Studying with PTSD - Has Anyone Been Successful?

[LeeAU]

Hey, just a quick question. Has anyone here successfully studied with PTSD?

I'll be sitting the UMAT (Undergraduate Medicine and science Admission Test) test in a couple of months, and if I receive a high enough score I'd like to become an undergraduate in med school. This in turn, would hopefully open up the doors for me to get a Bach. in Medicine and Surgery.

I'm just after advice of how people worked through their PTSD while studying.

 

[anthony]

You just need to read some of the stories in the [DLMURL="http://www.ptsdforum.org/forum39.html"]PTSD success forum[/DLMURL], as it contains the exact answers your looking for.

 

[lrs]

It can be done, I promise you. I attended pharmacy school and graduated in 1988. Back then prepharmacy required calculus, organic chemistry, calculus, physics, microbiology, and more. Pharmacy school had subjects like biochemistry, pathophysiology, pharmacology, compounding, pharmacokinetics, pharmacy math, pharmacy law, on and on.
In those days, I knew something was wrong with me, I even went to see counselors at school, nobody knew what it was. Since something was wrong, I didn't think I could make it in this world without some kind of degree. Pharmacy school is rough, a lot of memorization. My ability to concentrate was pretty poor, when I would sit and try to study, my mind had a tendency to wander. I remember devising ways to help study. I would tape lectures, then type them when I got home. I remember studying pharmacology, I would draw anatomical diagrams, and then routing various biochemical pathways, ALL IN DIFFERENT COLORS.
I remember studying late at night every night, and on weekends, I would start at 6am Saturday morning. I would study to the best of my ability until about midnight, then do the same on Sunday.
I believe things would be different now. The study of PTSD has progressed light years ahead of where it was. In addition, dr's can prescribe meds that can help, and most importantly, the counseling center at your college can work with you on developing good, and constructive study habits.
You CAN do this!!!

 

[Acer]

I am currently a grad student and found out I have PTSD because I had such a hard time studying and retaining or retrieving the information I needed after reading a book for class at least once if not more and even taking copious notes. Originally I thought it was ADhD without the hyperactivity, but the meds didn't work. I am in my 3rd quarter now and it hasn't gotten any easier though I have grown more familiar with the program I am in, what I need to do and what is expected of me. For me this has been the most difficult thing. Others may find the success stories spread around but for me I feel like I am treading water at all times regarding school, studying and retention or retrieval of information. I am told this is because I am so busy paying attention to everything else (hypervigilince) that I am not really attentive to the studies.

My advice? Keep a calendar, stick to it. Reward yourself with what you love to do (play video games, read a favorite novel, hike, whatever) but only AFTER you have done X amount of studying. I don't know what your study load is like, but mine is mostly reading tons of stuff and writing papers about it as well as engaging in very intense classroom discussions about it (with prepared page notes about it, etc). Because I have to integrate what I read into writing and then utilize that knowledge in 'seminar' format with deep discussions and analysis with fellow students and teachers, the pressure feels very heavy. And, I simply can't read that fast AND hope to retain it all, or most of it, or a lot of it. So far I rely on what other students are saying about the material to kind of understand what it is about because by that time, I am lucky to have just got through the reading and the paper.

 

[Lisa]

With difficulty... for me, I am on a constant tightrope. The biggest thing I find is keeping everything as constant as possible and avoiding any extra stress in life... hard as life isn't predictable. I have just about managed to get through 3 years of my degree... Im in my third year now, and have recently decided to suspend studies and come back next year and try again. The first 2 years were hard... but I managed -just about at times. But this year I had a series of life stresses, and it really took it's toll. So now I will be at uni for a fourth year. One of those things... it was the right choice for me though.

Working through PTSD AND studying is much harder than trying to keep PTSD at bay AND study... because working through PTSD usually means getting a lot worse at times. I've had to do this too... and still am... there were times when it was like I had to choose to complete an assignment, or work through a bit of trauma... my therapist has had to be patient... easing off the hard stuff at times so I have a chance to study, and then going through the hard stuff in the earlier part of the next deadline...

But it's not impossible. It can be done... I've got so far... and the only reason I dropped out this year was because I had a series of life events stop me in my tracks on top of everything else. It's just harder for someone with PTSD than it would be for someone without it. Acer's advice is close to what I would say too....

And routine. Routine is so important... plan ahead, plan down days, and know where you are study-wise all the time - else you get behind and it's even harder. Because unfortunately, for me, I simply can't have a simple year... I have my bad weeks and good weeks. I try and take advantage of a good week and study as much as possible to get ahead- because I know there's a high chance at some point I'll need that time.

Getting support from the university has REALLY helped me too... they shift around my deadlines for me as much as possible when I need it, and as in the case of last year, they even shifted exams... I sat some exams in August and some in the May in order to complete the year. I can't tell you the value of having those allowances... if hadn't have had those I wouldn't have made it past last year, let alone get to May this year only to drop out...

Eventually, I'll get there. I hope it goes smoother for you - but if it doesn't... you'll get there eventually too.

 

[madjon]

it can be done, just finished a degree in archaeology,
useful things to consider,
accomadation, being in student digs or in a house with students sounds like fun but the constant noise can drive you barmy after a while, avoid too much socialising, it can seriously wear you down,
routines are good, as well as getting to know the local area you are in, stress from exams study and such like can be a big pain at times but there is plenty of help in most modern universitys, the other one is quiet space which is almost essential, dont fall into bad ways in the first year, hanging around with people and trying to socialise is good but too much and you fall behind on work,
one thing to think about though is there will be times of being hacked off with study, its good to take a break from what your doing for a while to let your head clear so you can come back to it, another useful thing is a bit of software, claro read, can just sit and let it read back through what you have written, good for checking everything makes sense etc,
the other one is sleep and rest, these are two essentials you shouldnt go without, the other one is good food, med students like to have a wild time of it, dont try to keep up with them, and dont fall for the usual student bad habits, doesnt mean dont have fun, it just means you will get worn out quicker and take far longer to recover from something they will brush off in a day, see what plans and help is available from your uni and what support they offer, and go for it, you may not need it right away but knowing whats available is good, another thing dont get put off, go for it and persevere.

 

[Lucky Laser]

I went on beyond college to get an MS in Cellular and Integrative Physiology and am now in my 3rd year of medical school... so yes, it can be done! My biggest hurdle PTSD-wise was that up until I started medical school, I didn't even recognize that PTSD was part of my problem. I tried a few medications and they didn't really help.

What helped me the most was learning to identify what I was feeling and then when my feelings were not helpful to me to remember what I was in school for and to try and keep focused on that. Even though I didn't have things figured out, I still made sure to take time for healthy things like relaxation and exercise. If these didn't work, I did see a counselor here and there and there and that helped too.

My advice to anyone trying to accomplish anything with PTSD on board is to take time to take care of yourself and have a positive attitude. Don't let yourself get bogged down by unhelpful feelings... if you feel them coming on, take a time out and actively seek to make things better.

 

[lrs]

Sometimes I think having PTSD was beneficial, in an odd sort of way. It made studying difficult. And I was a nervous wreck.
I knew I was not a normal, well-adjusted person. I knew I would have to somehow claw my way into being a productive member of society, but at that time, I did not think I could make it unless I had some kind of major card up my sleeve.
I don't know if I would have stuck with it the way I did had things been different.

 

[reallydown]

It can be done...though it's hellish at times. I just finished up my degree and even have a half-decent GPA. My biggest issues were focus problems, hypevigilance and sometimes getitng triggered by course material. Luckily the uni helped out and the profs were very understanding. One thing I'd say is...if possible, try to get ptsd under control as much as you can...bu tthen, at times (on those rare occasions when I could focus well), I found school to be a good escape...so it kept me sane even as it drove me nuts. But...if you're thinking of doing grad school...might be best to wait with the undergrad until you can control ptsd better...otherwise it could mess you up (gpa-wise etc) for grad school...Just something to think about. Good luck.

 

[LeeAU]

Thanks guys,

Even hearing about other stories does help. I'll admit that one day, I want to actually have a bach. of medicine and surgery under my belt, become a doctor, and be in a position to help people.

Irs, Acer, Lisa, MadJon, reallydown, and Lucky Laser, thanks for your input. Just by reading things, I've read things a couple of times here, and I'm trying to take it in a bit more.