Hi,
I'm a twenty year old college sophomore. I'm taking eighteen credit hours (twelve credit hours is considered full-time), and I'm having a really hard time staying focused and doing well. I'll go through a phase where I'll work like crazy and then I'll suddenly get tired and can't do anything. I don't handle stress very well at all. When I think about how many things I need to do this week I can't handle it and it's like I close my eyes and pretend it doesn't exist. Then I just get more stressed out. When I finally sit down to do something I can focus for maybe a minute or two (like a page of reading) before I lose it again. I can't stick to anything.
I'm having a really hard time, and when I get really depressed I think about dropping out of school all together. This semester I'm getting to the point that I can't even get myself out of bed, and then I hate myself for how lazy I am.
I just got diagnosed with bipolar disorder a few weeks ago. I don't know how to handle all of this. Does anyone have any suggestions?
Please don't suggest therapy: I know it's good advice, I just can't afford it. And yes, there is a councilor at my school. But it costs money.