anyone find out that they have a mental illness

[misssarahRN]

I am am in my third quarter of my registered nursing program. I know the stress is ridiculous, but I am growing concerned that I may have a mental illness displaying itself. i don't have insurance and don't really have the time to be formally checked out, but I was just curious if anyone had a mental illness display itself during school and how you knew it was more than the same stress everyone else was going through?

I have a family history of both types of bipolar disorder on both side of the family( mom's sister is type one, dad is type two). I am 25 and think I am coming down from hypomanic episode, but it could be that my work load just ratcheted up a couple notches and I'm feeling the stress. I feel like my classmates are ganging up on me( I couldn't get anyone in my class to let me in their group for a group project), but then again we're all stressed and we're only on campus one day a week. Because I have such a strong family history of mental illness I have been worried about it all my life, but I know the longer you delay treatment the worse it gets.

[TexasPediRN]

Good for you for being able to potentially recognize a mental illness, especially since they run in your family. Its very important to begin treatment early, but you already know that.

With that being said, it may just be stress of nursing school.

I would call a local social services agency in your area, and ask for names of some free or low cost therapists. The community has resources out there, you just have to look for them.

I would also visit your on campus health center.They should be able to help point you in the right direction.

I wish you the best!

[jackson145]

I've struggled with major depression since my early teens. I had one Doc who thought I was actually bipolar instead of depression with anxiety. I never let myself miss a single dose of my meds and I make sure to get them refilled in plenty of time. If I start feeling "bajiggity" I let my family know ASAP so they can jump in there with a little extra support. Sometimes just telling someone how I'm feeling is enough to make it better. I don't think NS has caused me any more problems than having a job ever has.

Hurry up and start taking care of the problem. You'll feel so much better once you do!

[AtomicWoman]

Please don't delay any longer. You already know that the sooner you get help, the better. Your local county health service may have free or low-cost services. Or your school may also have a service. It will be confidential.

If nothing else, they'll tell you you're fine and you can stop worrying. But if you do need more help, you'll be on your way.

[Natingale, EdD, RN]

Unfortunately no one here will really be any help. I suggest to talk to a professional, some schools offer affordable health insurance (cobra where i live) ask your family to help you out with the medical bills. Your health comes FIRST! 3rd semester? Im proud of you as well.

[brittney140]

I have OCD. It's really bad when it comes to giving meds because I have to check the MAR at least 11 times and I always make someone else check it for me. It's been a struggle...but I am definitely going to go to therapy before I become a nurse because I couldn't live like this. Nursing school is hard enough...get some help...

[Whispera, MSN, RN]

lots of mental health centers charge based on ability to pay...don't wait to see if you need treatment!

[Atheos]

I'd wait for awhile. I'm talking months. See if yo can see a pattern.

If it doesn't affect your life yet record these patterns and feelings. Do it on a daily basis.

If it IS affecting you more than you think you can handle go to a Psychiatrist as fast as possible.

Bipolar has this nasty habit of showing up in a million different ways for everybody.

The thing about BP is that extreme stress tends to trigger it. Try alleviating some of the stress in your life if at all possible.

As to finding out I had Bipolar... I found out the hard way. My life went to $%^&.:chuckle:chuckle:chuckle

[Baby*Pink]

I would try to get help before letting it go any further. I found THAT one out the hard way as I ended up hospitalized the summer after my 3rd year of nursing school (4 year program) because I just let it go too far without help. The stress of everything led to a major breakdown for me. I had problems with major depression in the past, and then with nursing school stress it just came poking it's little head out again. So from personal experience I really think help is the best thing so that things don't end up going too far.

[Journey_On, BSN, RN]

l8t_sk8r, it is good that you recognized this. I know you posted this back in May, so I hope you are doing alright now.

I developed mild OCD at least a year to two years ago. When I entered my 2nd semester of nursing school (right around when clinicals started), I noticed that it started getting worse. Now I can say that it's the worst it has ever been - I can guess that stress has something to do with it.

I didn't have time to go to a therapist, and I wanted to try to avoid being on meds if possible (because in the past I have been on SSRIs for OCD as well as depression, both different times though). I've had some people gently suggest that maybe I should consider medication, but I am still a bit hesitant because I don't want it to be like a quick fix or anything. The thing is, if there is a condition you have that is causing you so much distress/anxiety/pain/etc., it is worth your health and sanity to consider taking meds to treat it.

I wonder...if had I tried meds, maybe I would have been able to be a better student and relieve a lot of anxiety/obsessions/compulsions/thoughts that may have interfered with my school performance. I will still consider taking meds if things get really bad.

[Whispera, MSN, RN]

as mentioned in many other threads, medication isn't everything...but it IS something that can help....how about counseling through your school's counseling center or local mental health association, to reduce stress?

[pinkiepie_RN]

After a traumatic event that happened about two months ago, I finally sought treatment for bipolar disorder type II and anxiety. I feel I was definitely more aware of my symptoms as a nursing student and how the stress of school really brings out the ugly side of my disorder. That said, I also found it really hard to break down and seek treatment because I was afraid of what would happen and if I'd be able to function with meds because I've heard of icky side effects from mood stabilizers. I saw a psychiatrist and he actually asked for my input because I was invested in my recovery. I definitely think school counseling centers are amazing things. Hope you figure out what works best for you!