Schizophrenia and College?

<p>Hi! I am currently a high school junior and since middle school I have struggled with DIAGNOSED schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. I'm a cheerleader and straight A student... but things havent always been this way... I was just curious about the experiences people have had in applying for college/ getting into college/ adjusting to college who have such mental illnessess since I will be applying to college soon in would be nice to hear some advice and personal anecdotes from others with bipolar disorder/ schizophrenia since everything on CC seems to be about ADD/ ADHD! Thanks and I'm excited to hear from others like me (I hope you are out there!)</p>

<p>Annah, please post this in the college life section as well since I think more people your age post there.</p>

<p>Annah,</p>

<p>First of all, good job on being so resilient and starting to plan for the next stage of your life. My daughter is also diagnosed bipolar and has psychotic/paranoid features and will be heading to college in just a short couple of years.</p>

<p>Also, if you've never read the book, An Unquiet Mind by Kay Redfield Jamison, I would highly recommend it. Much of the book describes her childhood and college years initially UNTREATED and how she managed to get through a PHD program despite being bipolar.</p>

<p>I think one of the most important things will be recreating your support network that is obviously working so well for you right now in a college environment. Keeping a schedule/routine, where you will get your meds and counseling, and getting in contact with a strong Office of Disabilities services who will be able to work with you and your professors if you need breaks or support with classes.</p>

<p>College is like Vegas, there is something to do or someone up 24 hours a day and keeping a regular schedule and enough sleep is so important for someone who has a mood disorder. Also, as I'm sure you already know psychiatric meds and alcohol, DO NOT MIX and the temptation to experiment can be very strong on a college campus.</p>

<p>Since you are doing so well currently, I am guessing that you have become very good at reading yourself and your symptoms and will need to be your first line of defense at school.</p>

<p>Just an FYI, there are scholarship opportunities for people have mental illnesses as well so keep an eye out for those, too.</p>

<p>Good luck and good job on doing so well in HS!</p>