During the 2017 fall semester, I was diagnosed with PTSD, panic disorder, and bipolar II– the slam dunk of mental illness. Since then, I have had to readjust my habits to make sure that I take care of my mental health as best as possible. The most difficult part by a long shot has been keeping up with school while learning to live with three chronic illnesses.
Here are things that have helped me survive, thrive, and even keep my grades up to almost all A’s (pesky chemistry).
Photo by Asdrubal luna on Unsplash
Know the Resources Available to You
There are numerous mental health resources available to students on OU’s campus. Goddard Health Center offers services including counseling and access to an on-campus psychiatrist. The wait times can be too here, but if you are not in immediate crisis, Goddard is the place to go.
The OU Disability Resource Center is also an excellent resource for those with mental illnesses. For many of us, there are periods of time where it is almost impossible to take care of ourselves — let alone make it to class every single day, or maybe you have severe anxiety and need a different testing environment. The DRC is here for that exact reason– to work with professors to make campus as inclusive as possible to people who are disabled or chronically ill.
Educate Yourself and Your Loved Ones About Your Illness(es)
The most important step in coping with your illness is to understand it. There are numerous resources, online and in print, that can teach you more about the medical mechanics of your illness and coping skills from psychologists and those who also live with the illness.
It can also be helpful to provide educational resources to your significant other or your family members, so they understand how to be the best support system they can be for you! My partner and I both took time to research my mental illnesses, and it has made our relationship so much stronger.
Take Care of Your Physical Health
Taking care of your physical health is vital to living with mental health issues. While exercising and eating well won’t cure you of mental illness, it can make living with it easier. I have found that stocking my pantry with healthy foods and making time to exercise every week makes me feel like I’ve got it together and it makes my body feel good!
Create a Daily Routine
Another helpful tip is to make a daily routine and stick to it: have a designated bedtime and wake-up time, take your medication at the same time every day, write down tasks you want and need to complete on a to-do list or in a planner.
Being organized helps a lot when depressive episodes make your motivation level plummet.
Take Your Medication as Prescribed
Take your medication the way your doctor prescribes it to you. Do not forget to take your medication. I repeat, DO NOT SKIP YOUR MEDICATION. You will thank me for this, I promise. Skipping doses can make it more difficult to stabilize your mental health, which can really impact your ability to get your schoolwork done.
Communicate with Your Professors and TA
Some students, myself included, find themselves needing to be hospitalized a few times a year — whether that be to change medication dosage in a safe environment or to stay safe during episodes of suicidal ideation. In fact, this semester I spent five days in the hospital to work on finding a better dose of medication for my depressive episodes. Upon my return, I communicated with my professors and they were all more than happy to help me get caught up — they even offered a listening ear.
Every now and then, you might come across a professor who is a jerk about mental illness, but most often, the teachers at OU have been nothing but accommodating and understanding.