hello, I have been working on a diagnosis for a few years. I am currently a high school sophomore with a weighted 3.9 and an unweighted 3.25. I have gotten my first quarter D grade in my worst subject, math this year.
in 8th grade I was diagnosed with severe depression and anxiety. recently, I have been diagnosed with bipolar disorder with psychosis and OCD. I have had to drop out of online classes because my mental health has gotten so horrible, and I have frequent breakdowns out of the blue, along with periods of apathy where I do no work whatsoever, frequent violent outbursts, adhd like symptoms during manic phases, and much more.
it has been a living hell for me and I am going into the IB program next year. I can usually manage myself but I am going to be all alone at this school and my paranoia has been running wild. does anyone have any suggestions on how to handle this, or if I could get any help from the school for my mental illnesses? I cannot get treatment at the moment, but I am working hard on finding it.
I want to make straight A’s my next two years of high school. any suggestions? thank you. also, should I mention my mental health issues in college applications?
What do your parents have to say about this situation? Do they offer you advice or assistance?
I do not see how you can possibly go away from home in the fall… You main goal should be to get psychiatric help (meds and therapy).
If I were you, I would only mention health issues if they really did affect you and significantly influenced your life. If not, I would assume college admissions officers would probably hold those health issues in a negative light because I don’t think many colleges would want to deal with unexpected outbursts, etc.
Of course I may be totally wrong so don’t take my word for it.
I want to let you know that I am sorry that you are dealing with this alone. Are your parents aware of how you have been affected by your mental illnesses? Please, please, please, seek someone you can talk to. I am diagnosed with anxiety and depression, and I found that opening up to a teacher helped me, not necessarily improve my situation, but get things I have kept to myself off my chest. You may also want to try online forums, Facebook groups, self-help books, etc. I am also here if you need someone to talk to!
Based on your description of your symptoms, I am not sure if going to a new school and enrolling in the IB program is a good option. Your health should definitely be a priority over your grades. First figure out how you can get treatment before you focus on education.
As far as college admissions, you are not obliged to disclose disability. if you send disability-related information, it will probably be removed before your file is reviewed. Schools recognize that they can and will be sued if the applcant meets admission requirements and has a disability, but is not accepted. If the student has not met requirements he or she will not be admitted (a disability does not mean a school admits unqualified applicant with a disability). Additionally, if a college has more qualified applicants with and without disabilities than it can admit, then a student with a disability can be denied admission. However, if the denied applicant can prove legally that s/he was discriminated against on the basis of disability, admission and monetary damages may be awarded. If a student is denied admission, then disability can be brought up in the appeal, but be careful how you phrase it. Do not describe all of the terrible academic problems because of disability for two reasons. First, when you raise disability, it can be a factor in another adverse decision. Second, if you go on to describe all the terrible things that happen because of your disability, you can be denied admission legally because you suggest you are a at-risk for major problems on campus. Admissions cosmmittee members are not sympathetic, except personally, to your plight if you must write a denial letter, emphasize your accomplishments despite disability. As soon as you submit your acceptance, register with the disability, counseling and health services and give written permission that they offices can talk to each other if a problem related to disability occurs.
l
,