Suggestions For Student With Ptsd

[MyStarryNight]

Hey everyone, I'm having a really hard time with college work right now. I'm an online student so I don't have to worry about classroom stuff or possible triggers there. But I'm having an incredibly hard time concentrating enough to read and to take long exams. I'm dissociating a lot right now and it's rendering me pretty dysfunctional on some days. I was wondering for those of you who are or have been in school if you had any suggestions that might help me deal with the dissociation and the concentration problems?

 

[Meadowsweet]

I've been a student, although I don't have exams in which I have to remember things. Most of my work is writing essays.

So I can't help with memory (I'm pretty bad with remembering facts). But when I'm reading text books. I write the book title etc at the top of my notebook. Then I read through making notes of useful quotes (with page reference), or summarising in a couple of sentences what has been said.

When my concentration is gone and I find I'm reading words, but not taking anything in, I stop for a while. So I usually end up doing just ten minutes, then going back an hour later and doing another ten minutes.

When a deadline is nearly up, I zone out and my focus is singularly on the essay. I don't think thats a particularly good thing, it happens automatically, and we are all different.

 

[cherryblossom]

Just reading is hard. It's easy to get distracted, and not take in what you are reading.

If you have problems concentrating, then you need to be doing something, like taking notes, while you are reading (as Meadowsweet has suggested). The other thing that I have found helpful is to turn what you read into short questions and answers. I used to write mine on flashcards, one question and answer per card. But I suppose that could depend on what you are studying, as to whether that is possible.

Physically writing things down helps me as well. I find just reading too 'passive', and writing on a computer not creative enough. Writing things out, using different colours to highlight different things, or the way I set things out - that helps me to remember. Being able to visualise my page of hand written notes helps me to remember so much more, than just reading.

Also, take regular breaks. If you find yourself distracted, allow yourself some time out. And reward yourself, and plan it. So if I get to the end of this, and write decent notes, I will sit down with a cuppa and watch my favourite show for half an hour, or go for a walk, or whatever works for you.

Good luck, and don't give up! :D

 

[EloiseLandau]

One of my profs said if you can't concentrate on what you're doing, come back and do it again.
And when you've read it and thought about it while reading it, draw a picture of what you read (like a diagram) to explain what you did. Pics may be easier than just writing, because if you can't draw it, you don't get it.

So what is everyone studying anyway?

 

[No one]

Just wanted to say I know how you are feeling. I am attempting to get through college, but I am actually living on campus. Not only that, but an Aeronautical Engineering major. I am finding paying attention in the large rooms to be difficult. My exams aren't going well not that math and science ones anyway. The written exams I am okay on because I can explain things in enough detail where I usually do okay. I don't want to give up on the opportunity, but I really don't know what to do. I have been having trouble because I never had a goal in life except to survive until I was 18 and now that I am almost turning 19 I feel lost.

 

[EloiseLandau]

On campus classes should have offices for medically verifiable disabled students to utilise services such as someone who can take notes during lectures and exams available in larger fonts if necessary.

Online might have services available as well, including the possibility of alternate testing accommodations.

 

[No one]

Yea I have had issues with them not thinking PTSD is a disability to give me services.Also because \

 

[Girl3]

Hey everyone, I'm having a really hard time with college work right now. I'm an online student so I don't have to worry about classroom stuff or possible triggers there. But I'm having an incredibly hard time concentrating enough to read and to take long exams. I'm dissociating a lot right now and it's rendering me pretty dysfunctional on some days. I was wondering for those of you who are or have been in school if you had any suggestions that might help me deal with the dissociation and the concentration problems?

After two college degrees and medical school I think I can help a little. Do not study where you can be triggered easily: if being around people makes you nervous, or having to walk home from the library leaves you terrified - find a quietr, safer spot. Or if being alone is the problem, go where there are non-triggering people.

Break every 30 minutes for a quick excercise break. Concentrating uses up acetylcholine in the brain. Physical excercising replenishes acetylcholine within 10 minutes. In medical school I used to put my notes on index cards which I then threaded onto a metal ring. I would go for my eight mile run with my note cards on the rings and study while I ran.

Listening to Mozart and Brahms while I studied also helped calm my frantic brain. There are only so many things the brain can do at one time. Classical music is complex, has no words to "lock" onto and it has been shown in college students to improve studying for tests.

There should be help for you. But I will say that one of my professors at Yale who was a psychologist was not sympathetic after I got out of the hospital from the grad student nearly beating me to death. He didn't want to let me make up the final exam, but was forced to because of college rules and my college Master intervening.

Good luck, good studying, be well.

 

[bethinhfx]

I am struggling now with motivation. I feel too overwhelmed to go to school. I feel very vulnerable right now. I have ADD and have some accommodations and I am struggling with people not thinking I have ADD and aggressive teachers BUT my big issue is that I am coming out of denial about sexual abuse in my family-- and I mean really coming out of denial. I have been in shock for 1 week. I have counselling set up but how am I supposed to care about school etc., when everything else is falling apart? I just don't care right now! So, if you don't care; I can relate! beth

 

[MyStarryNight]

Thank you all for your amazing suggestions. I'm starting some new classes in a couple of weeks and am going to put them to use.

Bethinhfx I'm sorry you're doing so bad right now. I'm always here if you need to chat.

 

[Eleanor]

@bethinhfx - sometimes school has to take second priority. Check out the deadlines for withdrawing and make an assessment when you get close about what is most "up" for you - healing from the trauma has to take first priority. We all have our limits - and doing that AND school is well beyond any reasonable limit. Take care of yourself. School will always be there next semester, and sometimes stopping out for a semester or two is the absolute best thing to do. Take care of yourself.

 

[bethinhfx]

@ eleanor: Its incredible but I have been in a crisis for a long time and have received NO help. I went to the hospital last night and this afternoon clearly in distress, asking for help and received none. The way the psychiatrist spoke to me was unbelievable. Its like people don't believe me....

I am the one who is coming out of denial; who has been in shock; and her tone was, "you mean after all of this time you just remembered?", " what triggered you, there had to be a trigger?". I ended the conversation but not before she made it clear that if I was an impatient that we would be talking about meds. It was f*cking unbelievable. I ended the conversation. Yet, I am the one who is grief stricken; heart broken; sad; in shock; numb and I am having to explain myself and people are acting like I am making it up.

I am going back to school to finish up the term. How in the hell do I heal the trauma? I had 3 conversations with a counsellor at Christian counselling whilst this was going on and an appointment with a psychologist and I could feel my disassociation...the psychologist was ok but it was my second opinion and we went talking about sexual abuse and she kept bringing the focus back to other stuff and it felt disrespectful. The counsellor at Christian counselling agreed to see me April 6-- its unbelievable.

My mother participated in my sexual abuse in a covert way, as far as I can remember. I am just coming out of denial about this after 27 years and I got no help from anyone. What about all of the junkies, prostitutes and girls who have offered themselves; where is the recovery?

I am shocked and I actually yelled at a crisis worker today on the phone. Mmmmhhh, awwww she said. f*ck off. This isn't a " poor you" moment. This is a I am a strong beautiful talented women who is struggling with some devastating info who needs a little bit of compassion and expertize to get her through to the other side, and guess what---aint none there and its not the first time. Unbelievable!!!

Back to school and hopefully I will be able to develop a trusting relationship and some support if more shocking realizations come forth. Thanks. beth

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