Mental Illness: From the eyes of a college student

My name is Shannon and I am a Senior at St. John Fisher College. I am a college student living with the weight of mental illness on my shoulders. I know first hand what it feels like to feel so incredibly helpless that the motivation to even get out of bed in the morning is gone. I know first hand what it feels like to wholeheartedly not want to wake up in the morning. I also know what it feels like to overcome this debilitating state and become a better person because of it. I know that there are millions of other college students out there who have felt or are feeling the same way, and to them I say you are not alone. You are never alone. There are also millions of other college students, faculty, staff, and parents who do not understand how common mental illness is in the college setting and what they do know of it is based off of stereotypes and stigmas.The point of this blog is exactly that; to raise awareness of mental illness through a student who is surviving it, and to not only help others understand how to deal with it and understand it but to show support to others that feel the same way. I would love to hear your input on my blogs and your own stories as well! So please feel free to comment and share my blog with others as you please!

[shankayy]

Let's Stop the Stigma.

Throughout this blog we have discussed many different mental disorders that have bad reputations associated with them. The stigma those with mental illness are labeled with is one that judgmental, hurtful and ignorant. It is up to us, our generation, to stop this use of stigma when it comes to mental illness. We need to get out there and tell, no, shout out to the world that although people may suffer from mental illness, they are not freaks.

Mental illness does not make me less qualified to work, go to school, or even love. While I may have to face challenges in my life that others do not, does not mean that I am any less of a person. I am proud of where I have come in my life and I am more than happy to share my story with anyone who wants to hear it. The kind of world where everyone who suffers from mental health issues feel this way is the sort of world that I am aiming to create.

Want to read more? Check out my academic blog on wordpress!

http://nomorestigmakula.wordpress.com/

[shankayy]

Self love

Figure out what it is YOU need.

No more of these “what can I do to make them happy?” scenarios. You have needs that need to be met just as much as every other person and you should not rely on others to fulfill these needs. Figure out what it is that you need to move on and move on. May it be taking a break from everything, maybe a nice day of pampering, or even seeking professional help. Do some self-reflection and really look at yourself. Face the demons inside of you and figure out the next step. 

Take days off.

This is something that I also have an issue with doing. The only way to be able to complete any responsibilities that you may have you must be mentally healthy. This will require rest and maybe even taking a break from the world. Take those days of for “me” time and make them a priority.

NO self-shaming.

You are beautiful inside and out- no matter what others are telling you. Do not let the media or family and friends tell you that you are not perfect and don’t let yourself do it either! Be confident in that beautiful body of yours and FLAUNT IT.

Forgive yourself.

The worst person in the world to disappoint is you. If you have inner demons that you are fighting and cannot forgive yourself for something you have done in your past, let it go. People will forgive you. Time will heal the wounds that you may have made. But there is no road to recovery if you cannot find it within to forgive yourself. It will all be okay in the end; if it’s not okay it’s not the end, right?

Want to read more? Check out my academic blog on wordpress!

http://nomorestigmakula.wordpress.com/

[shankayy]

Fighting Stereotypes

Throughout college you will meet so many different people with different attitudes and beliefs than your own. Embracing diversity is a key factor in college success and every student should be open and willing to learn more about other cultures, people and beliefs. The problem with today’s society is that it is highly driven by social stereotypes that don’t give a person the chance to let them true selves show because others are blinded by the stereotype you are labeled with. The stereotypes that come along with mental illness are harsh and hurtful; words such as freak, loser, crazy or weirdo. These stereotypes help enforce negative thoughts within ourselves and make our road to recovery even harder. The only way to stop the judgment is to take matters into your own hands! Leading the way our generation can stop the use of stereotypes on college campuses and here are some ideas on how to do it!

Want to read more? Check out my academic blog on wordpress!

http://nomorestigmakula.wordpress.com/

[shankayy]

Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar disorder is a disorder with one of the most inaccurate perceptions by the general community.  Many people think that being bipolar means that a person is “moody.” I mean, you’re not wrong, but you are also not right. Bipolar disorder is a very debilitating disorder especially for those young adults trying to get through college.

Bipolar disorder has two different phases. These phases include manic episodes followed by a depressive episode. Now these episodes are not just quick little 20 minute episodes that are done and over with, they go over the course of a long period of time, even months. A manic episode is identified as a period of time where the person is in “fast forward” mode. A person in in a manic episode can look like someone who just drank 5 red bulls in a row, except they do not crash. They do not need sleep and are always on the move, and their minds are taken over by grandiose ideas of themselves and what they are capable of. I know, being manic does not sound half bad does it? But in the contrary a manic episode can drive a person insane. The following is a quote from David Lovelace, a writer about manic depression:

“Depression is a painfully slow, crashing death. Mania is the other extreme, a wild roller coaster run off its tracks, an eight ball of coke cut with speed. It’s fun and it’s frightening as hell”

Want to read more ? Check out my academic blog on wordpress!

http://nomorestigmakula.wordpress.com/

[shankayy]

Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar disorder is a disorder with one of the most inaccurate perceptions by the general community.  Many people think that being bipolar means that a person is “moody.” I mean, you’re not wrong, but you are also not right. Bipolar disorder is a very debilitating disorder especially for those young adults trying to get through college.

Bipolar disorder has two different phases. These phases include manic episodes followed by a depressive episode. Now these episodes are not just quick little 20 minute episodes that are done and over with, they go over the course of a long period of time, even months. A manic episode is identified as a period of time where the person is in “fast forward” mode. A person in in a manic episode can look like someone who just drank 5 red bulls in a row, except they do not crash. They do not need sleep and are always on the move, and their minds are taken over by grandiose ideas of themselves and what they are capable of. I know, being manic does not sound half bad does it? But in the contrary a manic episode can drive a person insane. The following is a quote from David Lovelace, a writer about manic depression:

“Depression is a painfully slow, crashing death. Mania is the other extreme, a wild roller coaster run off its tracks, an eight ball of coke cut with speed. It’s fun and it’s frightening as hell”

[shankayy]

Combatting Social Anxiety

College is a time to come out of your shell and try the things that you have always wanted to try. For those with social anxiety this is much harder than it sounds. But just because you suffer from social phobia does not mean that you should have to sit in your room and let your life pass you by! College is one of the only times in your life that you will be surrounded by hundreds of different people who are around your age with similar interests. Don’t let the fear of rejection or the anxiety of college stunt you from reaching your full potential of life.

Want to read more? Check out my academic blog on Wordpress!

http://nomorestigmakula.wordpress.com/

[shankayy]

Social Phobia in College

For a lot of us college is the time for us to break out of our shells and step out of our comfort zone! It’s the time to make new friends and participate in new activities. For a lot of us- this is not as easy as it sounds. For a good portion of college students meeting new people and being vulnerable to new experiences is one of the most horrifying things that could happen to someone. Social Phobia is when a person has a persistent fear of social situations and will avoid them at all cost. Social Phobia is a type of anxiety disorder that affects a good chunk of the college population and is carried with these students from childhood.

Want to read more? Check out my academic blog on wordpress!

http://nomorestigmakula.wordpress.com/

[shankayy]

Preventing Suicide

Depression can debilitate a student to the point of not wanting to live. Statistics show us that groups of people that are at the most risk for suicidal ideation are young adults under the age of 21. There are many different risk factors that put a person in a horrible light to fall victim to suicide. If you see friends, peer, loved one or even yourself under the influence of any of these factors seek help immediately.

Untreated Depression

Untreated Anxiety

Talk of hopelessness

Isolation

Unwillingness to seek help

Alcohol/substance abuse

Access to lethal means

Want to read more? Follow my academic blog!

http://nomorestigmakula.wordpress.com/

[shankayy]

Suicide in College

We joke about suicide a lot in our day to day lives. We joke a lot if we had a long week or a lot to do or something bad happens. We just want to “kill ourselves,” right? Some common phrases including “I just want to jump off a bridge” or “Shoot me now.” We are all guilty, college is stressful! Papers, deadlines, work, friends, LOVE! The thing is suicide is a real thing that happens on college campuses across the nation; the second leading cause of death in college students is suicide. The rate of suicide on campus is .5- 7.5 per 100,000 college students with about 1000 college students committing the act per year. While it may seem like something that is okay to joke about because we may not know anyone personally you has died from suicide, suicide is much more common than we think.

There are a lot of misconceptions that people believe when they hear about a suicide. People think that those who commit suicide are selfish or on drugs. They believe that they were weird anyways or just lose respect for the victim as a whole. Most people who turn to suicide are struggling with debilitating depression and needed much more help than they may have lead others to believe. Could you imagine ever feeling that low? Being in so much pain that the thought of another day alive is unbearable? Most of us do not understand what this feels like but there are so many out there who are more than familiar with this feeling.

Want to read more? Check out my academic blog on wordpress!

http://nomorestigmakula.wordpress.com/

[shankayy]

What is self harm?

  A very scary and real side of depression, anxiety or even stress is self-harm. About 17 percent of college students have reported that they have partaken in some form of self-harm.

So what is self-harm?

Self-harm is when a person purposefully inflicts pain on themselves in different sorts of ways, without intent of ending their life. Different ways people induce self-harm include:

Cutting

Burning

Carving

Scratching

Biting Nails

Icing

Overdosing

To read the rest, visit my blog on wordpress!

http://nomorestigmakula.wordpress.com/

[wayfaringmd]

Stress Management

Wayfaring, meeting co-backup N in her call room to check out at the end of the day: Whoa it smells really good in here!

N: Yeah I had to get my aromatherapy on today.

Wayfaring: Wow, that bad?

N: These interns, man. Interns. Every few minutes I just spray a little more. I’m trying to stay calm here. I don’t drink and I don’t smoke weed, and of course I’m at work, so this is the best I can do to keep me from going off on these kids. 

Wayfaring: Do what you gotta do, friend. 

[introspectivepoet]

Sometimes, you really have to follow your heart, not your head.

[piercethevirgin]

[shankayy]

Feeling Stressed in College?

In our last discussion we talked a lot about stressors in college life and factors that can lead to stress. College can absolutely be overwhelming. There are times that you can feel like you are drowning in commitments and that you will never have a chance to come up for air. While we may feel there is no way out, there are many ways that you can manage your time and keep the stress to a minimum. Keeping stress at a minimum will not only keep you calm but your grades will be better, you will be less irritable, your sleep schedule can get back on track, and your overall mental and physical health will be in good shape. Yes, grades are important, but nothing is more important than your health. Is a 4.0 really worth 4 panic attacks mixed with insomnia and mild depression? I don’t think so.

For some tips on how to stay stress-free follow my blog on wordpress! Thank you for the support <3

http://nomorestigmakula.wordpress.com/

[youmatterlifeline]

Reblog this for suicide prevention.

[stillsomewhatsane]

A smile can cover everything.

[the-sad-boy]