I know. Just getting out of bed feels like running five miles. Driving to school feels like a 10-hour road trip. Being at school feels like you're being thrown into a shark tank. Doing your homework feels like you're drowning. School is difficult for everyone, but it feels especially difficult for us. We're those who are told to just calm down. We're told to just pray about it, and we'll be cured. This is a mental illness. A disorder in my brain. This is not me being irrational or dramatic. This is real.
There are things we need to keep in mind about mental illness in general.
You're not crazy and you're not alone.
There are so many outlets to help you with your mental illness and with school. Focus on school, of course, but also focus on how you feel. Surround yourself with people who are constructive parts of your life. Cut out whoever tears you down. You have enough to deal with, and you absolutely can get through this. It's just more work for us.
Mental health is the most important.
Your mental health is more important than school. It doesn't seem like it right now, but it is. Your mental health will affect all aspects of your life as long as you will be alive. Your exams this week will not affect your life in five years. If it is 3:00 a.m, and you're having a panic attack over your open text book and study materials, put them away. Take a shower. Go to bed. Try again in the morning. You have to take care of yourself. That is the only way you're going to get through this.
Get help.
Again, if you have a legitimate disorder, you need help. There comes a point where you can't do it by yourself. Most schools offer accessible and free facilities on campus for you. Go to a doctor and tell them everything. Don't be afraid of medicine. Don't be afraid of therapy. Listen to their recommendations so that you can maybe hold yourself together a bit more.
Stay involved.
Staying involved with something constructive is so helpful. For me, I try to stay involved with theatre. That's an artistic outlet for me to distract myself and to allow me to be around people that help me. Maybe this outlet is sports, dance, a school organization or maybe even your job. You can't only do school. You have to take a break.
Know yourself.
Knowing how you work helps. I have anxiety and depression. Whenever I have a panic attack, I like to be near someone and spoken to. I need to take deep breaths and try to think about something nice and quiet. Knowing what you need to do is important for you and for those around you. Your friends, family, and your professors can help if they know how to.
I know that it's difficult just waking up, but honestly, I'm so proud of you for waking up today. Even if you just sat in bed all day and watched The Office in its entirety, you got through another day. That's something to celebrate. I know that it's difficult going to school, but I'm proud of you for going to class and sitting there and trying to absorb information. Sometimes that's all you can do.
Make sure you help yourself today.
