Need advice on what to do next.

So I've been considerably depressed throughout most of this semester. I worked with my teachers and kept holding out because we were trying out meds and I thought that I would eventually be able to get to the point where I could catch up enough to still make it. Now, two weeks away from finals I have not been able to do any real work in over a month. I still have midterms I haven't taken. I'm already late on final assignments for the semester. I had already planned to take incompletes in my classes and finish the work over winter break.

All on the assumption that things would start to get better in time to get that accomplished. After so many failed attempts and so much time having passed, I don't know how to handle the next step.

I'm a senior and need to take 8 classes (4/semester) to graduate which includes my thesis. This is already my fifth year.

I might be able to apply for a medical withdrawal (due date already passed, but could possibly get an exception) but then I'd lose all the credits from this semester. And then there's my thesis. It's possible that I could do enough work to catch up over the break, but if I can't?

I'm wondering if maybe just taking the rest of the year off and trying again next year isn't better?

Any advice?

It can be hard to work on mental health and school at the same time. Maybe you could finish the incompletes over winter break and then take the rest of the year off from there? Focus on getting to a better place? Nothing stresses me out like deadlines in school, and stress can be a major contributing factor in setting off episodes; maybe some time to yourself will help.

As for how to proceed more generally, you might want to look into changing up your meds. I could be wrong, but my understanding was that Lamictal was supposed to primarily work on depressions, and it seems like 400mg/day is a rather high dose for it to not be working. Do you see a psychiatrist? Maybe ask them to reevaluate what's been helping and what hasn't... Then again, you said that you were trying new meds this semester, so maybe it'll just take more time...

Hope you feel better soon.

I think Lexicon has some really good advice here. I actually just dropped out of my 6 semester program right in the middle of third semester because I just couldn't handle the stress anymore. First and second semester around midterms I had an episode, and it didn't fail me in third semester. I talked to my parents and doctor about it and we all decided it would be best for me to drop out.

I'm not saying drop out!! That was just what I felt I had to do. I think you should just take as much time as you need to complete your courses, IF you're still interested in what you're doing. My issue was I wasn't interested anymore, as well as not doing well mentally. Just take your time. It's not a race. There's no point in causing yourself distress trying to take on too much.

Talk with your doctor and teachers and whoever else is involved and see what can be done. Don't stress over it!

Take care, and let us know what you decide to do!

Nupy

hi

I was at uni whilst being unwell and it was very very difficult. If I were you I would take some time out to get properly better then go back. The thing is that if you dont, things are likely to build and build and then you may crash - that is what happened to me. I can understand this is a difficult decision but I do think that is is worth thinking about taking some time out to focus on healing.

Huge hugs

Cracked

Thanks everyone.


Also, my signature is old. I've changed combos a few times since then and am currently on 200mg Lamictal and 200mg Vyvanse in the morning.