 |
| FAQ/Help |
| Calendar |
| Search |
 |
|
Forums Index
|
| Reply |
| Thread Tools | Display Modes |
|
|
Forums Index
|
| Reply |
| Thread Tools | Display Modes |
|
#1
Oct 12, 2015, 05:23 PM
|
|||
|
|||
|
Hi everyone,
I just started a new grad program. I should clarify that I usually don't have a problem with the academics as long as I pace myself and am aware of sleep patterns (finished a PhD earlier this year, and am now doing another, more clinical degree) so that part should be OK. We have other requirements that involve more "community service" type experiences which I actually really enjoy. However, one of the events coming up is a fundraiser that involves moving for 10 hours straight without sitting, and it's during the night time. I know we are supposed to participate, but I'm not clear yet on what capacity we will be helping out in. Either way, I don't think I can physically handle standing up for that long (I have a lot of issues with fatigue, especially with all the meds I take), and I'm also not sure if I should mess with my sleep schedule like that. (The best I've been able to do is optimize it so that I go through cycles of a few weeks sleeping 8+ hours a night and a few weeks sleeping 3-4 hours a night. I try to limit caffeine but need 1-2 coffees a day to make sure I stay awake driving to school, which is an hour away, and my classes are clustered together a few days a week.) I am open about my bipolar disorder (the program is very small, with 12 students total; the co-director already knows as do 3/5 of my classmates, and I'm happy to let the others know as needed). They've been very supportive so far. I'm in a very small counseling-related field so empathy is really considered important and so people have reacted well. I am stable with meds and weekly therapy. I would really like your opinion as to how I should handle this. The field I am in is competitive in terms of getting into schools and I don't want to seem like I can't take part in things (as a side note, I'm one of the stronger students so far), but I also need to make sure I don't crash and burn. One option I thought of is having my psychiatrist write a letter to take to Disability Services so I can things formalized, but I'm not sure what accommodations to ask for. If anyone here has been through such a process and would be willing to share your experiences, I would really appreciate it.
__________________
Bipolar II, possibly rapid cycling Misdiagnosed with major depression for 15 years. Current meds: Lamictal (generic) 300 mg Wellbutrin (generic) 150 mg Effexor ER (generic) 300 mg Topomax (generic) 100 mg Klonopin (generic) as needed High-dose Vitamin D Previously taken: Abilify Depakote Pristiq Trazodone Taken when misdiagnosed with major depressive disorder: Prozac Lexapro Zoloft Paxil |
|
#2
Oct 12, 2015, 05:35 PM
|
||||
|
||||
|
What is this, like one of those sorority aerobic-a-thons or something? Im surprised the school or whoevers lawyers are allowing it to go on. There has to be a waiver sheet. Did you check the entire online application?
|
|
#3
Oct 12, 2015, 06:18 PM
|
|||
|
|||
|
No, it's part of a cancer foundation fundraiser. The cancer foundation is a major supporter of our program.
__________________
Bipolar II, possibly rapid cycling Misdiagnosed with major depression for 15 years. Current meds: Lamictal (generic) 300 mg Wellbutrin (generic) 150 mg Effexor ER (generic) 300 mg Topomax (generic) 100 mg Klonopin (generic) as needed High-dose Vitamin D Previously taken: Abilify Depakote Pristiq Trazodone Taken when misdiagnosed with major depressive disorder: Prozac Lexapro Zoloft Paxil |
|
#4
Oct 12, 2015, 06:23 PM
|
||||
|
||||
|
Find out if you can participate in some other way. Most people can't walk/run/stand for 10 straight hours without rest, or at least getting the chance to sit down. There must be some other way you can be part of the fundraiser without doing something you are physically incapable of or threatens your health.
__________________
DX: Bipolar 1 Anxiety Tardive dyskinesia Mild cognitive impairment RX: Celexa 20 mg Gabapentin 1200 mg Geodon 40 mg AM, 60 mg PM Klonopin 0.5 mg PRN Lamictal 500 mg Levothyroxine 125 mcg (rx'd for depression) Trazodone 150 mg Zyprexa 7.5 mg Please come visit me @ http://bpnurse.com |
 unaluna
|
|
#5
Oct 12, 2015, 07:58 PM
|
|||
|
|||
|
That's a good idea. Even if I have to be there the whole time, not having to physically participate would be a huge help.
__________________
Bipolar II, possibly rapid cycling Misdiagnosed with major depression for 15 years. Current meds: Lamictal (generic) 300 mg Wellbutrin (generic) 150 mg Effexor ER (generic) 300 mg Topomax (generic) 100 mg Klonopin (generic) as needed High-dose Vitamin D Previously taken: Abilify Depakote Pristiq Trazodone Taken when misdiagnosed with major depressive disorder: Prozac Lexapro Zoloft Paxil |
|
#6
Oct 14, 2015, 12:22 AM
|
|||
|
|||
|
If empathy is so important then they should be able to empathize their way into accommodating your capacities. It's up to you to be brave enough to state your limitations.
|
|
#7
Oct 14, 2015, 10:03 PM
|
||||
|
||||
|
Just be honest with your professor/advisor about your limitations and tell them you can provide documentation if necessary (they'll probably decline). Ask if you can help out for half of the event and make up the other hours on another day. Can you help with planning or follow-ups? I've had professors make an accommodation by having me write a short paper in exchange for being absent.
|
| Reply |
This is an old thread. You probably should not post your reply to it, as the original poster is unlikely to see it.|
|
My Support Forums is the online community that was originally begun as the Psych Central Forums in 2001. It now runs as an independent self-help support group community for mental health, personality, and psychological issues and is overseen by a group of dedicated, caring volunteers from around the world.
Linear Mode
