Health vs Academic life

ok so long story short - last year i had to take a semester out to spend time in inpatients. I went back to college and ever since i havent enjoyed it, i developed really bad anxiety and last semester (just before christmas) i gave up on my degree, i went through a severe depressive episode and couldnt do anything. Tutors were on my back looking for my assignments, and i was that tired i couldnt do anything. My psych told me to prioritize my health, but ive been that anxious i havent applied for college extensions, and im still getting emails. Im terrified of going back because im constantly finding it hard to balance my bipolar (newly diagnosed) and education especially when dealing with brain fog. I'd happily take another semester out but one group of friends have already graduated and i feel very far behind my peers. If anyone has any suggestions please let me know, I'd really appreciate it.

I would say don't worry about your peers. Take care of your health and if that means staying out another semester then that is what you need to do. Be gentle with yourself.

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Don't worry about doing things just because you have friends there or not.....if you go through life like this you will soon find that you're just following everyone else and you'll be dissatisfied with life in general.

Make a list of things to do. Include "email instructors" and then do it one by one. It can help to see all that you have to do and then feel a sense of accomplishment once you cross it off your list.

Put your health first. Take off a semester if you are struggling and can't handle school right now. good luck!

I second the above posters.
I graduated 4 years after the freshmen college class I started with finished. Whatever. It means nothing when you graduated. What matters is, if you want, it that you do?
I started graduate school at a local uni in my mid (leaning towards late) 30s. I even had a jerky psychiatrist tell me it was a bad idea at my age. Again whatever. I am pursuing a degree in something i want finally. So what if it took some time to get here or it takes me more time to finish.
Forget any time table that society or friends set. You take care of you. Taking care of you means first you take care of your health.
If you are in the USA, you need to register with your uni or college to get academic health and/or disability accommodations. They exist for a reason: to help you to do your best and not sacrifice health, safety, etc to do so.
Don't be afraid to email your instructors. They are human beings, putting on pants one leg at a time and all that.

Best wishes with whatever you decide is healthiest for you,
DW