need advice from the formites

@Owlunar Hey Dec and a big thank you. It was depressing when she said that but I wasnt surprised. She has hinted loudly about me not stressing myself in previous conversations but the thought of studying again actually puts a smile on my face when I think about it :).

To be able to study through so much grief Dec .... you have done so well :). Our lil band of formites are heroes I think. Love peaxxx

@Bunniekins It really is something you have to decide for yourself, personally studying at uni has been very helpful for me I didn’t think I could do it but I was careful and picked only subjects I actually enjoyed but for me there were many reasons for doing it and frankly while I have not been studying my mental health has been a lot worse. I am not going to say study hasn’t been exhausting and very stressful because it has and will be in the future but it gives you an opening into the rest of the world and by that I mean a place that isn’t filled with mental illness. I am not meaning to sound like mental illness is bad in that way but I think when you live with it constantly it can really suck you into it’s grips and having a place that has nothing to do with that can give you a lot of perspective. Also while exhausting studying is very good for your brain, I didn’t go back to uni at first because I thought I couldn’t think but now i think I couldn’t think a lot to do with the meds but also because I wasn’t giving my brain the chance to think. The wonderful thing about brains which I think often psych professionals forget to tell you is that they can be very adaptive and if given the chance you can re-learn things or make new pathways they don’t stay the same but they aren’t meant to they are supposed to take things up and let things go when they don’t need them anymore. They are supposed to shift and change a bit it is how we adapt to our environment. But that being said I do think you need to know why you are studying and make sure you have a goal with it otherwise it is har dot keep motivation.

That is a wonderful post @Eden1919

It's so encouraging to read - and well written as well - and I know your life is far from easy

And I studied through really tough times and agree that our brains are very adaptive and do change - and challenged with new ideas increases that ability

WTG Eden

Dec

Yes!!

Thanks Pea

I think I wave a banner for those continuing to study - and study whatever they choose - it has to be a big deal to go against the depressing suggestion that you might be lock away for trying to increase your education - as women once were

But the truth is it puts a smile on your face - I get it - I am grinning away thinking about it right now - doing my degree kept me going though the dark years of my life - I have the best of good memories at university - I wish you the same

Dec

Aw gee - you made my day

@Bunniekins

Yes my super sister @Bunniekins

I thought she would be ready to encourage you

Like pacing yourelf , including some me time

and to have a plan for the unexpected that might happen

I think it is great and we are here for you along the way xxxxx

@Eden1919 Hey Eden1919 I knew you would come out with a good argument 😄 yes I do have a goal in mind. Several infact which is why I want this so bad. I want to work in one of the fields where this degree could lead me. It is challenging but I feelup to it. Plus I need to do more than what I have been doing. I have decided I need the meds (unfortunately) to keep my mind on the straight and narrow path of sanity. I totally respect you and your reasons for not taking any I just wish that was an available option for me. Love peaxx

@Owlunar Dec I agree women should be celebrated taking on studies when they have an mi not discouraged from taking it on like the bad old days particularly by women pdocs and psychs. Again thank you for your positive response i really appreciate all the well wishes I have received from my formite friends.xx

@Shaz51 My wonderful sister Shaz51 :D you would think she would but maybe she knows my mind is too much like confetti ...... I will try. I have max of 10 years to complete it. It is a big degree. I know I can do it with my formite friends with me.xxxxLove you. pea:)

maybe she thinks it might be too much for you @Bunniekins

BUT i think it is worth trying xxxxxxx

my step D! is doing a career change and studying to be a teacher , she had inherited depression like her dad , mr shaz

but she is getting there , soo proud of her

and I am proud of you my sister xx

my sister 🙂

@Bunniekins I totally disagree that study is tricky with a mental illness - especially when it is managed and you know yourself. Saying that pidgeon-holes people with a mental illness as incapable of leading a life that they choose. With the right support - whether that is with meds, people around you to help/encourage and also knowing your own capabilities is crucial. I have lived with mentai illness most of my life but in between have achieved 2 degrees, a graduate diploma and a TAFE qualification - the latter 2 I did in the same year. It is not always easy studying whether you have a Mi or not - life sometimes gets in the way - so you can never foresee what is to come. But what you can do is pursue your dreams and if one of those is studying to get to where you want to be then go for it little pea. As you have said you have time for the meds to hopefully stabilise you a little more before the course starts ...and you also have a grace period when it does start that you can defer or pull out altogether if it is not working for you. But you will never know if you don't take the chance - do not let anyone (especially your pdoc) deter you from udertakig what you want to do ...and quite frankly your pdoc should be encouraging you rather than making veil threats - grrr! You deserve to live the life you choose and if study is a means to an end in where you want to go and what you want to do then that is what you should do. There is also no shame if it falls through or you cannot cope when you begin - but you will never know if you are ready unless you give it a go.