What should I do about college

[amberzak]

I had a lot of time off before Christmas. I am willing to do all the work to catch up, I have been using my collegues notes and I plan to finish a lot of work while I am on a simester break. Sice coming back I have attended almost every lesson. But they want a doctors note for why I was off so long. I was in hospital for a couple of days due to a chest infection which also interfered with my diabetes (I am diabetic also) but there was more than just that. I was depressed. Still haven't got myself completely out of it, but I am a lot better now. I don't want to tell them that was why I was off. How do I get round this?

[Bullet]

Amberzak, please try not to worry about telling them. Depression is an illness, it's nothing to be ashamed of. Think of it as a chemical imbalance in your brain that needs correcting. If you hurt your leg, you wouldn't feel as though you couldn't tell people about that, could you? So think of your brain as just another part of your body and the depression is an illness of it that needs fixing.

Your college/university should have a student counsellor to talk to about your depression and telling your lecturers and tutors why you were off should give you the extra support you may need.

[hev]

totally agree with bullet,i too suffer from depression and it took me a long time to pluck up the courage to tell my former employer but they were very understanding,they will appreciate your honesty and will give you extra support,good luck love hev

[amberzak]

Thanks.

 

I do tend to over worry a bit sometimes, but I just get so worried about how to say things, and what people will think of me.

 

but you are right. If they don't understand then they are just not very good teachers.

[Kathryn]

I totally agree with the others, amberzak. You won't be the first student to have had depression. It's a common illness, and many well known and successful people admit to having it at some time in their lives, so it's nothing to be ashamed of.

[Bullet]

I find it very very difficult to tell people when I'm worried about something. But I do find it a lot easier to write down what's bothering me and let them read it. The health visitor got a bit of a shock I think, when the tongue tied, no eye contact, constantly repeating herself woman presented an articulate, well set out piece of writing

[Suze]

<'> ..............please don,t worry about your DR.s note, I think it is important that the college know what you have gone through and are coping with.It should make them more understanding , I was dx with depression last year (after struggling for 3 yrs) and after starting treatment feel much better. <'> Bullet...................totally agree with you.

[phasmid]

Please go talk to your tutor. I was/am in this position too. Due to the semester from hell last autum, had to miss some lectures and knew I was not going to make my hand-in dates. I spoke to my tutors when each problem arose. They insisted I filled in a mitigating circumstances form to put before the college board - just in case. I had to use it. They were fantastic about it. Please don't worry. They will have heard your sorts of problems before. Ask them what's needed for the form, diabetic complications might well be enough. Whatever you do do not ignore it. They will want to help you. Please talk to them about things.

[sue45]

I agree with Phasmid and Bullet, once people know what's going on theyre usually very understanding but if you don't tell them they can't really help you. I too suffered with depression last year and needed medication to sort myself out. It's an awful illness and not one to be ashamed of.

 

Take care

 

Sue

 

xx

[Tez]

Over the past few years my husband has had considerable periods away from work due to depression and the doctor has merely signed the sick note - debility, which he says that he is allowed to do. Perhaps, if you really don't want the college told about the details of your medical conditions, your doctor would be willing to do the same. However, I do agree with the others who have posted, that actually listing depression might get you the support that you need to feel better yourself and achieve better in your course.

 

Whatever you decide, I hope that you're now feeling better and that your health continues to improve.

[JsMum]

Hi you have a lot to deal with at the moment and your not supergirl so I would share your medical problems with a college councillior who could attatch you to the specialist support who could help you with your course and provide you with a mentor who is there to talk to, they are a brilliant service and when I was at college I had this service and they are really supportive, they make sure that everything is discreet and there is flexability within your time scedule.

 

Depression is certainly an debilitating condition and you shouldnt be fighting this on your own and there is no way anything to be ashamed of too.

 

You really need to get some support in college or the strain of it all will get on top and make your depression worse, the chest infection is also a sign you are run down and really need to work at building yourself back up again, or your going to get reacurring chest infections as your emotional well being is going to put strain on stress levels and in turn that causes the immune system to be less effective.

 

Colleges have the resources to support you so its about going to them and letting them know that it is support and understanding that you require.

 

Good Luck