Ptsd And School

[Samantha_38]

I'm having a very hard time these first couple weeks of this semester trying to get into my schoolwork. I want to do good, and just study, but all I can think about is my life. I can't concentrate when I try to read. The only homework that seems to even maybe keep me busy is Chemistry, and even then its only when I'm doing math calculations for chemistry. I just want to be able to think again, especially read without drifting away from my brain and then suddenly coming back to realize I've just read 5 pages without comprehending, or even remembering, any of it. I don't know whether to blame this on the PTSD, or the fact that I am a senior and ready to be done, but any suggestions would be welcomed. Thanks.

 

[Lady of Longbourn]

From what I have read of you so far it seems like you are going through a lot right now and that everything seems to be opening for you all at once. Have you thought of taking some time off school until things become more manageable?

I took a year off and the difference in my mental health is astounding.

 

[Ryn]

Hi Samantha. I'm a student as well and so I know how frustrating this can be! I'm sure it's different for everyone but here are a couple things that have been helping me this semester so far.

1. Does your school offer any sort of disability services program? I was hesitant at first to get registered, and just forced myself through last semester like any normal student, but I've finally gotten in touch with them and I'm really glad I did. For me they offer lots of options for anxiety-ridden students (time-and-a-half for test-taking, alternate testing room, other students volunteering to take notes for you if you can't focus, etc) as well as a few things that are specifically helpful for my PTSD - for instance, I can occasionally ask for a grace period of one day for assignments if I am unexpectedly struggling with flashbacks, etc. the night before and just can't get it done. I haven't used any of these yet, and I'm sure I won't use them often if at all, but it is REALLY nice to know I have those options in case things get really bad.

2. Change of scenery. This might just be me. I tend to isolate in my room or the library when I study and eventually I just zone out and can't do it anymore (and want to go to sleep, lol). A trip to a coffee shop to do homework or even just taking a walk while reading can be massively helpful for me. I find that when I change my environment frequently it wakes up my brain and redirects it.

3. Journaling. If your thoughts are swirling and you can't get them out, try just writing them out and getting them out of there.

4. Cleaning, exercise, self-care. My mood and focus tends to be much improved if my room is clean, my bed is made, I'm showered and ready to go. Also, doing some manual task like organizing, vacuuming, etc. for a study break keeps my body occupied and gives my mind a break.

5. Nutrition. Again, might just be me. I know I'm frequently dehydrated, the things I eat are not giving me energy, and the caffeine/sugar high from that coffee an hour ago is doing nothing to calm my shakes and my nerves.

As far as concentration while reading and such, I gotta say I'm in the same boat. :P You can try reading aloud, underlining/following your place with a pencil... That's a tough one.
Because you're a senior, your options might be more limited, but I am taking close to the minimum as far as units go and I am SO glad I dropped the extra units I had originally planned to take. I initially beat myself up about doing so, but I am really grateful I went with my gut. There is no way I could have handled another two classes' worth of work right now.

This post is a bit of a ramble, sorry - hope there's something in there that might help.

 

[macca]

This may not be an option for you, but I wonder if they would let you do your senior part-time? If you thought that would work for you that is. My son did that in the past year or so due to a medical condition, but I'm guessing it won't be an option everywhere.

 

[arfie]

Multi-tasking helps me with those concentration issues. Especially for the intense reading subjects. I leave the study materials out, in a central location and pause to work in smaller doses while I go about other tasks. A bit before my shower. A bit while I comb my hair. Etc., etc.

 

[Samantha_38]

From what I have read of you so far it seems like you are going through a lot right now and that everything seems to be opening for you all at once.

It has definitely been all at once. I've found that once I started opening up, it was truly what I needed, because it just keeps getting easier every time. It has been a little overwhelming, but at the same time I've been feeling pretty good about it.

@Ryn - Some of your ideas are great, and I know they would help. Some of them won't work. I also have 2 jobs and 2 kids, so time is an issue. I am taking 19 credits (I'm guessing you call these "units" where you are from). That's 5 classes, plus a 25-30 hours a week of clinical. Before all of this opening up, I coped by keeping very busy. I found the busier I was the less problems I had. That doesn't seem to be working as well anymore.

I wonder if they would let you do your senior part-time?

Unfortunately, part-time, taking a year off are all not going to work. Although you are all right, I could definitely use it! My major is clinical based, so its very rigid and we stick to a very strict course schedule. If I fail a course, or just don't take one, I would have to wait an entire year to take it with the next class. If my instructors even allowed this, which they usually don't. The other problem here is that since I got a 2 year degree before now trying to get my 4 year, I have reached the max number of credits for federal loans. Any more semesters I do, I will not be able to get loans, and I definitely can't afford it without these. At most schools around here at least, if you don't drop the class the first week you still end up paying for it, so there's really no way to get around that hassle.

Multi-tasking helps me with those concentration issues. Especially for the intense reading subjects. I leave the study materials out, in a central location and pause to work in smaller doses while I go about other tasks..

This seems like something I could definitely try. I'm typically needing to multi-task anyways, but usually if its getting too crazy I just give up on the homework for as long as it takes me to get a complete task done, and then go back. It may be a better idea to split larger tasks up even more and then study in the middle.

Thanks everyone!

 

[NicG]

Samantha, I definitely feel your pain!! Over the last year my brain would have had me staring at a blank wall for 3 hours rather than doing an assignment or piece of homework that should have taken 30 minutes. I'm a chemistry/science student too so I get how hard it is to keep up when you can't focus exactly when you need to.

About multi-tasking... something I figured out when studying for finals last year was that if I have something next to me that keeps me calm (sewing, drawing, a funny Youtube video) and I alternated between 10 minutes of calming activity, 10 minutes of cramming, I stayed MUCH more calm. Also if you feel a panic attack coming on and try to just power through it... bad idea. As counter-intuitive as it seems, it's better to go turn your brain off for an hour and come back to it than wipe out your entire day by letting panic get the best of you.... panic is EXHAUSTING!!

Hoping you find some good options to get through your studies and good on you for not giving up!! That's a bigger achievement than people think!!

 

[e.riley13]

I'm trying to get the strength to go to classes. I feel guilty for not going to classes. And it makes me depressed so I don't go to class. And then I feel more guilty which makes me more depressed and so on. It's a bad cycle and I'm not doing well with getting out of it.