Question:
I am bipolar and am trying to get a degree at the university. My mood swings debilitate my learnig faculties and I can't process information when I study. Am I crazy for thinking that I can get a degree???????? Help, I am on substantial meds, but they can't keep me from going into the "no school zone". I wonder what percentage of bipolar people that seek a degree actually get them.
can anyone give me some suggestions???
Answer:
Take it from one who knows. Yes it is possible to complete your education. When I returned to a local university in 1988, I too wondered if I could finish. I doubted off and on with my mood changes. In fact I was 37, nearly 38 when I sought help for learning problems. My university had an adult learning disability program. I was referred to this program from the learning assistance program which I had begun to seek help from. Here I was with a BS in BUS ADMIN that I earned in '84 and graduated with a 3.6. I had applied to the Masters in Social Work (MSW) department which was impacted with too many applicants and very strict requirements to enter. While I waited to hear if I was accepted or not, I started taking some undergraduate BSW classes for backgound and to let the professors know how dedicated I was and hopefully vote me into the program eventhough I did not do too well on my GRE exam.
The Adult Learning Disabilities Program counselor instructed me to sign up with Disabled Students on campus to continue to get help. Since I did not consider myself disabled, it took me awhile to walk into this office and ask for services. What brought me there was more trouble with my eyes. I was taking a lot of Lithium, because my body dumped it fast and my Dr. wanted to see me at or near at a 2.0 blood level, insanity. I should have taken control of my fate right then. This was too much for me. I got stomach problems, eye problems, and felt like I was pushing a block wall around in front of me. My husband loved me this way but girlfriends confirmed my thoughts and I did eventually quit, but not before my eyes gave way.
Getting on with the reason I responded. There are different medications used to treat BD. Not knowing you or your diagnosis(s), not being a Dr., I want to state that I will not try to persuade you to do anything except to talk with your mental health providers and ask them how you might be able to try new combinations of medications, lower some, or try something completely different. However, know that changing medications while you are in school is not impossible but it may affect your ability to consentrate or stay focused. I know because I felt like a test rat during my first semister in the MSW program. I had gotten there and did not wish to drop out and lose my opportunity to complete my education and open up a new life for myself and others. I was the first MSW student who entered through Disabled Students in my university and thus opened the door for others. Check out your school, there may be many services there to help you make it to your objective, remember, anything is a sinch inch by inch. If you are on student aid, you can get your aid even with part-time classes, but you need to be hooked up with Disabled Students or whatever learning assistance program available inorder to claim a disability and all disabilities can pass, mental and physical.
