Struggling with MH at uni

[Wombles95]

I’m a mature student in my first year of university and I’m really struggling with depression. I’ve had depression before but it hasn’t been this bad for years.

I’ve spent the majority of the past week crying and barely having the energy to shower or make food. I have an assignment due in tomorrow afternoon that I’ve barely started even though I’ve been off uni this past month. I’ve recently been diagnosed with Dyslexia & Dyspraxia which is making studying ten times harder. I also have a part time retail job at the weekend and I’ve even been struggling to do that. A manager pulled me up on working slowly last week so I explained about the recent Dyspraxia diagnosis but it just made me feel like I’m too dumb to even work in a supermarket.

I moved cities to start this degree but now I just feel trapped and like I’ll not get through the first year let alone graduate. I can’t drop out and restart in September as I’d need to find someone to fill my room in halls and can’t move in with parents/friends as none of their accommodation is suitable.

I’m going to phone the GP tomorrow morning to get an appointment, and most likely some anti depressants, but does anyone have any advice?

Hey! Sorry you’re feeling like this 😢 long time anxiety sufferer here 👋🏻

Have you spoken to anyone at university about how you’re feeling? I’ve had extensions on assignments etc from the open uni and they’ve been really kind and supportive. Taking the pressure off might help a bit? xxx

Speak to the Student Union about support available to you. You can also speak to your personal tutor/programme leader about extensions to deadlines (Have you had an assessment of needs through the Inclusion Services team? You may find you are entitled to extra time and learning support). You could also apply for extenuating circumstances. Good luck

I have 2 week extensions in place already due to my mental health/dyslexia. If I submit my assignment within 7 days, with a doctors letter, the mark might not be capped at a pass. Although right now I’m not even really worrying about my grades.

I’ve already deferred 1 module and been to see the well-being support last month but the slots are only 10 minutes. I should probably go speak to my personal tutor as well but she’s not very approachable which puts me off.

I think the fact that lectures are starting again next week is making me feel a lot worse as I still haven’t finished my earlier assignments and am just going to be given more work to do. One of my days is 7 hours in uni and the other 2 days I’m in for 4 hours each time and I just don’t know how I’m going to manage to concentrate for that long as well as not start crying.

Sorry that you have anxiety as well, it’s so draining

You might not feel like it but you sound like you’re doing all the right things, you’re asking for support from uni and planning to speak to the GP.

It’s just you’re right in the middle of it and your low mood is making it all feel unmanageable. Be kind to yourself, it’s the only thing a depressed/anxious brain listens to in my experience. Are there things that helped in the past when you felt down? xxx

Thank you , I’m trying to remind myself that I’m still doing my best even if I’m not able to balance uni, work and my mental health right now. The GP did offer me anti depressants back in December and I’m really regretting not starting them as I know they’ll take awhile to kick in.

I was having monthly private therapy sessions up until mid November but then my Therapist went on paternity leave but I think he’s back working now so will try to arrange a session with him. Talking and seeing my friends and family helped but I don’t feel close enough with anyone at uni to explain my situation and don’t really want my family to keep worrying about me. I used to do yoga, climbing, reading, going for walks, visiting museums but I feel like the depression has made everything seem unenjoyable especially now that I’m finding it hard to leave my flat.

I'm a mature student, now in my final year. At my uni, the Welfare and Disability arranged to do an assessment with me as I suffer from anxiety and depression. I had one and was given a mind mapping app and a lecture capture app for my laptop to help with studying. I was also allocated a study mentor who I see weekly to help me stay on track. The study mentor made a huge difference to me. Go and see if your uni offers anything similar.

Make sure you ask your GP for a note so you can ask for an extension due to extenuating circumstances.

Hope you get on ok today, when I was particularly anxious/depressed a few years back I read overcoming depression by Paul Gilbert and it really helped. Might not be up your street but worth a look xxx