<p>Let me add to everyone else by saying how proud we all are of you that you are reaching out to us for help…</p>
<p>Please post again later tonight; you are not alone…we are all parents watching out for you…</p>
<p>Just chiming in with the others…seek help, you’re not alone, hang tight, it gets better.</p>
<p>ConfusedNLost – if you mention that you have had suicidal thoughts, they will see you immediately. That would be considered an emergency. If you don’t say this, they may put you off, so do put it out there. Depression is treatable, and with help you will make it out of this slump and gain tools for coping if you find your self sliding into depression in the future. Best of luck to you.</p>
<p>More helpful ways to think:</p>
<p>Think of a couple adults in your mom’s age group that you like and admire. It could be a coach, a teacher, a neighbor or a relative. What age did they graduate from college? Chances are you don’t know (or care). </p>
<p>Think of your life from now until age 99. If you end up dropping out this semester or for a couple of semesters, it really won’t matter when you are 88 – or 68 – or 48 – or even 28. So what seems like a Huge Deal now isn’t so much. </p>
<p>Do check your university web site for withdrawal dates. You may be better to withdraw, now. If you wait and try and sit through finals you might end up with a bunch of D’s and F’s (because of those missing assignments). If you withdraw, you might not get back your tuition money – but you would get Incompletes or Withdrawals instead of hammering your GPA. </p>
<p>I second what another poster wrote. Call back to mental health and say THIS IS AN EMERGENCY (yes, I am shouting). You are not functional. You can’t get to class and you are overwhelmed. You don’t want to wait until they’ve got their office repainted or reorganized to get help. You need help NOW. (and if you wait a week that withdrawal deadline may be passed). </p>
<p>I wrote on another thread that my son got overwhelmed and felt terribly guilty. Turns out he needed evaluation and Executive Functioning testing from a psychologist. With understanding of how his brain works (from the tests) and the right medication, he is in a completely different place. He is much, much happier and making friends is a ton easier when you can get out of bed and feel happy instead of guilty. </p>
<p>Please don’t beat yourself up for “shortcomings”. IT may be that your brain is out of gas and will not function until you learn what you need to do to “fill the tank.”</p>
<p>ConfusedNLost–How are things going today?</p>
<p>Thank you guys so much for your kind words. You made me cry - and in a good way!</p>
<p>Today is looking way better. I didn’t get a chance to talk to anyone from health services yesterday so I went early today. (I walked-in and was seen within half an hour.) I missed my classes again though which sucks. I went in and talked and it made me feel better. Not completely though - of course, that takes a lottttt of time and rest but it helped me see some things more clearly. It helped to talk about it. I’m trying to be more honest about how I feel and not hide. I really want to get better; I have had bouts of depression on and off since I was about 11. I want help. </p>
<p>I talked about leaving this semester. Yesterday, I was convinced I needed to leave and go home right away. Now, I’m not so sure that’s best for me. I’m scheduled for a med evaluation Friday (or hopefully someone will be able to see me Friday) and I’m suppose to go in Tuesday as well to talk to the therapist there. </p>
<p>I don’t know what to do still about school. This semester is more than half way over and I’m not completely failing my classes as of yet - I’m just behind on my papers and assignments and readings and I got a D on one of my Soc tests. I know I can do it and work through it especially because of Thanksgiving break. That’s all I’m trying to do - get through this week and see if I can make it to T-day break. Then after that, just three weeks of school and break.</p>
<p>I also just met with someone in Student Services and talked about leaving. She told me to wait until Monday to decide if I truly want and need to leave, after my med evaluation. She was sort of tough about it but it helped me see things in perspective. I know if I truly need to, I can just stay home next semester and go to the local branch campus there. I just want to not bomb this semester. She e-mailed my professors and said I should do so as well, which I’m planning to do today.</p>
<p>Baby steps. She wants me to try to start one HW task and later, work on my papers which are overdue. I hope my professors are understanding. It’s a whole mess of things - I also need to talk to my roommate about being less distracting when she Skypes with her bf. Baby steps though. </p>
<p>It’s looking better already though of course, not ideal. I’m going home this weekend for the first time this semester. I can’t wait.</p>
<p>Thanks again soooo much you guys. (or parents. 
) I really appreciate all your kind words. I will keep you guys updated.</p>
<p>Confused - Today you made HUGE progress. You should feel very proud of yourself for taking the initiative to walk into the counseling center. I can tell it is very important to you that you get better - AND YOU WILL!</p>
<p>Keep updating us and try and get another good night’s sleep.</p>
<p>Thank you so much for letting us know of your progress!</p>
<p>I just want to add that in a case of a medical situation like depression, often accommodations are made for students. This could be extensions on work (so that, say, you catch up by the end of Thanksgiving break, or the end of the semester, or even do incompletes during winter break).</p>
<p>Alternatively, you could have accommodations concerning withdrawal, meaning no penalties on your transcript for withdrawing, grades wiped clean, that sort of thing, though it doesn’t sound as if you would necessarily be concerned with your grades at this point, since they don’t sound like they are too bad.</p>
<p>Tell the psychiatrist everything you can, because the psychiatrist can help figure out how best to proceed. Also, your parent(s) can help advocate for you, if you fill her/them in. As I said before, sometimes it is hard to advocate for oneself, and although colleges say they want kids to do it, they really listen to parental input in these situations.</p>
<p>Finally, the psychiatrist may give you some idea about whether or not returning for spring semester is a good idea. It may be that meds (or meds plus therapy) will make that very possible. But you also have a great fallback: you are lucky to have a branch of the school near home.</p>
<p>Take care, keep going, good for you!</p>
<p>Wow. Thanks for the update! You’ve accomplished a lot today. I’m impressed with your initiative and your writing.</p>
<p>I’m glad to hear that you’re going home this weekend. Please let me reiterate what Mainstone said above–you cannot “fail” as a daughter. If my (college freshman) daughter told me what you’ve told us, I can assure you my first thoughts would not be–…Fail! or …after all we’ve spent on your education! or (okay, I’m having trouble thinking of other things I’d never think!) Instead, I would think–I am so sorry to hear you’re having health problems, I love you, what can we do to help you? </p>
<p>I hope you’ll have a great visit and a chance to relax and talk to your parents.</p>
<p>Please do keep us updated!</p>
<p>DO take time to look at the withdrawal deadlines. They may be this week. Don’t let the withdraw date zoom by without a plan.</p>
<p>I’m so glad you took those steps towards better health. I know that is SO hard when you feel like that. I had a pretty severe depression when I was a little older than you, and it was painfully hard to even talk to people, to make an appointment. </p>
<p>It can be overwhelming when you are suffering with depression. But you are right to think in baby steps. (Took me a long while to figure that out). That is the best way to think about this. Each step takes you a little further; even a few small steps away from ‘rock bottom’ is a major improvement. Keep taking little steps. One day at a time.</p>
<p>You are amazing. I’m so glad you shared your story. Best wishes to you.</p>
<p>Some day you will know how strong you are to take these steps. For now, though, just be as kind to yourself as you can. Don’t force yourself into something you can’t handle, and get well.</p>
<p>It will get better, but some days will still be very hard. </p>
<p>Keep us posted, and good luck.</p>
<p>Hey guys. Today was another good day. The only bad thing is that I’m sleep deprived. Last night, I took a two hour nap and only slept about 3 1/2 hours that night. I’m not as tired as I usually would be - I think maybe this is related to my depression, the not feeling sleepy. I’m going to try to get some sleep this weekend! </p>
<p>Last night I also felt strangely calm. Nirvana. I took a shower then began to write of my overdue papers. I didn’t feel stressed about it or panicked; I just wanted to write it and finish it. I didn’t feel rushed or pressured to finish it though. It took me about three hours to write four pages. I felt good. </p>
<p>Three of my four professors e-mailed me back and were completely understanding, especially my Brit Lit professor. I really am lucky. My soc TA emailed me back and she always has been really helpful so it wasn’t a surprise when she wanted to know if there was anything she could do to help. I went to one class today (out of 2) and later met up with someone from my class to start a group project. </p>
<p>I’m feeling better. I don’t know if I’m scheduled for the med evaluation tomorrow since the therapist said she would call me IF she could schedule me in. If not, then next week. My mom and sister are coming up tomorrow and we’re going to see my other sister who lives about thirty minutes away. I’m excited but I’m going day by day, hour by hour. </p>
<p>Of course, everything is not all roses and rainbows, just like that. I know I’m going to have off-days and possibly feel moments and bouts of despair. I’m going to start seeing someone regularly beginning Tuesday I believe. I still have some moments where I want to cry but that’s mostly because I get emotional when I talk about how I feel or reflect on how I used to feel. Also, the outpouring of love from my professors, my family and from you guys makes me tear up too, I must confess. 
A sap at heart. But seriously, talking about everything made me feel soooo much better. A weight has been lifted and I see hope. </p>
<p>I’m trying to take it slow and calmly regarding my school work. I have a test Monday that I’m going to study for this weekend. </p>
<p>Oly, do you mean the last day to withdraw with a W from a class? That was Monday but I know that the Office of Student Services works with the student if one must withdraw after the deadline without damaging my record. </p>
<p>I’m pretty sure I’m going to finish this semester out and try to salvage my classes. I have B’s in three and a D in one. Sociology is the one that used to freak me out so much; just thinking about studying for the tests was overwhelming. I think I can handle it now, with some help. </p>
<p>As for next semester, I register for classes tomorrow. I was looking at the branch classes yesterday and today, at classes here, now, I’m not sure what to do. I want a single on campus for next semester so I can concentrate fully on my well being and studies and not worry about another person (sounds terrible, I know) but IDK if that’s going to happen. I think I’m going to register for classes here at the main campus first and then decide within the next week what to do. I’m sorta putting that off and trying to focus on little things.</p>
<p>Sorry this is so long! And sincerely, thank you guys once again so much. I read and re-read every single response and gave each a lot of thought.</p>
<p>The therapist I saw yesterday just called me and let me know that I’ll be seeing her Monday and the nurse for the med evaluation Tuesday.</p>
<p>OP, just joining the others in saying it’s so good that you are getting help. It’s good that your professors will work with you - most will work with you if you ask.</p>
<p>Hang in there, just get through it one day at a time. It will be all right. You don’t have to figure it out all at once - and if the W deadline slips by and you need to drop one class, student services will work with you. It’s not unheard of for a student to get a W in the last week of classes if there are special circumstances. </p>
<p>I’m glad you came here and keep us posted.</p>
<p>Thank you for the update.</p>
<p>I’m glad to hear you feel less overwhelmed and are starting to be able to see all of your options.</p>
<p>I’m also glad to hear you have your eval set up and an appointment to talk to someone on Tuesday. Take it easy this weekend and don’t get ahead of yourself. If you are able to get some excercise during the day it might help with being able to sleep at night. Just a suggestion. But don’t stress it.</p>
<p>A lot of us are thinking about you.</p>
<p>Hugs! And as the French say…Bon Courage.</p>
<p>So glad you have gotten some help set up, and it is a lesson in itself to see how supportive people can be when you open up enough to receive it!</p>
<p>I think, as you said, that the school will work with you on any withdrawals or other administrative problems that might crop up.</p>
<p>It may be hard to decide which school to attend because further improvements may occur through therapy, meds, or natural progress out of a depression. Hopefully, the therapist can help you with this. I think you have made a smart decision to register where you are, for now, because it does seem like there is a good chance you are going to be okay for that.</p>
<p>Good luck next week and, I should say, with the work over the weekend. Be kind to yourself!</p>
<p>Great news and I hope other students reading this thread will learn too that the first and biggest step is acknowledging how you are feeling and asking for help. Good luck to you :-)</p>
<p>Thanks for your most recent update! It seems like you are making lots of progress but have the maturity and insight to know that there will still be ups and downs.</p>
<p>I have a comment about your possibly seeking a single next semester: I don’t think it is selfish to want to be able to concentrate on your health and your studies. At the same time, the right roommate could be helpful by providing support and friendship.</p>
<p>Please continue to keep us updated!</p>
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