[ssaturn]

How do you guys keep up with school work when you have depression or bipolar disorder?
I tend to have really long depressed episodes and when that happens I just don't have the energy or will to put any effort into school. And then when my manic episodes (or when I'm "ok") come I regret all the deadlines I missed or all the school work I couldn't complete. Problem is, for the past year or so I've been severely depressed and I haven't been able to put ANY effort into school. Most days I struggle to even get myself out of bed in the morning. How does everyone convince themselves to go to school? How do you deal with it??

[Fresia]

I suffered early on in life with major depressive episodes and then BP set-in. Tried to do school and was unsuccessful. It wasn't until I found the right combination of meds, which was the key and then in combination with DBT, that I learned how to function to where I could return to school with success. I cycle rapidly though and seasonally, so I have to keep a close eye on it. I am struggling now with a hypomanic phase but was mildly depressed last week. Have been in constant contact with the doc for med changes, to check in, and make sure it does not escalate further one way or the other. This is one way I deal with it keeping in touch with pdoc and T.

Depression plays tricks on the mind and the things it tells you are not always real. I have to decide that what I am consciously telling myself IS true and that I can help myself by putting one foot in front of the other. If that is all I can do today that is it. Then if I can do that, I'll try for something else, such as I'll make a call to the doc or T or read a page of my textbook or go over a page of notes. If I can, whatever happens from there happens; if not, I just couldn't do that then. Try for one thing in the next moment, make it a small task (so easier to do), if it happens, fantastic!; if not, you'll try something else in the next moment, and go from there.

Are you seeing someone now, T and /or pdoc or school counselor? That you can contact to tell them what is going on? Are you currently on any meds? If so, perhaps they just need to be adjusted or changed, talk to your provider to help you through this. You don't have to go it alone, there is help and just have to ask. Just take things one moment at a time and hang in there. Am thinking about in the meantime. Sending a very big hug.

[englishteacher]

During manic episodes, get ahead of the assigned work to help balance the depression days. Of course, if you have been depressed for a long time, you may just need to take a break until you are in a better place to continue school.

[AmaShel567]

I just have to push myself. I just keep the thought that if I go to school and get my education then I can do something with my life. Maybe things will be better. It's that drive for a better life that keeps me going to class. Plus I know that after I get off my parents insurance I'm gonna be in trouble when it comes to paying for my meds. Find something that motivates you to go even if you don't want to.

[venusss]

i think of the future which I don't want to screw up and push myself hard to do what I have to do.

My school has a policy of "only armageddon and your own death is excuse for not doing your work" (not officially, but you know such professors for sure).

[englishteacher]

I know many professors like that. It is extremely tempting to adopt that attitude after 10 years of hearing every excuse in the book - some valid, some sooooo obviously not. However, even those professors are human. Many of them tell the whole class there are no exceptions, but if you speak to the prof alone and explain the situation, he or she may bend those rules. I tell my students NO EXCEPTIONS - but I always make exceptions anyway. I just don't do it in front of lots of other students who will then come up with more excuses....