When we hear the word “sick” maybe the cold or flu come to mind, but it can mean a lot more to a young adult learning how to live away from home. Being “sick” can be heart break, anxiety, or even depression. The original support system for most is a family that lives in the same house or at least the same state as you.
Going away to college for me meant moving the farthest I have ever been from home. I had walked into a new life with no friends or family for at least a 10 hours driving distance. I am in my third year now and of course I have been sick, sad, and anxouis, but that was never enough to make me wish I was home. Until recently that is. Only a couple of weeks ago I had pressure head aches, stuffed nose, and loss of taste. That hadn't stopped me and I just learned to live with constantly blowing my nose and popping an advil.
One day my body had enough and I could feel everything as a painful weakness and my head felt as if it were a balloon filled with concrete. This soon led to me collapsing and I was unnable to walk. I had a raging fever and even when I had touched my skin it felt like I was playing with a lit stove. Unlike my skin, I was freezing. I could feel the furnace that I had created under my comforter, but I felt as if my organs were becoming solid ice.
Nonetheless, I was sick, and felt entirely alone. I had spent the night wishing for my Dad to come and help me and even caught myself chanting “please, help me” in the middle of the night. All I wanted was to be home in my old bedroom, with my parents down the hall, and my dog to love me.
I had learned a lot from the couple of days that came from that experience.
Take Care of Yourself!
Don’t ignore your body's cry for help, whether it’s a ongoing headache, generic cold symptoms, or just constant saddness and fatigue. Just admit you’re not okay!
Tell Someone!
This can be as simple as a friend to a doctor! My university, like many, supplies a staff of amazing nurses and nurse proctitioners who can either perscribe medication or guide you in the right direction. If its not a medical issue, still talk to anyone, don’t forget most schools provide trained proffessionals that you can talk to about anything ( I mean anything).
Don’t be Afraid To Ask for Help!
Telling someone is great and even getting the medication or directions on how to “get better” is a huge step. Waiting for the time to pass for your body to heal can be the worst part of the experience. Reach out to a friend or call a family member, there is no reason to go through anything alone! It is likley if you do reach out, you’ll get a care package or some snacks too.
Everything Will Be Okay!
This is all passing and if its small, like a cold, to something big, like being unable to get out of bed every morning, believe that all of the pain and feelings will one day end. Even though it may not be today, the present will soon be the past.
Feel better soon!
