mental disorders and excuses?

<p>I've been really struggling with what events are excusable and what events are my responsibility and my fault. This may sound vauge, so let me clarify. Obviously, if you are sick with an illness, you should be excused from class or a test, or what not, and be allowed to re-take it at a later date. But what about mental illnesses?</p>

<p>I have clinical depression and anxiety that results in panic attacks. I am taking a summer lab course at a university in my town and I had a panic attack during lab the other day and had to leave. I recieved a "0" for the day. If this happens again, I will atomatically fail the course. I am struggling with whether or not I should tell my teacher about my condition and see if he makes an exception, should something else come up. </p>

<p>The thing is, I hate being different and feel like I really shouldn't recieve any special attention. Everyone is born with different abilities and limitations and I feel like this is my struggle and I need to overcome it. If I work harder on controling my anxiety, this shouldn't happen and I shouldn't have to miss class. </p>

<p>Anyway I was just wondering about what everyone else thought about this.</p>

<p>Perhaps your doctor can 1. diagnose the problem or recommend another doctor who can. 2. perscribe medication to help control it. 3 notify your school if there is indeed a diagnosed problem, so that accomodations can be made.</p>

<p>Agree with leanid. In addition to meds there are also biofeedback training methods that you can learn to help control the feelings of anxiety when they start. See your doctor and maybe ask for a referral to a counselor specializing in these areas. But for the immediate problem with your lab--see your doc. to see what you can do to get through this class. Good luck.</p>

<p>Well, the thing is, it used to much worse, but now I am diagnosed, am on medication, seeing a doctor, a therapist, a psychiatrist, and am getting biofeedback. However, I still have episodes. </p>

<p>The question still remains. Everytime I have an episode I feel like it is my fault and that I don't deserve to get an excused absense/more time on a paper. However, what if I fail a class or something?</p>

<p>It seems really important that you keep a record of what's going on before and when you have episodes to share with your therapist and also that you discuss the fact that you feel as if the episodes are all your fault with him/her. Finally, have you worked on any techniques you can use to deal with some of the emotions and physical sensations you experience just before you have a panic attack?</p>

<p>Are there any accomidations that might make things easier? For example, I panic when I'm surrounded by too many people. I found if I sit in the front center of a room I can survive with the people behind me. I can't concentrate on tests very well w/o freaking. I got accomidations to take the test in a room by myself with double the time.</p>

<p>You aren't getting "special treatment", so stop thinking like that. You are getting the accomidations necessary for you to finish school and there's no shame in that. People without panic disorders don't need the same things to graduate.</p>

<p>I don't care that it's my bipolar that makes me miss classes, it's just as valid as if I were diabetic and hospitalized for blood sugar issues. I'll ask for help because I need it. So do you.</p>

<p>You'll need your psychiatrist to write a letter to the (whatever your school calls) disability resource center. And have them very carefully outline the accomidations you need. If it's standing outside the classroom for 10 minutes while your Ativan kicks in, then get it in writing and get the help you need!</p>

<p>And yes, talk to your instructor. He'll likely be understanding. Good luck!</p>

<p>The purpose of accomodations is to level the playing field; to take the disability as much as you possibnly can out of the equation. You're not getting any special treatment for asking for them. Talking to the profesor might help, but the best thing to do, if you want accomodations, is to go to the campus office of disability services. They are the ones on campus who will examine your medical documentation and help you obtain the appropriate accomodations.</p>

<p>The leveling the playing field idea has never made sense to me. Everyone has a different background with different disabilities (whether they are officially recognized or not) and it seems impossible to "level the playing field". Yes, I might have a hard time taking tests becuase I have panic attacks, but what about the girl who has to go home to an abusive father who doesn't let her do her homework? Or the guy who has to work to support his family and work every night?</p>

<p>My point is, if we really tried to level the playing field, barely anyone would NOT get an advantage of some sort. </p>

<p>I am tempted to treat my problems like anyone else would treat their problems and just try and deal with them to the best of my ability without any "special treatment." I was raised in a good, healthy, family with lots of support so I have that going for me, and a lot more. I shouldn't let one little short coming of mine slow me down.</p>

<p>It is a legal issue. The law forbids discrimination against a person because they have a disability. Do what you want. But I would get some treatment for the dpression and panic disorders.</p>

<p>Yeah - the problem is - there is a blurry line between leveling the playing field and turning a disadvantage into even more of an advantage. It's especially blurry when people are diagnosed with borderline cases and are entitled to the same treatment as those with the severe cases of a syndrome.</p>