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Studying

LearningContributor

Studying

Hi ..I have Schizoaffective disorder and recently started a degree. I didn't cope as well as I had hoped I might and was interested in hearing other peoples coping mechanisms. I have my heart set on this degree and need to find a way to better manage my mood, anxiety, depresion and stress. I have moments, sometimes days where I feel much more capable and motivated. I'm looking for a way to hold onto that and make it my norm. When I have those times I think I am recovering. When it all falls apart I question if I was just manic or a bit higher than what is normal. I don't know what normal is anymore. Anyone reading this made a full recovery from Schizoaffective Disorder or managed their symptoms enough to study/work they way they want to? I would love to hear from you. I've had some success with therapy and medication and am very grateful to be doing much better than before. I just need to do alot better than I am now to manage this degree/ employment and relationships. Thanks in advance.

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In response to: Studying

Zoe7Senior Contributor

Re: Studying

Hi @Learning I can't help with this one but I just wanted to welcome you to the forum.

It is great that you have had some success with therapy and medication. I think you have already crossed the first hurdle for study and that is it is something that you are really motivated to do and this degree is what you have your heart set on. Use that as your continued motivation and inspiration to help in the times that are 'less than ideal'. It won't stop the 'down' times but it certainly will aide in how quickly you can pick yourself up again.

As for normal - who does know what that is! LOL

We can only do the best we can with what we have - no more, no less - but we can also strive for something better - and you are already doing that - so you have already 'won' in my books

I am sure there are others on here that may be able to share similar experiences with you - but in the meantime have a look around the forum - try searching in the search bar towards the top of this page using specific words - and if you have any questions just ask. You are welcome to tag me in at any time (@Zoe7) even if it is just for a chat.

Again @Learning welcome to the forum and I hope you find what you are looking for here

In response to: Re: Studying

Unknown userMember

Re: Studying

Hi @Learning
Welcome to the forums! i have found studying to help me so much in the past in focussing on something other than myself or situations that i couldnt control. I completed my masters a few years ago. I definitely think getting into a really kind of strict schedule of study helped and rewarding myself for it too in a way. I.e. i woud buy a series of some tv show that i liked and would watch one episode after a certain amount of time of study. It did get hard when things were ... bad and my anxiety and perfectionistic silliness would cause me some ... difficulty ... in getting started on things because i'd be so scared i wouldnt be able to do it well enough that i'd panic and not start, then of course it would be even worse when i had less time and had to get it done!
I had to get very realistic in how much i could study as well. I had a newborn baby and a toddler when i started it and some other stuff going on, and some minor work commitments still at the time and tried doing 3 subjects the first semester! Was not a good idea... for me I had to realise that i could only cope with one subject a semester most of the time... and talk myself out of feeling like i wasnt good enough/ a failure etc.
Not sure if any of this helps! But welcome and hope that you find the forums helpful!!!

In response to: Studying

LearningContributor

Re: Studying

Hey Zoe7, Thanks for welcoming me to the forums. I'm so wrapped you responded. 🙂 You be so nice. I will definately tag you in for a chat in the not to distant future (when I learn how to!?!)..lol..I think that is my first question to you. How does one tag someone in pls?

In response to: Re: Studying

Zoe7Senior Contributor

Re: Studying

Hi @Learning If you type in the @ symbol followed by the 'name' of the person then that name should come up in a drop box and you click on that name and it will be highlighted just as your name is above. Does that make sense? lol

In response to: Studying

LearningContributor

Re: Studying

Hey Lisajane, You are amazing! :)....Congrats on completing tour Masters. Inspirational stuff.
I totally relate to the panic and perfectionism...great tips for staying focused thanks. ..I can relate to the positive aspects too...the shift of focus..it's like a form of mindfulness. Feeling hopeful. Thanks 🙂

In response to: Studying

LearningContributor

Re: Studying

Like this @Zoe7

In response to: Re: Studying

Zoe7Senior Contributor

Re: Studying

You got it @Learning

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