Yes, but it seems the parents will just say that the OP should “buckle down and try harder”, which is not going to be helpful in this situation.
I think blossom’s suggestion of having a dean recommend a medical withdrawal is a brilliant option.
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Any news now that you’ve met with the psychiatrist? Were you able to email all your professors (cf. Template upthread) and what did they reply wrt accommodation?
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So when is your next appointment with him? He should have given you another appointment VERY soon, since from what you’re describing on here, it looks as if you’re having major depression, and that doesn’t usually warrant a “wait and see” approach!
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College counseling services frequently do lots of things that they theoretically “shouldn’t” be doing. I know lots of people who have been screwed over by my school’s counseling services. But the psychiatrist was hesitant to prescribe meds because there might be “external” factors contributing to my depression and anxiety (not biological ones).
Any news now that you’ve met with the psychiatrist? Were you able to email all your professors (cf. Template upthread) and what did they reply wrt accommodation?
Very lucky to have very accommodating professors, although my course load is very easy this semester (and thus I don’t really need that many accommodations).
Depression can be precipitated by life events. It’s still depression, still can warrant treatment. Treatment might help you to be able to finish the semester, might help you to be able to move forward in some manner, even if it’s to make a decision to withdraw. It might help you feel better, might reduce your suffering.
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So…are you getting decent grades in all these courses because upthread, you said that was not the case. If it’s not the case…why? Maybe you do need some accommodations if you are getting poor grades in very easy courses.
None of my courses really have grades right now. They are mainly determined by the end of the semester if that makes any sense.
So it sounds like you feel like you’re floundering, but in fact you may not be. It might be helpful to check in with your profs, let them know how you’re feeling about your performance, see what they have to say, and then not take any equivocal/negative things they say along the way and magnify them till they becomes their entire side of the conversation, and something to worry about – hear their suggestions and take on board the positive things they say and whatever interest they show in you. I am 100% certain you won’t be the first student to come to them with these worries, and they may be able to work something out with you where they do give you a heads-up if they see you running into trouble. You can outsource that part of your life worry to them, in other words.
I agree, but unfortunately my school does not.
Update: my psychiatrist at my school told me to contact the disabilities office due to my anxiety. But the disabilities office told me they couldn’t make any accommodations for me. Interesting.
That seems odd. Did they give a reason why? Did you or your psychiatrist turn in documentation? Usually the school requests something from your provider.
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They just said “we can’t do anything just because you’re anxious.” Probably because most kids at my (high pressure) Ivy have some form of anxiety. They contacted my psychiatrist but nothing resulted from that.
I am sorry to hear this but sadly not surprised. It is a catch all type diagnosis that is everywhere now. It might be worth talking to your psychiatrist again and asking them if there could also be an additional diagnosis in your case since you are feeling so debilitated. Someone I know had been diagnosed with anxiety for years and then a doctor looked deeper and found it is really PTSD. Different treatment implications. Keep advocating for your healthcare - I know it is difficult…
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I’m sorry to hear that. Has working with your psychiatrist seemed to help? Do you also have a therapist/counselor?
It’s not enough to just say you’re anxious. You need an actual diagnosis from the psychiatrist or from another therapist.
Your diagnosis may be General Anxiety Disorder or something more specific. You also mention Depression as well as Anxiety. There needs to be information on how the disorder affects you and interferes with your life and your academics and how accommodations can help you overcome that interference. It’s a process and there are some hoops to jump through because they don’t want to give our accommodations unnecessarily. However, under the law, they can get into a lot of trouble if they refuse appropriate accommodations to someone who legitimately needs them. They will be tailored not only your diagnosis, but also how it affects you personally.
Although I said you need a diagnosis, you don’t really, but it will be a lot harder without it.
Also, I know the process can be overwhelming, especially when you are in distress and without the support of your parents. But, it’s worth it to get what you need.
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Will you be home for the holidays in which you could see your family doctor? If so, I would encourage you to do that. Many seem to think only a Psych can prescribe antidepressants but that’s not the case. In either instance they can provide evaluations both physically and mentally. I’m sorry you are going through a difficult time. (((hugs)))
Go back to the psychiatrist at the school who told you to apply for accommodations and review what you requested and your actual diagnosis. Listen to what they say and take notes. They may not be able to directly tell you that their report said you do not need accommodations, but they may try to help you understand where you are in this process.
Research on your college’s website the language they use and make sure you follow the process. Even reach out to your high school counselor and ask them if they helped anyone navigate this process as they transitioned to college. They may have so helpful advice.
There are legal parameters and case law for accommodations for certain disabilities and depending on what accommodations you requested and how your disability was documented they may have denied the request for a number of reasons. General anxiety does not typically qualify for accommodations or, in a job, the family medical leave act. They look at how day to day functioning is impacted as well. Depression and other mental health related disabilities do trigger eligibility for accommodations. Example, with depression, it is reasonable to ask for accommodations with unexpected absences and flexibility in time to make up work. If someone has a neurological related disability/processing differences they can ask for an accommodations for extended time on a test. Someone with depression would not be approved for that. Someone who is blind will ask for accommodations to sync course info with their Braille reading tech. That would obviously not be approved as an accommodation for depression.
Be kind to yourself. Reach out for help when you need it.
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Could you clarify how you are doing this term? At one point you said you weren’t doing well. At another point you said your courses this term were easy and not a problem.
Which is it?
Agree…go back to the psych and inquire.