Full Time Studying with Anxiety Disorder

[crazyhayz]

The title says it all. I start college in september after looking after my 2 year old full-time since he was born. I have suffered from GAD for 9 months now, on Citalopram 20mg and Diazepam 2mg. I get sudden panic episodes out of the blue and am worried im guna be unable to do my course as it will be too much and il wanna leave class alot etc..

I hope not but need some advice on best way to cope. Anyone else study with anxiety disorder/panic disorder? How was it been for you?

Thanks guys x

PS. im new here, so hello to all :)

Hi crazy

Your college can really help you if you tell them. They can alter your workload/hand in dates so it's more managable for you, have a chat with them and see what you come up with. Best of luck on the course.

I'm sorry I have no help to offer - I had the same, though I didn't quite recognise it and quit college after a few months, started the next year again, and did the same. I think be honest with your tutors, so they won't tell you off if your late into class (in my case it took alot of courage for me to go and alot of days I just gave up and couldn't, but may have been abit better an hour later), put less pressure on you etc. Sorry, what is GAD though? Good luck, I hope to return to education or work soon, but I am scared of making an even worse track record if I 'quit' something again, so am building myself up slowly - going well so far x

agree with belle - tell your tutors - they will help you. Good luck

contact student services,meet your tutor.be upfront.do anticipate peaks of anxiety and perhaps plan how to manage them

best wishes with your studying!

many people can and do overcome difficulties. cut yourself some slack,dont set unattainable standards

At first it was weird... I took an evening class, one evening a week, and dh had dd at home (she was about 18 months old I think).

It was a massage class. The first time I recieved massage in the class and actually relaxed, I became convinced something had happened to dd and dh was on his way to the hospital!
I literally grabbed my phone out of my bag and called home - obviously everything was fine and I explained to my tutor - who was lovely. I realised that I didn't need to feel guilty about taking an evening class, and that dd was fine with dh - he is SAHD.

That helped me to chill the fuck out and get things into perspective. Absolutely be upfront with tutors about it, and bear in mind that a lot of your classmates will feel the same, shy, in a new environment, don't know anybody and so on.

I am doing 2 evening classes this year and I can't wait!

Btw I would do full time studying if it was possible in my subject - just imagine the joy of being able to have your lunch without nappy changing / taking ds to the loo, picking up food, getting more juice and so on... You savour those sandwiches, girlfriend!