When my ex-wife and I were in college, we both struggled with mental illness. I wasn't quite ready to come to terms with what I had yet; she was being treated poorly.

My ex wife lied to the pdoc so much and so often, I think it led to a misdiagnosis. By the time I met her, we both knew how to manipulate the system quite well. She ultimately got booted out of school and a suicide attempt (7 days in the hospital).

Once she got kicked out, the dean(s) were pissed off. They had been lied to by someone who was EXTREMELY manipulative, or at least that's what they saw. The suicide attempt, subesequent commitment, and new pdoc helped a lot.

I, on the other hand, was in a much better position once I was diagnosed. I was in grad school, am a Katrina survivor, and have a chronic physical condition. Once I was diagnosed, I told the program director (and EVERY professor I had). It came to a point where they knew and were able to say when it was time for some 'time off.'

Here's some advice for you: First and Foremost: DO NOT LIE! Don't lie to the therapist, don't lie to the pdoc, don't lie to the dean, don't lie to the profs, and Most Importantly DON'T LIE TO YOURSELF!!!!!!!!

Second, do not use your diagnosis as a 'crutch' or as an 'excuse.' Know that your diagnosis is an explanation! This isn't like being a Jehovah's Witness or a Mormon...don't advertise it, don't go door-to-door, don't tell Everyone you meet. It's okay to talk and tell the people who need to know, but leave it at that.

Try to do things the right way! This means seeing your therapist and pdoc. Document your medication problems and your feelings. Remember that you might, depending on your diagnosis and condition, find yourself needing disability assistance.

Know that you're in a tight spot right now. It sounds like you've lost the trust of the people you need the most to graduate; you've burned some bridges down to the piers. If you've got less than 60 credits at this school and/or your GPA is less than or close to a 2.0, you might be better off declaring academic bankruptcy and seeking out another school.

Something I've learned over the years....the word discrimination is widely overused. The obligation towards you and your diagnosis is reasonable accommodation. Depending on your diagnosis, they may not have to even do that. If you're majoring (or trying to major in) a license-requiring field such as architecture, engineering, social work, nursing, or even education, you really should call your state's licensure office to find out if you can receive a license in that field with your diagnosis. If your diagnosis is along the lines of or inolves psychosis, don't expect the state to license you. Know that your professors are, by definition, considered experts in their field. In my years in both college and grad school, I have NEVER met a professor who did not see himself or herself as an expert and feel the need to protect his or her profession. No professor (or state licensure board) will knowingly allow someone diagnosed with a mind-altering mental illness construct a bridge, design a building, or teach children.

While there's so much more I could tell you, I'm going to leave you with this: know, respect, cherish, and honor good will. Know that, when you use terms like discrimination, right or wrong, you erode good will. No arbitrator, ombudsman, or judge can compel someone to show you the good will that makes these things work.

Like it or not, people have to want to help you. You also need to know what 'help' is. If you're an accounting major, passing you after you failed math is not going to help; letting you into medical school after you failed biology isn't going to help you. If your grades DO NOT meet Satisfactory Academic Progress, letting you continue on in your present state is not helping anyone, especially you. Take a semester (or two) off, get some help, and try it again.