Alerting Uni To The Fact I Have Ptsd

[Meadowsweet]

As someone else suggested, universities have counseling services. I think it would be better to introduce yourself there and tell them your concerns.

For me, at uni, it was quite nice for lecturers to view me as this capable, dedicated student, without knowing the struggles I had.

 

[CrazyHorse]

I am a capable, dedicated student, but also a student who has to live with PTSD. On top of that, I took care of my terminally ill father thorughout these final years at uni, and still managed to be at the top of my class. I am sure my professors saw me as dedicated student who was just facing some life challanges most students do not.

 

[Ice_Fire]

Thanks to everyone for your replies. I know I do need to tell someone, especially as I'm really struggling today. I am in therapy but it is not with the university counselling service, hence why the university don't know at all yet.

I want as few people to know as possible really, with the teachers just being aware that I am a dedicated student who may also at times be unable to perform as well as I should but there's a reason for it. First point of contact at my university is the personal tutor, so I think I shall have to bite the bullet and email him.

 

[Ice_Fire]

I sent him the email. He must have forwarded it because the reply was from the student support office asking me to go and meet with them. I'm scared but the lady who emailed had clearly tried to make the email seem as non-threatening and supportive. I have emailed her back with a good time for me, but I have no idea when I shall get a reply because the server went down.

She said that they would help to 'level the playing field' for me and make me 'experience at university successful and enjoyable'. Well, sounds good in theory!

 

[amethist]

Hi Ice_Fire.

I would run with the offer of support from the Student Support Office, but just tell them what you are comfortable with for now. Then as you build up a rapport with them, then you can tell them more if and when you wish to.

 

[Ice_Fire]

Okay, so I met up with the Student Support lady for my school on Friday and she was lovely. She explained that the university has systems in place for helping students and that she's glad I have told them now and not during the exam period, at which point it would be too late to do anything.

She asked me if I'd been triggered in class and I said about how in Philosophy, the examples they give are very triggering and far too close to home and that the point they are making could easily be made with a less upsetting example. She asked what the examples were used and I said about how one lecturer spoke about whether allowing a little boy to drown in the bath was better than actually submerging and drowning him deliberately. She just looked at me oddly, expecting an explanation I guess, but I didn't say any more.

She gave me a load of information about the disability services and told me to go to them and make an appointment, saying that she'd pointed me in their direction. So, I'm meeting someone at 5pm on Tuesday. I'm nervous.

 

[amethist]

Good for you.

Better to have support in place when you don't need it, than trying to figure out how to get it when you do.

 

[Ice_Fire]

The meeting on Tuesday went well, we spoke about some of the difficulties that PTSD brings and how best to lessen the stress. She was very helpful and didn't think I was making too much fuss or being pathetic or any of the other things I was feeling. I told her how I've missed a couple of lectures due to not sleeping and she told me that at the moment it's not something to get overly stressed about and that me getting some sleep is more important. Ironically, I've slept better and been on time ever since!

There was a range of adjustments that could be made and she decided on the following ones:

Potential to have coursework extensions if needed without having to talk to the professors about it- will be automatically granted if I request it basically.

Sitting exams in a smaller room, between 5-10 people instead of a few hundred.

Reduced attendance penalties, so I can miss the odd tutorial and not lose a grade, which is the norm at Ed

Access to the full lecture notes instead of the skeleton ones usually provided

Permission to record the lectures in case I have a flashback or dissociate and miss information. Sounds good in theory, but if I get triggered, listen to the recording, get triggered again, I'll still miss the information...

I'm also going to be assigned a 'mentor'- like my personal tutor but specifically for work management and stuff relating to how my head is doing.

I had to go and see my new GP because I need a letter to send to the head of PPLS (my department) to give the application for adjustments some medical credibility. Fair enough. GP is lovely, said the letter will be done before I meet with the disabilities office again next Friday. Phew!

 

[Alicej]

Wow, I wish I'd done this when I was at university! But back then I didn't even know that what I had was PTSD.

Don't forget that in the UK it is now a legal requirement for employers and providers of services such as educational establishments to make "reasonable adjustments" for people with disabilities. PTSD counts as a disability for this, so you are entitled to this sort of help, it doesn't just depend on how nice the tutors are.

Also your university union will have a welfare department who can help you deal with the uni if you ever need someone else to help with negotiating with them.

But for now it sounds like you will get some help and understanding, so good for you - well done for having the guts to ask for it! :)