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Succeeding with a psychiatric disability


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Many people who have had a psychiatric disability have successfully completed university!

'Initially, many people tried to discourage me from going to university. They thought I wouldn't be able to cope with the pressure. And there were occasions (especially around exam times) when I thought I wouldn't be able to cope! But I persevered and got through - then graduated - with honours!'

University life can be a difficult and challenging experience for anybody - but for a person who has a psychiatric disability the difficulties can seem overwhelming at times. With some careful planning however, a disability does not have to be an insurmountable obstacle to successful studies.

Do you disclose?

A common dilemma facing many students with a psychiatric disability is deciding whether to disclose (tell others about) their condition. There are benefits to disclosing, but many people feel that by doing so they will become vulnerable, discriminated against or misunderstood because of people's misconceptions and assumptions.

Disclosure is a personal decision - and you should consider your own situation and circumstances. Some issues to consider may be:

How will I benefit by disclosing?
Who am I telling, and why?
Who else should I tell? Why?
Will I be better supported if I disclose?
Will fellow students be able to offer emotional and practical support (eg study groups, shared lecture notes)?
Are there support services on campus that I can use?
Will academic staff be able to accommodate my particular needs?
Will there be repercussions from disclosing?
Will I be stigmatised as "mentally ill"?

Know yourself and your illness

Learn as much as you can about your condition and what triggers it. Understand the treatments and medications and the effects these have on you, and what impact they may have on life at the university.

There may also be techniques you can use to manage your condition, or even to prevent an episode. Work with a professional you trust to find what works for you.

'My psychiatrist and I really planned for my return to university. We worked out all the possible issues, and she is really supporting me.'

Identify your strengths

Identify what individual strengths you have, and learn how to make these work for you in your university life. For example, you may function better at night than you do in the morning, so plan your study sessions for the evening. Or you may concentrate better in natural environments - so do readings in a park! It may help to compile a list of your personal strengths and then determine how to use them best in your academic career.

'My medication leaves me drowsy in the mornings. I was able to change my early morning lectures this semester. It makes a difference!'

Identify areas where you may need assistance

It may be something as simple as needing extra time with a tutor or needing assistance with a study plan. Asking for help should never be considered a weakness. Recognising where and when you need assistance is a definite strength.

There are services and people on campus (ie Disability Officers, Counsellors, Health Services, Student Support Services etc.) who are there to assist you. Teaching staff and fellow students are often willing to help you too, if they are asked.

Plan ahead

As the nature of most psychiatric disabilities is episodic, it is essential to be well organised and not to leave everything to the last minute. Cramming may be an effective tactic for some - but it can be extremely stressful. If stress is a trigger for your condition it would be wise to avoid last minute studying and assignment writing.

Have a plan for what you will do if something does go wrong. Too often it is a natural instinct for students to pull out of study when a crisis occurs, but there are alternatives. A contingency plan is like an insurance policy, and may safeguard against additional stress if you do become ill. Again, find out about the sources of support that are available at your university - and use them!

'In the end of semester rush I was really disorganised and found myself completely stressed out. I was a real mess and thought I'd fail everything. It was a good lesson though - I'll never do that again!'