Surviving School And University With Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar and school or university! For some, it can be like oil and water; they just don't mix.

School and university is, without a doubt, an incredibly stressful thing for adolescents and young adults to live through. There are exams and deadlines, papers and presentations, early mornings and all-nighters. These years can be especially tough for those living with bipolar disorder. The stress of school can not only trigger urges to use drugs and alcohol, but it can also trigger other things such as the urge to self-injure and to over-work oneself, which can sometimes lead to severe depression or mania, hospitalizations, and even suicide.

Bipolar At School And University

For me, I began university at the same time as first being diagnosed with bipolar disorder, and I was a caffeine junky -- I had my fill of energy drinks and cigarettes. -- and it took me quite some time to learn effective coping strategies in order to do well. I was so obsessed with my school work and the idea of doing well as everyone else did so easily, or so I perceived, that I felt inferior to everyone else. I felt as if I was unable to read and comprehend things like others did, and that I couldn't keep up with the workload and have a social life at the same time. Everyone else seemed to be able to handle life, and I was spending my time just trying to get myself out of bed every morning.

Ways to Cope With Bipolar and School

• Remember to breathe. Every morning upon waking, take a second and sit on the side of the bed, and just take a few deep breathes. Remember that today is a new day. Throughout the day, pay attention to your breathing. Do you feel tense? Take a second to breathe deeply and calm your mind.
• Don't forget: you are not your peers. Even though it took me ages to believe this, I finally learned and believed that I am not like other people. No one is. Every person has their own work ethic, temperaments, and stress thresholds. All of us learn in different ways, and all of us have our own strengths and weaknesses. Sure, there are a few people out there who never have to study and can ace every exam, but most people are doing their own thing at their own pace.
• Most universities have disability services. Don't be afraid to go to their office and see what they have to say.
• Try to avoid excessive amounts of caffeine, alcohol, and cigarettes. A student's social life is very important during these years, of course, but before ordering another beer, remember that it's important to remember that alcohol and drugs can affect your moods and medications, as well as disrupt sleep.
• Make a detailed schedule. Even now, I find it very hard to make myself get up from my work and take some time out for myself. I find that it helps to create a schedule for the day of all of the tasks I need to complete within a given time frame, but I also force myself to schedule in breaks as well. Not only do you need breaks to recharge, but breaks also help you retain information.

How do all of you cope with bipolar disorder while in school? What have you found that works or doesn't work for you? What would you like to implement?

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