Can't Schedule A Follow Up Appointment With Campus Therapist

[Joo]

im panicked and i dont know what to do. i went to my campus psych counselor because i had an anxiety attack during three of my classes and each of my profs told me that i need to seek therapy. so i went but i cant schedule in another follow up appointment because they are all booked. the next time they can see is literally the last day of classes and by then itll be too late.

ive been trying to do my homework for weeks but i either can't find the motivation or i panic and start crying. i know i needed counseling but know i waited too long and im facing the consequences of my actions now.

they were really understanding and i know the blame is on me for waiting this long to seek help. my professors have been urging me to go since october but now its may and finals are in two weeks and im so stressed i dont know what to do. ive spent the past few days in my room just crying. i skipped three classes and cant make up the work. ive had thoughts of dropping out but its so close to the end of the term that i know its unreasonable. i keep crying when im in class and cant concentrate on anything. ive been thinking of suicide and i know its wrong and i know i will never do it but everything is becoming too stressful i dont know what to do.

i know this is probably the wrong forum to post this on but im not registered in any other forums except this one im sorry. i just want help

 

[Kefira]

If your professors have been understanding so far, maybe you can talk to them and see if taking an incomplete would be an option. Since you are trying to get help, even if it's late in the game, and it's not working out there might be some room for that.

The counseling center might have some materials and be able to help you with some of your options too.

I had to take a couple incompletes and basically they don't give you a grade and give you a grace period to complete the work, assuming you can complete the work in that window it's not like there's anything negative or permanent on your record. If you identify the problem as certain assignments a really honest chat with your professors -"I just can't seem to get this paper written, but I think if I didn't have it I could finish the rest of the work and take the test. How much will my grade be reduced without it and would you be open to me taking a zero on that particular assignment and still passing me?" could be the best course of action.

Just my thoughts.

 

[Intrepid]

Anxiety stopped me from getting an MBA 3 times, a degree in psychology twice and kept me from seeking new employment for the last 4 years of not doing what I wanted. I just started a new degree program. I think I can do it this time. The anxiety is still there, but I have really found recover from the worst of it. In order to move forward I had to have a secure foundation. It took more work than I imagined to get that foundation.

Don't blame yourself for getting stuck. It sucks, but what you have to work with, if you are like me, won't change overnight. Bit if you stick to healing, it will be worth it in the long run, even if you screw up a few classes or jobs on the way.

 

[anonymous]

Since its the end of the semester, there's not much you can do besides make an individual appeal to each of your professors and explain your situation. Hopefully they will be understanding and possibly even give you extensions (incompletes) that can be finished over the summer.

In the USA you are protected by law, but you must have medical documentation (ie an official medical diagnosis by a psychiatrist) and be registered with disability services. It won't do you any good right now since its so close to the end of the semester, but at least you know what you must do for next year. Go to disability services, register with them, get the needed paperwork from your psychiatrist, and you will be protected by law and given the necessary, reasonable accommodations.

My recommendation is that you find an off campus psychiatrist AND therapist. Otherwise you're subjected to the limitations of your on campus therapy office which can create treatment issues. (And I don't think there are many campuses out there who have PTSD specialists given that most counseling centers don't really deal with the nitty gritty of such a severe disorder.)

But for now, break up your studying into small manageable bits. I am currently in school and taking a class which has triggering topics. It stinks as I have flashbacks and cry the whole time I'm studying, but it is what it is and I need to get through it somehow. My studying time has gone WAY up.....but at least it will be over in a few days. I'm actually procrastinating right now because I don't want to study that stuff...

 

[Friday]

Transcripts are changeable. Whether you take an F and retake the courses, or take an incomplete and retake the courses, or whether you take an F or an i and file for a medical withdrawal ... And retake the courses. :)

A bad quarter or semester is just that. 3 or 4 months that you need to repeat. Not the end of the world.

Can it be a pain in the ass? Absolutely. Especially if you lose your financial aid and have to pay for 1-2 quarters out of pocket before coming up off of academic suspension, instead of academic probation where you get to keep your aid. But all of these things are normal and expected in academic careers. People screw up, or have something come up, and need to put some things to rights. That's why your professors are very calm about it. They've not only (most likely) done it themselves as students, but they see it each and every quarter with their own students. This is a well travelled road. Lots of ways to navigate it. No need to throw the baby out with the bathwater.

 

[desiderata310]

I would also go back and talk to the counciling place and ask hoe to take advantage of emergency services. This is beginning to sound like it qualifies.

 

[Laurie McLaughlin]

Hi Joo -

I agree with FridayJones - And I know what it's like - when you are the one in the middle of a situation there seems no way out - what helps me is to see the bigger picture - sure it is bad to have to let go of those classes now - but you can retake them - definitely talk to your teachers and see what they say

Hope you are able to work things out with the school and find peace again

 

[Recovery4Me]

In some schools, depending on the circumstances, an "Incomplete" can be authorized to allow an extension of time. I would also suggest speaking to your financial aid official to see if an F would disrupt your loan (should you have one) &/or financial aide. At times, trying to get a low passable grade & to be placed on probation for academic status is better than just dropping and loosing the funds.

Tutoring is also a valuable option to consider on your late assignments and prior to your exam. Show up, be present and give it your best shot. Take the letter grade hit for a later exam after talking to your Professors and study hard. I worked with students all the time, most of us have. You may be afraid of failure and I hear you:hug: but it is NOT the same as actually failing. Don't give up!!!