting myself to some extent helped a lot with my general outlook on things. Working also significantly helped with the social anxiety issues I had (which were similar to yours) because although I was mostly spending my time doing my job, incidental engagements with my colleagues helped me get more used to lower stakes social engagements and practice engaging in rather mindless small talk and such (which used to cause me extreme anxiety).
It also meant that when I did later make the decision to go back to higher education, I had a much more focused approach to my academic course (leading to better results so far, mostly) and much more realistic approaches to socialising with my cohort and also better coping skills for managing my anxieties
Granted it felt like I couldn't leave education as it would be some kind of abject failure on my part (which is why I tried to stick it out for so long - although this was also compounded by some sunk cost fallacy thinking) so I understand it's difficult to consider the option. But genuinely it did really help to just get out of that educational environment for a while (where everything can feel very high pressure), and experience the life in a different way (to realise there is life outside of education - and even if you do go back to study, a lot of your life is going to be spent in that different environment in the end once you graduate anyway!).
Also practically speaking, you really run no risks in leaving earlier in your current academic career to take a break, then going back. A "false start" at another uni isn't going to be held against you if you reapply elsewhere later, and I don't think employers really care about it (in my experience it doesn't seem to have been an issue?). Plus as you're just at the start, you'll only "lose" one year of your full time funding entitlement with SFE, which will just mean your "gift year" will be used up and importantly you'll still have enough funding to fund a full time undergraduate degree if you do go back later!
So maybe that's something to explore - looking for jobs near you, see what's out there. If you find something that suits then try applying and see how it goes and if you get an offer, you can maybe think about taking some time away from education - and you'll always be able to return to education later if you want to
Reply 4
Original post
by r4janvThis is more of a vent, so I apologise for the wall of text.
I [m19] started sixth form in September 2021 as an external student, after attending a grammar school for secondary school but being rejected because my GCSEs weren't good enough ( despite not sitting the exams). I was heartbroken by this, but more gutted at the fact that I would have to leave behind 3 of my closest friends.
Although I started sixth form with hopes to make friends and move on, my mental health plummeted. I made one friend in the first week, but he found a friendship group and we never spoke again (which I have no animosity or problem with). My biggest issue was my incredibly subpar social skills, and it still is. I don't know what exactly is wrong with me, but for some reason I just can't verbally communicate properly with people (outside of my family). I can muster up one or two word sentences, but that's it. I struggled to approach people, let alone hold conversations with them. I always sat in the corner and pretty much isolated myself, and I was the only person in the year group with no friends at all. As I progressed into Year 12 and eventually Year 13, this worsened. I became incredibly avoidant and somehow scared of everyone in my year group, and as a result, stayed away from the sixth form area and isolated myself in the library. I don't know where this came from, but I felt constantly paranoid and restless when near people. Being isolated eventually stemmed into suicidal thoughts and depressive episodes, which I also suffered in silence.
My head of sixth form found out that I was struggling with suicidal thoughts because I quite stupidly searched up "How to deal with suicidal thoughts" on the school computer in a lesson, which was traced back to me. I struggled to really say what was wrong with me, just that I was lonely, tired and just struggling. As a result, all they offered me was referring me to the school counsellor. I did attend about 2-3 sessions, but they were not beneficial to me at all - instead the sessions made me feel worse.
This in turn also affected my grades. I was an A-B achieving student at the start of Year 12 and I wished to keep it this way, but I just couldn't focus on anything at all. I would bring myself to revise, but couldn't - as I would just get distracted by my thoughts - ironic because of how much time I spent in the library. My predicted grades were also very poor ( C, D and Merit) which shattered my self-confidence even more, and so I didn't apply to university, and instead planned to take a year out.
I also revised very little for the A-Level exams itself at all - at this point I was numb and tired of everything. I achieved the exact same results as my predicted grades, but at the time I didn't care and was just glad I didn't fail anything.
After taking a year out (and doing work experience, but nothing else), I applied to university, and that brings us to now. I applied to a local university because my grades weren't really good enough to move away anywhere unless I took a foundation year - which I am not keen on (I go to BCU, if this is relevant) . I regret not moving away, now, but I can't really drop out. I made a post on transferring also, and I am beginning to email the faculty/student support, aiming to get a transfer for the next academic year.
I don't know why I am the way I am, nor do I even know what is wrong with me. I have suspected Avoidant Personality Disorder simultanously with major Social Anxiety, but I haven't recieved a diagnosis, so I can't comment for sure. My social skills are still very poor, and I understand that exposure therapy works best, but I am just too anxious to try it, and even when I do, I feel worse after socialising. I am still lonely at university, but I don't really care anymore.
I recognise that I do need help, but I just don't know where to start. I'd really like a diagnosis at least, but my parents unfortunately don't believe in mental illness and have enough problems of their own. I don't even know my own GP nor how to contact them.
I just feels incredibly isolating and dejecting to feel that nobody out there went what I went through, or know what I went through. I never had my feelings validated either, even by the school counsellor. I try to move on, but it just feels that all the isolation and non-existent self confidence has somehow scarred me permanently. I just don't know how it's going to get better for me socially or mentally - if I struggled in forced proximity, how will I cope as an adult? How will I cope for the rest of university? I do try to put behind everything that happened to me, but I always spiral and suddenly I'm the 16-17 year old loser in sixth form, unable to fit in.
I would really appreciate if anyone can offer advice and support on what I could do to stop feeling like this, and to get better. I understand that it will probably be a long process, but I'm just tired of feeling like this.
[tldr- isolated and depressed in sixth form. got **** grades, and unable to move on as it has still impacted my self confidence, and still socially inept]
I [m19] started sixth form in September 2021 as an external student, after attending a grammar school for secondary school but being rejected because my GCSEs weren't good enough ( despite not sitting the exams). I was heartbroken by this, but more gutted at the fact that I would have to leave behind 3 of my closest friends.
Although I started sixth form with hopes to make friends and move on, my mental health plummeted. I made one friend in the first week, but he found a friendship group and we never spoke again (which I have no animosity or problem with). My biggest issue was my incredibly subpar social skills, and it still is. I don't know what exactly is wrong with me, but for some reason I just can't verbally communicate properly with people (outside of my family). I can muster up one or two word sentences, but that's it. I struggled to approach people, let alone hold conversations with them. I always sat in the corner and pretty much isolated myself, and I was the only person in the year group with no friends at all. As I progressed into Year 12 and eventually Year 13, this worsened. I became incredibly avoidant and somehow scared of everyone in my year group, and as a result, stayed away from the sixth form area and isolated myself in the library. I don't know where this came from, but I felt constantly paranoid and restless when near people. Being isolated eventually stemmed into suicidal thoughts and depressive episodes, which I also suffered in silence.
My head of sixth form found out that I was struggling with suicidal thoughts because I quite stupidly searched up "How to deal with suicidal thoughts" on the school computer in a lesson, which was traced back to me. I struggled to really say what was wrong with me, just that I was lonely, tired and just struggling. As a result, all they offered me was referring me to the school counsellor. I did attend about 2-3 sessions, but they were not beneficial to me at all - instead the sessions made me feel worse.
This in turn also affected my grades. I was an A-B achieving student at the start of Year 12 and I wished to keep it this way, but I just couldn't focus on anything at all. I would bring myself to revise, but couldn't - as I would just get distracted by my thoughts - ironic because of how much time I spent in the library. My predicted grades were also very poor ( C, D and Merit) which shattered my self-confidence even more, and so I didn't apply to university, and instead planned to take a year out.
I also revised very little for the A-Level exams itself at all - at this point I was numb and tired of everything. I achieved the exact same results as my predicted grades, but at the time I didn't care and was just glad I didn't fail anything.
After taking a year out (and doing work experience, but nothing else), I applied to university, and that brings us to now. I applied to a local university because my grades weren't really good enough to move away anywhere unless I took a foundation year - which I am not keen on (I go to BCU, if this is relevant) . I regret not moving away, now, but I can't really drop out. I made a post on transferring also, and I am beginning to email the faculty/student support, aiming to get a transfer for the next academic year.
I don't know why I am the way I am, nor do I even know what is wrong with me. I have suspected Avoidant Personality Disorder simultanously with major Social Anxiety, but I haven't recieved a diagnosis, so I can't comment for sure. My social skills are still very poor, and I understand that exposure therapy works best, but I am just too anxious to try it, and even when I do, I feel worse after socialising. I am still lonely at university, but I don't really care anymore.
I recognise that I do need help, but I just don't know where to start. I'd really like a diagnosis at least, but my parents unfortunately don't believe in mental illness and have enough problems of their own. I don't even know my own GP nor how to contact them.
I just feels incredibly isolating and dejecting to feel that nobody out there went what I went through, or know what I went through. I never had my feelings validated either, even by the school counsellor. I try to move on, but it just feels that all the isolation and non-existent self confidence has somehow scarred me permanently. I just don't know how it's going to get better for me socially or mentally - if I struggled in forced proximity, how will I cope as an adult? How will I cope for the rest of university? I do try to put behind everything that happened to me, but I always spiral and suddenly I'm the 16-17 year old loser in sixth form, unable to fit in.
I would really appreciate if anyone can offer advice and support on what I could do to stop feeling like this, and to get better. I understand that it will probably be a long process, but I'm just tired of feeling like this.
[tldr- isolated and depressed in sixth form. got **** grades, and unable to move on as it has still impacted my self confidence, and still socially inept]
Phone or go to your local health clinic.
There is a lot of support out there such as:
-The Samaritans, you can call 116 123, which is available 24 hours a day
-Mind, 0300 123 3393
-Saneline, 0300 304 7000, from 4.30pm-10.30pm
-The mix, 0800 808 4994, 11am-11pm
-SHOUT, text 852258, 24 hour text service
-Crises, 741741, text service
-Papyrus, 0800 068 4141, if you have thoughts of suicide or in emotional distress
-Rethink mental health, 0300 5000 927
-No Panic, 0800 138 8889
-Relate, they have a chat advisor
-NHS mental health, 111
-Kooth, www.kooth.com, a chat, message website
-7cups, www.7cups.com, 24/7 online chat
-Support line, 01708 765200, email: [email protected]
-Anxiety UK, 03444 775 774, 9:30am to 17:30pm Mon to Friday, a text service 07537 416905
-Young minds, www.youngminds.org.uk
-Calm, calm.com
-Mental Health 24/7: 0800 008 6516
-hubofhope website, useful contact information for your local area
You can self refer yourself to talking therapies on the NHS website.
Young minds website has a variety of information for mental health, from anxiety, depression, panic attacks, stress to loneliness etc.
There is the mind forum
Also Facebook groups
You can join support groups
You can contact a crises team if things get very bad
Plenty of
resources online, infor mation regarding well being.
Reply 5
r4janv
OP
2
Original post
by artful_loungerHonestly I had a not dissimilar experience, albeit my "withdrawal" really came to a head at university rather in 6th form. I had tried sticking it out for some time in my course but in the end that really kind of made things worse.
What ultimately helped was taking a break from full time education, and going into work, while also getting support from my GP (diagnoses, trialling different treatment options to find one that worked for me). Having family support was helpful in that time too (although I wasn't always exactly grateful for it at the time I am glad my family did support me then) and spending a few years working and having some level of independence and supporting myself to some extent helped a lot with my general outlook on things. Working also significantly helped with the social anxiety issues I had (which were similar to yours) because although I was mostly spending my time doing my job, incidental engagements with my colleagues helped me get more used to lower stakes social engagements and practice engaging in rather mindless small talk and such (which used to cause me extreme anxiety).
It also meant that when I did later make the decision to go back to higher education, I had a much more focused approach to my academic course (leading to better results so far, mostly) and much more realistic approaches to socialising with my cohort and also better coping skills for managing my anxieties
Granted it felt like I couldn't leave education as it would be some kind of abject failure on my part (which is why I tried to stick it out for so long - although this was also compounded by some sunk cost fallacy thinking) so I understand it's difficult to consider the option. But genuinely it did really help to just get out of that educational environment for a while (where everything can feel very high pressure), and experience the life in a different way (to realise there is life outside of education - and even if you do go back to study, a lot of your life is going to be spent in that different environment in the end once you graduate anyway!).
Also practically speaking, you really run no risks in leaving earlier in your current academic career to take a break, then going back. A "false start" at another uni isn't going to be held against you if you reapply elsewhere later, and I don't think employers really care about it (in my experience it doesn't seem to have been an issue?). Plus as you're just at the start, you'll only "lose" one year of your full time funding entitlement with SFE, which will just mean your "gift year" will be used up and importantly you'll still have enough funding to fund a full time undergraduate degree if you do go back later!
So maybe that's something to explore - looking for jobs near you, see what's out there. If you find something that suits then try applying and see how it goes and if you get an offer, you can maybe think about taking some time away from education - and you'll always be able to return to education later if you want to
What ultimately helped was taking a break from full time education, and going into work, while also getting support from my GP (diagnoses, trialling different treatment options to find one that worked for me). Having family support was helpful in that time too (although I wasn't always exactly grateful for it at the time I am glad my family did support me then) and spending a few years working and having some level of independence and supporting myself to some extent helped a lot with my general outlook on things. Working also significantly helped with the social anxiety issues I had (which were similar to yours) because although I was mostly spending my time doing my job, incidental engagements with my colleagues helped me get more used to lower stakes social engagements and practice engaging in rather mindless small talk and such (which used to cause me extreme anxiety).
It also meant that when I did later make the decision to go back to higher education, I had a much more focused approach to my academic course (leading to better results so far, mostly) and much more realistic approaches to socialising with my cohort and also better coping skills for managing my anxieties
Granted it felt like I couldn't leave education as it would be some kind of abject failure on my part (which is why I tried to stick it out for so long - although this was also compounded by some sunk cost fallacy thinking) so I understand it's difficult to consider the option. But genuinely it did really help to just get out of that educational environment for a while (where everything can feel very high pressure), and experience the life in a different way (to realise there is life outside of education - and even if you do go back to study, a lot of your life is going to be spent in that different environment in the end once you graduate anyway!).
Also practically speaking, you really run no risks in leaving earlier in your current academic career to take a break, then going back. A "false start" at another uni isn't going to be held against you if you reapply elsewhere later, and I don't think employers really care about it (in my experience it doesn't seem to have been an issue?). Plus as you're just at the start, you'll only "lose" one year of your full time funding entitlement with SFE, which will just mean your "gift year" will be used up and importantly you'll still have enough funding to fund a full time undergraduate degree if you do go back later!
So maybe that's something to explore - looking for jobs near you, see what's out there. If you find something that suits then try applying and see how it goes and if you get an offer, you can maybe think about taking some time away from education - and you'll always be able to return to education later if you want to
Hey, thanks for your reply.
I don't really have much energy today to craft a long reply like I did for another comment, but thanks for your advice.
I am also glad to hear you got over social anxiety - in fact your story really inspires me that I too can get better.
Honestly, in terms of taking an academic break - I did take a year out after I finished my A-Levels - but I didn't do or achieve anything except for a work experience placement (that lasted from October 2023 - March 2024). I applied for a few jobs but didn't hear anything back. I don't think that taking another year out is really the right solution for me as it was for you - my parents don't really understand mental illness as I've mentioned, and I'm confident that they will not let me take another year out.
I however am beginning to email around , and I am considering finding and contacting my GP ( even though I'm not great at phone calls). My biggest issue is trying to do all this without my parents finding out, but I'll worry about it when it comes around.
Thanks again.
Reply 6
r4janv
OP
2
Original post
by Analyst89Phone or go to your local health clinic.
There is a lot of support out there such as:
-The Samaritans, you can call 116 123, which is available 24 hours a day
-Mind, 0300 123 3393
-Saneline, 0300 304 7000, from 4.30pm-10.30pm
-The mix, 0800 808 4994, 11am-11pm
-SHOUT, text 852258, 24 hour text service
-Crises, 741741, text service
-Papyrus, 0800 068 4141, if you have thoughts of suicide or in emotional distress
-Rethink mental health, 0300 5000 927
-No Panic, 0800 138 8889
-Relate, they have a chat advisor
-NHS mental health, 111
-Kooth, www.kooth.com, a chat, message website
-7cups, www.7cups.com, 24/7 online chat
-Support line, 01708 765200, email: [email protected]
-Anxiety UK, 03444 775 774, 9:30am to 17:30pm Mon to Friday, a text service 07537 416905
-Young minds, www.youngminds.org.uk
-Calm, calm.com
-Mental Health 24/7: 0800 008 6516
-hubofhope website, useful contact information for your local area
You can self refer yourself to talking therapies on the NHS website.
Young minds website has a variety of information for mental health, from anxiety, depression, panic attacks, stress to loneliness etc.
There is the mind forum
Also Facebook groups
You can join support groups
You can contact a crises team if things get very bad
Plenty of
resources online, infor mation regarding well being.
There is a lot of support out there such as:
-The Samaritans, you can call 116 123, which is available 24 hours a day
-Mind, 0300 123 3393
-Saneline, 0300 304 7000, from 4.30pm-10.30pm
-The mix, 0800 808 4994, 11am-11pm
-SHOUT, text 852258, 24 hour text service
-Crises, 741741, text service
-Papyrus, 0800 068 4141, if you have thoughts of suicide or in emotional distress
-Rethink mental health, 0300 5000 927
-No Panic, 0800 138 8889
-Relate, they have a chat advisor
-NHS mental health, 111
-Kooth, www.kooth.com, a chat, message website
-7cups, www.7cups.com, 24/7 online chat
-Support line, 01708 765200, email: [email protected]
-Anxiety UK, 03444 775 774, 9:30am to 17:30pm Mon to Friday, a text service 07537 416905
-Young minds, www.youngminds.org.uk
-Calm, calm.com
-Mental Health 24/7: 0800 008 6516
-hubofhope website, useful contact information for your local area
You can self refer yourself to talking therapies on the NHS website.
Young minds website has a variety of information for mental health, from anxiety, depression, panic attacks, stress to loneliness etc.
There is the mind forum
Also Facebook groups
You can join support groups
You can contact a crises team if things get very bad
Plenty of
resources online, infor mation regarding well being.
Will definitely check out some of these websites and links , thank you!
Original post
by r4janvHey, thanks for your reply.
I don't really have much energy today to craft a long reply like I did for another comment, but thanks for your advice.
I am also glad to hear you got over social anxiety - in fact your story really inspires me that I too can get better.
Honestly, in terms of taking an academic break - I did take a year out after I finished my A-Levels - but I didn't do or achieve anything except for a work experience placement (that lasted from October 2023 - March 2024). I applied for a few jobs but didn't hear anything back. I don't think that taking another year out is really the right solution for me as it was for you - my parents don't really understand mental illness as I've mentioned, and I'm confident that they will not let me take another year out.
I however am beginning to email around , and I am considering finding and contacting my GP ( even though I'm not great at phone calls). My biggest issue is trying to do all this without my parents finding out, but I'll worry about it when it comes around.
Thanks again.
I don't really have much energy today to craft a long reply like I did for another comment, but thanks for your advice.
I am also glad to hear you got over social anxiety - in fact your story really inspires me that I too can get better.
Honestly, in terms of taking an academic break - I did take a year out after I finished my A-Levels - but I didn't do or achieve anything except for a work experience placement (that lasted from October 2023 - March 2024). I applied for a few jobs but didn't hear anything back. I don't think that taking another year out is really the right solution for me as it was for you - my parents don't really understand mental illness as I've mentioned, and I'm confident that they will not let me take another year out.
I however am beginning to email around , and I am considering finding and contacting my GP ( even though I'm not great at phone calls). My biggest issue is trying to do all this without my parents finding out, but I'll worry about it when it comes around.
Thanks again.
I would say in my case - I did try "shorter" academic breaks (interrupted my studies twice for a year at separate times) but it was really the longer period away that allowed me to really completely reset (I was out of education for about 3 years or so before I started doing a part-time module with the OU to ease back into things).
That said I wouldn't say I was completely "over" my social anxiety, more that the more extreme effects have been blunted, it occurs less frequently, and when it DOES start to affect me I am better able to recognise that and take actions to try and avoid worse outcomes from it
Which overall makes the effects much better managed for me!I think if you don't have good support from your family though that does make it a lot harder
definitely reach out to the GP and see what you can do with them - that was the first step I really took in addressing anything and possibly the most important one!Reply 8
Original post
by r4janvThis is more of a vent, so I apologise for the wall of text.
I [m19] started sixth form in September 2021 as an external student, after attending a grammar school for secondary school but being rejected because my GCSEs weren't good enough ( despite not sitting the exams). I was heartbroken by this, but more gutted at the fact that I would have to leave behind 3 of my closest friends.
Although I started sixth form with hopes to make friends and move on, my mental health plummeted. I made one friend in the first week, but he found a friendship group and we never spoke again (which I have no animosity or problem with). My biggest issue was my incredibly subpar social skills, and it still is. I don't know what exactly is wrong with me, but for some reason I just can't verbally communicate properly with people (outside of my family). I can muster up one or two word sentences, but that's it. I struggled to approach people, let alone hold conversations with them. I always sat in the corner and pretty much isolated myself, and I was the only person in the year group with no friends at all. As I progressed into Year 12 and eventually Year 13, this worsened. I became incredibly avoidant and somehow scared of everyone in my year group, and as a result, stayed away from the sixth form area and isolated myself in the library. I don't know where this came from, but I felt constantly paranoid and restless when near people. Being isolated eventually stemmed into suicidal thoughts and depressive episodes, which I also suffered in silence.
My head of sixth form found out that I was struggling with suicidal thoughts because I quite stupidly searched up "How to deal with suicidal thoughts" on the school computer in a lesson, which was traced back to me. I struggled to really say what was wrong with me, just that I was lonely, tired and just struggling. As a result, all they offered me was referring me to the school counsellor. I did attend about 2-3 sessions, but they were not beneficial to me at all - instead the sessions made me feel worse.
This in turn also affected my grades. I was an A-B achieving student at the start of Year 12 and I wished to keep it this way, but I just couldn't focus on anything at all. I would bring myself to revise, but couldn't - as I would just get distracted by my thoughts - ironic because of how much time I spent in the library. My predicted grades were also very poor ( C, D and Merit) which shattered my self-confidence even more, and so I didn't apply to university, and instead planned to take a year out.
I also revised very little for the A-Level exams itself at all - at this point I was numb and tired of everything. I achieved the exact same results as my predicted grades, but at the time I didn't care and was just glad I didn't fail anything.
After taking a year out (and doing work experience, but nothing else), I applied to university, and that brings us to now. I applied to a local university because my grades weren't really good enough to move away anywhere unless I took a foundation year - which I am not keen on (I go to BCU, if this is relevant) . I regret not moving away, now, but I can't really drop out. I made a post on transferring also, and I am beginning to email the faculty/student support, aiming to get a transfer for the next academic year.
I don't know why I am the way I am, nor do I even know what is wrong with me. I have suspected Avoidant Personality Disorder simultanously with major Social Anxiety, but I haven't recieved a diagnosis, so I can't comment for sure. My social skills are still very poor, and I understand that exposure therapy works best, but I am just too anxious to try it, and even when I do, I feel worse after socialising. I am still lonely at university, but I don't really care anymore.
I recognise that I do need help, but I just don't know where to start. I'd really like a diagnosis at least, but my parents unfortunately don't believe in mental illness and have enough problems of their own. I don't even know my own GP nor how to contact them.
I just feels incredibly isolating and dejecting to feel that nobody out there went what I went through, or know what I went through. I never had my feelings validated either, even by the school counsellor. I try to move on, but it just feels that all the isolation and non-existent self confidence has somehow scarred me permanently. I just don't know how it's going to get better for me socially or mentally - if I struggled in forced proximity, how will I cope as an adult? How will I cope for the rest of university? I do try to put behind everything that happened to me, but I always spiral and suddenly I'm the 16-17 year old loser in sixth form, unable to fit in.
I would really appreciate if anyone can offer advice and support on what I could do to stop feeling like this, and to get better. I understand that it will probably be a long process, but I'm just tired of feeling like this.
[tldr- isolated and depressed in sixth form. got **** grades, and unable to move on as it has still impacted my self confidence, and still socially inept]
I [m19] started sixth form in September 2021 as an external student, after attending a grammar school for secondary school but being rejected because my GCSEs weren't good enough ( despite not sitting the exams). I was heartbroken by this, but more gutted at the fact that I would have to leave behind 3 of my closest friends.
Although I started sixth form with hopes to make friends and move on, my mental health plummeted. I made one friend in the first week, but he found a friendship group and we never spoke again (which I have no animosity or problem with). My biggest issue was my incredibly subpar social skills, and it still is. I don't know what exactly is wrong with me, but for some reason I just can't verbally communicate properly with people (outside of my family). I can muster up one or two word sentences, but that's it. I struggled to approach people, let alone hold conversations with them. I always sat in the corner and pretty much isolated myself, and I was the only person in the year group with no friends at all. As I progressed into Year 12 and eventually Year 13, this worsened. I became incredibly avoidant and somehow scared of everyone in my year group, and as a result, stayed away from the sixth form area and isolated myself in the library. I don't know where this came from, but I felt constantly paranoid and restless when near people. Being isolated eventually stemmed into suicidal thoughts and depressive episodes, which I also suffered in silence.
My head of sixth form found out that I was struggling with suicidal thoughts because I quite stupidly searched up "How to deal with suicidal thoughts" on the school computer in a lesson, which was traced back to me. I struggled to really say what was wrong with me, just that I was lonely, tired and just struggling. As a result, all they offered me was referring me to the school counsellor. I did attend about 2-3 sessions, but they were not beneficial to me at all - instead the sessions made me feel worse.
This in turn also affected my grades. I was an A-B achieving student at the start of Year 12 and I wished to keep it this way, but I just couldn't focus on anything at all. I would bring myself to revise, but couldn't - as I would just get distracted by my thoughts - ironic because of how much time I spent in the library. My predicted grades were also very poor ( C, D and Merit) which shattered my self-confidence even more, and so I didn't apply to university, and instead planned to take a year out.
I also revised very little for the A-Level exams itself at all - at this point I was numb and tired of everything. I achieved the exact same results as my predicted grades, but at the time I didn't care and was just glad I didn't fail anything.
After taking a year out (and doing work experience, but nothing else), I applied to university, and that brings us to now. I applied to a local university because my grades weren't really good enough to move away anywhere unless I took a foundation year - which I am not keen on (I go to BCU, if this is relevant) . I regret not moving away, now, but I can't really drop out. I made a post on transferring also, and I am beginning to email the faculty/student support, aiming to get a transfer for the next academic year.
I don't know why I am the way I am, nor do I even know what is wrong with me. I have suspected Avoidant Personality Disorder simultanously with major Social Anxiety, but I haven't recieved a diagnosis, so I can't comment for sure. My social skills are still very poor, and I understand that exposure therapy works best, but I am just too anxious to try it, and even when I do, I feel worse after socialising. I am still lonely at university, but I don't really care anymore.
I recognise that I do need help, but I just don't know where to start. I'd really like a diagnosis at least, but my parents unfortunately don't believe in mental illness and have enough problems of their own. I don't even know my own GP nor how to contact them.
I just feels incredibly isolating and dejecting to feel that nobody out there went what I went through, or know what I went through. I never had my feelings validated either, even by the school counsellor. I try to move on, but it just feels that all the isolation and non-existent self confidence has somehow scarred me permanently. I just don't know how it's going to get better for me socially or mentally - if I struggled in forced proximity, how will I cope as an adult? How will I cope for the rest of university? I do try to put behind everything that happened to me, but I always spiral and suddenly I'm the 16-17 year old loser in sixth form, unable to fit in.
I would really appreciate if anyone can offer advice and support on what I could do to stop feeling like this, and to get better. I understand that it will probably be a long process, but I'm just tired of feeling like this.
[tldr- isolated and depressed in sixth form. got **** grades, and unable to move on as it has still impacted my self confidence, and still socially inept]
god this is making me cry I wish you nothing but the best I hope you succeed in life and find the happiness thats missing right now
Reply 9
r4janv
OP
2
Original post
by hudzino123god this is making me cry I wish you nothing but the best I hope you succeed in life and find the happiness thats missing right now
I appreciate it ❤️ (sorry to have made you cry though)
Reply 10
Original post
by r4janvThis is more of a vent, so I apologise for the wall of text.
I [m19] started sixth form in September 2021 as an external student, after attending a grammar school for secondary school but being rejected because my GCSEs weren't good enough ( despite not sitting the exams). I was heartbroken by this, but more gutted at the fact that I would have to leave behind 3 of my closest friends.
Although I started sixth form with hopes to make friends and move on, my mental health plummeted. I made one friend in the first week, but he found a friendship group and we never spoke again (which I have no animosity or problem with). My biggest issue was my incredibly subpar social skills, and it still is. I don't know what exactly is wrong with me, but for some reason I just can't verbally communicate properly with people (outside of my family). I can muster up one or two word sentences, but that's it. I struggled to approach people, let alone hold conversations with them. I always sat in the corner and pretty much isolated myself, and I was the only person in the year group with no friends at all. As I progressed into Year 12 and eventually Year 13, this worsened. I became incredibly avoidant and somehow scared of everyone in my year group, and as a result, stayed away from the sixth form area and isolated myself in the library. I don't know where this came from, but I felt constantly paranoid and restless when near people. Being isolated eventually stemmed into suicidal thoughts and depressive episodes, which I also suffered in silence.
My head of sixth form found out that I was struggling with suicidal thoughts because I quite stupidly searched up "How to deal with suicidal thoughts" on the school computer in a lesson, which was traced back to me. I struggled to really say what was wrong with me, just that I was lonely, tired and just struggling. As a result, all they offered me was referring me to the school counsellor. I did attend about 2-3 sessions, but they were not beneficial to me at all - instead the sessions made me feel worse.
This in turn also affected my grades. I was an A-B achieving student at the start of Year 12 and I wished to keep it this way, but I just couldn't focus on anything at all. I would bring myself to revise, but couldn't - as I would just get distracted by my thoughts - ironic because of how much time I spent in the library. My predicted grades were also very poor ( C, D and Merit) which shattered my self-confidence even more, and so I didn't apply to university, and instead planned to take a year out.
I also revised very little for the A-Level exams itself at all - at this point I was numb and tired of everything. I achieved the exact same results as my predicted grades, but at the time I didn't care and was just glad I didn't fail anything.
After taking a year out (and doing work experience, but nothing else), I applied to university, and that brings us to now. I applied to a local university because my grades weren't really good enough to move away anywhere unless I took a foundation year - which I am not keen on (I go to BCU, if this is relevant) . I regret not moving away, now, but I can't really drop out. I made a post on transferring also, and I am beginning to email the faculty/student support, aiming to get a transfer for the next academic year.
I don't know why I am the way I am, nor do I even know what is wrong with me. I have suspected Avoidant Personality Disorder simultanously with major Social Anxiety, but I haven't recieved a diagnosis, so I can't comment for sure. My social skills are still very poor, and I understand that exposure therapy works best, but I am just too anxious to try it, and even when I do, I feel worse after socialising. I am still lonely at university, but I don't really care anymore.
I recognise that I do need help, but I just don't know where to start. I'd really like a diagnosis at least, but my parents unfortunately don't believe in mental illness and have enough problems of their own. I don't even know my own GP nor how to contact them.
I just feels incredibly isolating and dejecting to feel that nobody out there went what I went through, or know what I went through. I never had my feelings validated either, even by the school counsellor. I try to move on, but it just feels that all the isolation and non-existent self confidence has somehow scarred me permanently. I just don't know how it's going to get better for me socially or mentally - if I struggled in forced proximity, how will I cope as an adult? How will I cope for the rest of university? I do try to put behind everything that happened to me, but I always spiral and suddenly I'm the 16-17 year old loser in sixth form, unable to fit in.
I would really appreciate if anyone can offer advice and support on what I could do to stop feeling like this, and to get better. I understand that it will probably be a long process, but I'm just tired of feeling like this.
[tldr- isolated and depressed in sixth form. got **** grades, and unable to move on as it has still impacted my self confidence, and still socially inept]
I [m19] started sixth form in September 2021 as an external student, after attending a grammar school for secondary school but being rejected because my GCSEs weren't good enough ( despite not sitting the exams). I was heartbroken by this, but more gutted at the fact that I would have to leave behind 3 of my closest friends.
Although I started sixth form with hopes to make friends and move on, my mental health plummeted. I made one friend in the first week, but he found a friendship group and we never spoke again (which I have no animosity or problem with). My biggest issue was my incredibly subpar social skills, and it still is. I don't know what exactly is wrong with me, but for some reason I just can't verbally communicate properly with people (outside of my family). I can muster up one or two word sentences, but that's it. I struggled to approach people, let alone hold conversations with them. I always sat in the corner and pretty much isolated myself, and I was the only person in the year group with no friends at all. As I progressed into Year 12 and eventually Year 13, this worsened. I became incredibly avoidant and somehow scared of everyone in my year group, and as a result, stayed away from the sixth form area and isolated myself in the library. I don't know where this came from, but I felt constantly paranoid and restless when near people. Being isolated eventually stemmed into suicidal thoughts and depressive episodes, which I also suffered in silence.
My head of sixth form found out that I was struggling with suicidal thoughts because I quite stupidly searched up "How to deal with suicidal thoughts" on the school computer in a lesson, which was traced back to me. I struggled to really say what was wrong with me, just that I was lonely, tired and just struggling. As a result, all they offered me was referring me to the school counsellor. I did attend about 2-3 sessions, but they were not beneficial to me at all - instead the sessions made me feel worse.
This in turn also affected my grades. I was an A-B achieving student at the start of Year 12 and I wished to keep it this way, but I just couldn't focus on anything at all. I would bring myself to revise, but couldn't - as I would just get distracted by my thoughts - ironic because of how much time I spent in the library. My predicted grades were also very poor ( C, D and Merit) which shattered my self-confidence even more, and so I didn't apply to university, and instead planned to take a year out.
I also revised very little for the A-Level exams itself at all - at this point I was numb and tired of everything. I achieved the exact same results as my predicted grades, but at the time I didn't care and was just glad I didn't fail anything.
After taking a year out (and doing work experience, but nothing else), I applied to university, and that brings us to now. I applied to a local university because my grades weren't really good enough to move away anywhere unless I took a foundation year - which I am not keen on (I go to BCU, if this is relevant) . I regret not moving away, now, but I can't really drop out. I made a post on transferring also, and I am beginning to email the faculty/student support, aiming to get a transfer for the next academic year.
I don't know why I am the way I am, nor do I even know what is wrong with me. I have suspected Avoidant Personality Disorder simultanously with major Social Anxiety, but I haven't recieved a diagnosis, so I can't comment for sure. My social skills are still very poor, and I understand that exposure therapy works best, but I am just too anxious to try it, and even when I do, I feel worse after socialising. I am still lonely at university, but I don't really care anymore.
I recognise that I do need help, but I just don't know where to start. I'd really like a diagnosis at least, but my parents unfortunately don't believe in mental illness and have enough problems of their own. I don't even know my own GP nor how to contact them.
I just feels incredibly isolating and dejecting to feel that nobody out there went what I went through, or know what I went through. I never had my feelings validated either, even by the school counsellor. I try to move on, but it just feels that all the isolation and non-existent self confidence has somehow scarred me permanently. I just don't know how it's going to get better for me socially or mentally - if I struggled in forced proximity, how will I cope as an adult? How will I cope for the rest of university? I do try to put behind everything that happened to me, but I always spiral and suddenly I'm the 16-17 year old loser in sixth form, unable to fit in.
I would really appreciate if anyone can offer advice and support on what I could do to stop feeling like this, and to get better. I understand that it will probably be a long process, but I'm just tired of feeling like this.
[tldr- isolated and depressed in sixth form. got **** grades, and unable to move on as it has still impacted my self confidence, and still socially inept]
I feel somewhat similar to you in all honesty. I’ve never really had many friends throughout school at least none that stuck around as I always was moving around cause of my mum’s own bad decisions and by the time I had reached Year 12 and went to a sixth form I didn’t wanna go to as we moved and my grades weren’t good enough to go to something decent and it kinda got worse from there. I was like you getting A’s and B’s and was even predicted and ABB but completely mucked up my A Levels somehow idk if it’s cause they couldn’t read my handwriting as my sixth form told me they were gonna sort me out a laptop and didn’t or something else. So I had the dilemma of crappy A Levels with a CCD and ended up Leicester as I needed to escape my toxic mum. I’ve got a lot of the same issues as with you anxiety issues and I have depression too and other problems and am lonely at uni too with my one friend not really liking to hang out with me unless I’m telling him what to do for his assignment. I think it’s best you transfer like I plan to do and also get some help like I plan to do, I wouldn’t personally bother with the NHS as I have been waiting weeks and by the time I was diagnosed and was told what the therapy options were I was very disappointed. So maybe it’s best you look for like a private counsellor instead and just try and keep yourself hopeful by thinking about where you plan to go next as I tried the spiritual thing like someone mentioned and it didn’t work for me. So I’d just say to just focus on the transfer in the sense that it’ll take your mind off the loneliness at least for a little bit and maybe try doing some solo hobbies you enjoy too to take your mind off it. Sorry if this is not helpful just felt I could relate to this personally
Reply 11
r4janv
OP
2
Original post
by Camdog06I feel somewhat similar to you in all honesty. I’ve never really had many friends throughout school at least none that stuck around as I always was moving around cause of my mum’s own bad decisions and by the time I had reached Year 12 and went to a sixth form I didn’t wanna go to as we moved and my grades weren’t good enough to go to something decent and it kinda got worse from there. I was like you getting A’s and B’s and was even predicted and ABB but completely mucked up my A Levels somehow idk if it’s cause they couldn’t read my handwriting as my sixth form told me they were gonna sort me out a laptop and didn’t or something else. So I had the dilemma of crappy A Levels with a CCD and ended up Leicester as I needed to escape my toxic mum. I’ve got a lot of the same issues as with you anxiety issues and I have depression too and other problems and am lonely at uni too with my one friend not really liking to hang out with me unless I’m telling him what to do for his assignment. I think it’s best you transfer like I plan to do and also get some help like I plan to do, I wouldn’t personally bother with the NHS as I have been waiting weeks and by the time I was diagnosed and was told what the therapy options were I was very disappointed. So maybe it’s best you look for like a private counsellor instead and just try and keep yourself hopeful by thinking about where you plan to go next as I tried the spiritual thing like someone mentioned and it didn’t work for me. So I’d just say to just focus on the transfer in the sense that it’ll take your mind off the loneliness at least for a little bit and maybe try doing some solo hobbies you enjoy too to take your mind off it. Sorry if this is not helpful just felt I could relate to this personally
Hey, thanks for your response!
I'm really sorry to hear about you struggling with making friends in school and sixth form - we share that in common unfortunately. However, ABB predicted grades were amazing, don't beat yourself up over it. Not to mention, you are in a very respected and leading university, your actual A-Level grades mean little now, so don't fret over it.
Thanks for suggesting that I transfer, I am 100% set on it , and as mentioned I am limited by my A-Level grades but I just need to get out of here honestly. It won't really make everything automatically better for me, I know, but at least I have my own space and can get help freely.
Also thanks for not suggesting the NHS, unfortunately I've heard of this myself but they seem to be very stretched, and mental health resources in this country are quite limited. I hate to be pessimistic but its not really great to be struggling with a mental illness in the UK right now - but hopefully things will improve. At the same time, I probably won't go private due to the costs ( I don't have a job nor much savings) , but hopefully the university at least will provide some sort of counselling.
Anyway, thanks for your comment I really do appreciate it. I hope you can find your people as well. 🙂
Reply 12
Original post
by r4janvHey, thanks for your response!
I'm really sorry to hear about you struggling with making friends in school and sixth form - we share that in common unfortunately. However, ABB predicted grades were amazing, don't beat yourself up over it. Not to mention, you are in a very respected and leading university, your actual A-Level grades mean little now, so don't fret over it.
Thanks for suggesting that I transfer, I am 100% set on it , and as mentioned I am limited by my A-Level grades but I just need to get out of here honestly. It won't really make everything automatically better for me, I know, but at least I have my own space and can get help freely.
Also thanks for not suggesting the NHS, unfortunately I've heard of this myself but they seem to be very stretched, and mental health resources in this country are quite limited. I hate to be pessimistic but its not really great to be struggling with a mental illness in the UK right now - but hopefully things will improve. At the same time, I probably won't go private due to the costs ( I don't have a job nor much savings) , but hopefully the university at least will provide some sort of counselling.
Anyway, thanks for your comment I really do appreciate it. I hope you can find your people as well. 🙂
I'm really sorry to hear about you struggling with making friends in school and sixth form - we share that in common unfortunately. However, ABB predicted grades were amazing, don't beat yourself up over it. Not to mention, you are in a very respected and leading university, your actual A-Level grades mean little now, so don't fret over it.
Thanks for suggesting that I transfer, I am 100% set on it , and as mentioned I am limited by my A-Level grades but I just need to get out of here honestly. It won't really make everything automatically better for me, I know, but at least I have my own space and can get help freely.
Also thanks for not suggesting the NHS, unfortunately I've heard of this myself but they seem to be very stretched, and mental health resources in this country are quite limited. I hate to be pessimistic but its not really great to be struggling with a mental illness in the UK right now - but hopefully things will improve. At the same time, I probably won't go private due to the costs ( I don't have a job nor much savings) , but hopefully the university at least will provide some sort of counselling.
Anyway, thanks for your comment I really do appreciate it. I hope you can find your people as well. 🙂
Hey thanks for your kind words and you’re right about the A Levels and Leicester is a good Uni but it’s just not my Uni in all honesty, my feeling about Leicester is somewhat similar to yours and BCU’s which is why I am transferring at the end of this year though I am also limited in my A Levels. I’d just advise when you transfer to try and make best with the new Uni you opt for (where was you thinking of going by the way?) Also unis do usually have some counselling services I can’t say how good they are as i’ve never used them but i’d say it’s your best option as I also can’t afford private and like I said NHS therapy is awful, they’ll sign you up for a useless webinar that’s unrelated to your actual issue so I think uni counselling is your best bet
Reply 13
Original post
by r4janvThis is more of a vent, so I apologise for the wall of text.
I [m19] started sixth form in September 2021 as an external student, after attending a grammar school for secondary school but being rejected because my GCSEs weren't good enough ( despite not sitting the exams). I was heartbroken by this, but more gutted at the fact that I would have to leave behind 3 of my closest friends.
Although I started sixth form with hopes to make friends and move on, my mental health plummeted. I made one friend in the first week, but he found a friendship group and we never spoke again (which I have no animosity or problem with). My biggest issue was my incredibly subpar social skills, and it still is. I don't know what exactly is wrong with me, but for some reason I just can't verbally communicate properly with people (outside of my family). I can muster up one or two word sentences, but that's it. I struggled to approach people, let alone hold conversations with them. I always sat in the corner and pretty much isolated myself, and I was the only person in the year group with no friends at all. As I progressed into Year 12 and eventually Year 13, this worsened. I became incredibly avoidant and somehow scared of everyone in my year group, and as a result, stayed away from the sixth form area and isolated myself in the library. I don't know where this came from, but I felt constantly paranoid and restless when near people. Being isolated eventually stemmed into suicidal thoughts and depressive episodes, which I also suffered in silence.
My head of sixth form found out that I was struggling with suicidal thoughts because I quite stupidly searched up "How to deal with suicidal thoughts" on the school computer in a lesson, which was traced back to me. I struggled to really say what was wrong with me, just that I was lonely, tired and just struggling. As a result, all they offered me was referring me to the school counsellor. I did attend about 2-3 sessions, but they were not beneficial to me at all - instead the sessions made me feel worse.
This in turn also affected my grades. I was an A-B achieving student at the start of Year 12 and I wished to keep it this way, but I just couldn't focus on anything at all. I would bring myself to revise, but couldn't - as I would just get distracted by my thoughts - ironic because of how much time I spent in the library. My predicted grades were also very poor ( C, D and Merit) which shattered my self-confidence even more, and so I didn't apply to university, and instead planned to take a year out.
I also revised very little for the A-Level exams itself at all - at this point I was numb and tired of everything. I achieved the exact same results as my predicted grades, but at the time I didn't care and was just glad I didn't fail anything.
After taking a year out (and doing work experience, but nothing else), I applied to university, and that brings us to now. I applied to a local university because my grades weren't really good enough to move away anywhere unless I took a foundation year - which I am not keen on (I go to BCU, if this is relevant) . I regret not moving away, now, but I can't really drop out. I made a post on transferring also, and I am beginning to email the faculty/student support, aiming to get a transfer for the next academic year.
I don't know why I am the way I am, nor do I even know what is wrong with me. I have suspected Avoidant Personality Disorder simultanously with major Social Anxiety, but I haven't recieved a diagnosis, so I can't comment for sure. My social skills are still very poor, and I understand that exposure therapy works best, but I am just too anxious to try it, and even when I do, I feel worse after socialising. I am still lonely at university, but I don't really care anymore.
I recognise that I do need help, but I just don't know where to start. I'd really like a diagnosis at least, but my parents unfortunately don't believe in mental illness and have enough problems of their own. I don't even know my own GP nor how to contact them.
I just feels incredibly isolating and dejecting to feel that nobody out there went what I went through, or know what I went through. I never had my feelings validated either, even by the school counsellor. I try to move on, but it just feels that all the isolation and non-existent self confidence has somehow scarred me permanently. I just don't know how it's going to get better for me socially or mentally - if I struggled in forced proximity, how will I cope as an adult? How will I cope for the rest of university? I do try to put behind everything that happened to me, but I always spiral and suddenly I'm the 16-17 year old loser in sixth form, unable to fit in.
I would really appreciate if anyone can offer advice and support on what I could do to stop feeling like this, and to get better. I understand that it will probably be a long process, but I'm just tired of feeling like this.
[tldr- isolated and depressed in sixth form. got **** grades, and unable to move on as it has still impacted my self confidence, and still socially inept]
I [m19] started sixth form in September 2021 as an external student, after attending a grammar school for secondary school but being rejected because my GCSEs weren't good enough ( despite not sitting the exams). I was heartbroken by this, but more gutted at the fact that I would have to leave behind 3 of my closest friends.
Although I started sixth form with hopes to make friends and move on, my mental health plummeted. I made one friend in the first week, but he found a friendship group and we never spoke again (which I have no animosity or problem with). My biggest issue was my incredibly subpar social skills, and it still is. I don't know what exactly is wrong with me, but for some reason I just can't verbally communicate properly with people (outside of my family). I can muster up one or two word sentences, but that's it. I struggled to approach people, let alone hold conversations with them. I always sat in the corner and pretty much isolated myself, and I was the only person in the year group with no friends at all. As I progressed into Year 12 and eventually Year 13, this worsened. I became incredibly avoidant and somehow scared of everyone in my year group, and as a result, stayed away from the sixth form area and isolated myself in the library. I don't know where this came from, but I felt constantly paranoid and restless when near people. Being isolated eventually stemmed into suicidal thoughts and depressive episodes, which I also suffered in silence.
My head of sixth form found out that I was struggling with suicidal thoughts because I quite stupidly searched up "How to deal with suicidal thoughts" on the school computer in a lesson, which was traced back to me. I struggled to really say what was wrong with me, just that I was lonely, tired and just struggling. As a result, all they offered me was referring me to the school counsellor. I did attend about 2-3 sessions, but they were not beneficial to me at all - instead the sessions made me feel worse.
This in turn also affected my grades. I was an A-B achieving student at the start of Year 12 and I wished to keep it this way, but I just couldn't focus on anything at all. I would bring myself to revise, but couldn't - as I would just get distracted by my thoughts - ironic because of how much time I spent in the library. My predicted grades were also very poor ( C, D and Merit) which shattered my self-confidence even more, and so I didn't apply to university, and instead planned to take a year out.
I also revised very little for the A-Level exams itself at all - at this point I was numb and tired of everything. I achieved the exact same results as my predicted grades, but at the time I didn't care and was just glad I didn't fail anything.
After taking a year out (and doing work experience, but nothing else), I applied to university, and that brings us to now. I applied to a local university because my grades weren't really good enough to move away anywhere unless I took a foundation year - which I am not keen on (I go to BCU, if this is relevant) . I regret not moving away, now, but I can't really drop out. I made a post on transferring also, and I am beginning to email the faculty/student support, aiming to get a transfer for the next academic year.
I don't know why I am the way I am, nor do I even know what is wrong with me. I have suspected Avoidant Personality Disorder simultanously with major Social Anxiety, but I haven't recieved a diagnosis, so I can't comment for sure. My social skills are still very poor, and I understand that exposure therapy works best, but I am just too anxious to try it, and even when I do, I feel worse after socialising. I am still lonely at university, but I don't really care anymore.
I recognise that I do need help, but I just don't know where to start. I'd really like a diagnosis at least, but my parents unfortunately don't believe in mental illness and have enough problems of their own. I don't even know my own GP nor how to contact them.
I just feels incredibly isolating and dejecting to feel that nobody out there went what I went through, or know what I went through. I never had my feelings validated either, even by the school counsellor. I try to move on, but it just feels that all the isolation and non-existent self confidence has somehow scarred me permanently. I just don't know how it's going to get better for me socially or mentally - if I struggled in forced proximity, how will I cope as an adult? How will I cope for the rest of university? I do try to put behind everything that happened to me, but I always spiral and suddenly I'm the 16-17 year old loser in sixth form, unable to fit in.
I would really appreciate if anyone can offer advice and support on what I could do to stop feeling like this, and to get better. I understand that it will probably be a long process, but I'm just tired of feeling like this.
[tldr- isolated and depressed in sixth form. got **** grades, and unable to move on as it has still impacted my self confidence, and still socially inept]
never intended to say much on here, also with only making an account today. as i read what you went through i couldn't help but see myself in you. I'm never the person to talk about problems or mental health as again, i relate to suffering in silence but i feel like i need to tell you. as someone else said in another reply, you'll look back at these times and realise how small they were. you need to push yourself outside your own box. yeah sure, you know what could help you, but you're never doing it physically, never putting into action. easier said than done but take a leap. its the only way. we change everyday, everything around us changes everyday, even if its the tiniest amount. even if its so little by little, go put yourself in those moments you find uncomfort. it will be the way you learn to embrace your struggles.
Reply 14
Original post
by r4janvThis is more of a vent, so I apologise for the wall of text.
I [m19] started sixth form in September 2021 as an external student, after attending a grammar school for secondary school but being rejected because my GCSEs weren't good enough ( despite not sitting the exams). I was heartbroken by this, but more gutted at the fact that I would have to leave behind 3 of my closest friends.
Although I started sixth form with hopes to make friends and move on, my mental health plummeted. I made one friend in the first week, but he found a friendship group and we never spoke again (which I have no animosity or problem with). My biggest issue was my incredibly subpar social skills, and it still is. I don't know what exactly is wrong with me, but for some reason I just can't verbally communicate properly with people (outside of my family). I can muster up one or two word sentences, but that's it. I struggled to approach people, let alone hold conversations with them. I always sat in the corner and pretty much isolated myself, and I was the only person in the year group with no friends at all. As I progressed into Year 12 and eventually Year 13, this worsened. I became incredibly avoidant and somehow scared of everyone in my year group, and as a result, stayed away from the sixth form area and isolated myself in the library. I don't know where this came from, but I felt constantly paranoid and restless when near people. Being isolated eventually stemmed into suicidal thoughts and depressive episodes, which I also suffered in silence.
My head of sixth form found out that I was struggling with suicidal thoughts because I quite stupidly searched up "How to deal with suicidal thoughts" on the school computer in a lesson, which was traced back to me. I struggled to really say what was wrong with me, just that I was lonely, tired and just struggling. As a result, all they offered me was referring me to the school counsellor. I did attend about 2-3 sessions, but they were not beneficial to me at all - instead the sessions made me feel worse.
This in turn also affected my grades. I was an A-B achieving student at the start of Year 12 and I wished to keep it this way, but I just couldn't focus on anything at all. I would bring myself to revise, but couldn't - as I would just get distracted by my thoughts - ironic because of how much time I spent in the library. My predicted grades were also very poor ( C, D and Merit) which shattered my self-confidence even more, and so I didn't apply to university, and instead planned to take a year out.
I also revised very little for the A-Level exams itself at all - at this point I was numb and tired of everything. I achieved the exact same results as my predicted grades, but at the time I didn't care and was just glad I didn't fail anything.
After taking a year out (and doing work experience, but nothing else), I applied to university, and that brings us to now. I applied to a local university because my grades weren't really good enough to move away anywhere unless I took a foundation year - which I am not keen on (I go to BCU, if this is relevant) . I regret not moving away, now, but I can't really drop out. I made a post on transferring also, and I am beginning to email the faculty/student support, aiming to get a transfer for the next academic year.
I don't know why I am the way I am, nor do I even know what is wrong with me. I have suspected Avoidant Personality Disorder simultanously with major Social Anxiety, but I haven't recieved a diagnosis, so I can't comment for sure. My social skills are still very poor, and I understand that exposure therapy works best, but I am just too anxious to try it, and even when I do, I feel worse after socialising. I am still lonely at university, but I don't really care anymore.
I recognise that I do need help, but I just don't know where to start. I'd really like a diagnosis at least, but my parents unfortunately don't believe in mental illness and have enough problems of their own. I don't even know my own GP nor how to contact them.
I just feels incredibly isolating and dejecting to feel that nobody out there went what I went through, or know what I went through. I never had my feelings validated either, even by the school counsellor. I try to move on, but it just feels that all the isolation and non-existent self confidence has somehow scarred me permanently. I just don't know how it's going to get better for me socially or mentally - if I struggled in forced proximity, how will I cope as an adult? How will I cope for the rest of university? I do try to put behind everything that happened to me, but I always spiral and suddenly I'm the 16-17 year old loser in sixth form, unable to fit in.
I would really appreciate if anyone can offer advice and support on what I could do to stop feeling like this, and to get better. I understand that it will probably be a long process, but I'm just tired of feeling like this.
[tldr- isolated and depressed in sixth form. got **** grades, and unable to move on as it has still impacted my self confidence, and still socially inept]
I [m19] started sixth form in September 2021 as an external student, after attending a grammar school for secondary school but being rejected because my GCSEs weren't good enough ( despite not sitting the exams). I was heartbroken by this, but more gutted at the fact that I would have to leave behind 3 of my closest friends.
Although I started sixth form with hopes to make friends and move on, my mental health plummeted. I made one friend in the first week, but he found a friendship group and we never spoke again (which I have no animosity or problem with). My biggest issue was my incredibly subpar social skills, and it still is. I don't know what exactly is wrong with me, but for some reason I just can't verbally communicate properly with people (outside of my family). I can muster up one or two word sentences, but that's it. I struggled to approach people, let alone hold conversations with them. I always sat in the corner and pretty much isolated myself, and I was the only person in the year group with no friends at all. As I progressed into Year 12 and eventually Year 13, this worsened. I became incredibly avoidant and somehow scared of everyone in my year group, and as a result, stayed away from the sixth form area and isolated myself in the library. I don't know where this came from, but I felt constantly paranoid and restless when near people. Being isolated eventually stemmed into suicidal thoughts and depressive episodes, which I also suffered in silence.
My head of sixth form found out that I was struggling with suicidal thoughts because I quite stupidly searched up "How to deal with suicidal thoughts" on the school computer in a lesson, which was traced back to me. I struggled to really say what was wrong with me, just that I was lonely, tired and just struggling. As a result, all they offered me was referring me to the school counsellor. I did attend about 2-3 sessions, but they were not beneficial to me at all - instead the sessions made me feel worse.
This in turn also affected my grades. I was an A-B achieving student at the start of Year 12 and I wished to keep it this way, but I just couldn't focus on anything at all. I would bring myself to revise, but couldn't - as I would just get distracted by my thoughts - ironic because of how much time I spent in the library. My predicted grades were also very poor ( C, D and Merit) which shattered my self-confidence even more, and so I didn't apply to university, and instead planned to take a year out.
I also revised very little for the A-Level exams itself at all - at this point I was numb and tired of everything. I achieved the exact same results as my predicted grades, but at the time I didn't care and was just glad I didn't fail anything.
After taking a year out (and doing work experience, but nothing else), I applied to university, and that brings us to now. I applied to a local university because my grades weren't really good enough to move away anywhere unless I took a foundation year - which I am not keen on (I go to BCU, if this is relevant) . I regret not moving away, now, but I can't really drop out. I made a post on transferring also, and I am beginning to email the faculty/student support, aiming to get a transfer for the next academic year.
I don't know why I am the way I am, nor do I even know what is wrong with me. I have suspected Avoidant Personality Disorder simultanously with major Social Anxiety, but I haven't recieved a diagnosis, so I can't comment for sure. My social skills are still very poor, and I understand that exposure therapy works best, but I am just too anxious to try it, and even when I do, I feel worse after socialising. I am still lonely at university, but I don't really care anymore.
I recognise that I do need help, but I just don't know where to start. I'd really like a diagnosis at least, but my parents unfortunately don't believe in mental illness and have enough problems of their own. I don't even know my own GP nor how to contact them.
I just feels incredibly isolating and dejecting to feel that nobody out there went what I went through, or know what I went through. I never had my feelings validated either, even by the school counsellor. I try to move on, but it just feels that all the isolation and non-existent self confidence has somehow scarred me permanently. I just don't know how it's going to get better for me socially or mentally - if I struggled in forced proximity, how will I cope as an adult? How will I cope for the rest of university? I do try to put behind everything that happened to me, but I always spiral and suddenly I'm the 16-17 year old loser in sixth form, unable to fit in.
I would really appreciate if anyone can offer advice and support on what I could do to stop feeling like this, and to get better. I understand that it will probably be a long process, but I'm just tired of feeling like this.
[tldr- isolated and depressed in sixth form. got **** grades, and unable to move on as it has still impacted my self confidence, and still socially inept]
Hi there.
It feels positive that you have shared how you feel here and we can see that the responses you have received are really supportive and positive. We hope it has helped you to feel less isolated. Please take care of your self and
if you feel you need any further support to chat through your thoughts around suicide, we can support you to stay safe. Please reach out here, call us on: 0800 068 4141 or text HOPE to 88247 email- [email protected] or you can webchat here: www.papyrus-uk.org.
Reply 15
Hey! I sat my GCSEs in a psychiatric hospital because I was too suicidal to do them at my school. I then stayed in psychiatric hospitals for 5.5 years (and counting) and I’ve just started one A level online at 21. Along side my mental health diagnoses, I’m autistic too, which means I struggle a lot with social communication and I only say the absolutely necessary stuff. If you struggle with other things like sensory under/overstimulation, intensely focused interests, liking routine and many other things, this could be something to look into. A lot of personality disorders are actually misdiagnosed autism and social anxiety can look very similar to autism too (although you can have both or one or the other).
I hope you find the people who can understand you, both professionally and socially! Sending virtual hugs 🫂
I hope you find the people who can understand you, both professionally and socially! Sending virtual hugs 🫂
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