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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 5 of 5. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by cloudydaze on June 9, 2006, at 19:50:01
Just wanted to drop in and say hi - I'm the new kid.
A little about me: I'm 23, a college student, and a single mom with a 6 year old daughter. I have suffered from bipolar disorder all my life, but it started becoming a huge problem around age 12. I was promptly hospitalized & medicated. I've been on so many medications I can't even remember them all. I've been on Anti-depressants, anti-anxiety meds, medications for ADD, anti-psychotics (Zyprexa was awful), mood stablizers (Depakote), and sleeping pills. About a year and a half ago, I quit all my medications because i was sick of the side effects and being dependent on so many chemicals. It's been a hard road, but i've lived through it. Recently though, I've thought about getting back on medication - if i can find something that agrees with me. It seems that anti-depressants didn't help much, and if they did, they were only effective for awhile. I have heard that sometimes anti-depressants aren't effective for bipolar.
Out of all the medication and therapy i have been through, the thing that has helped me the most is education. I took psychology classes to better understand my illness, and it seems to have worked better than anything else.
Posted by Deneb on June 11, 2006, at 1:02:12
In reply to Hi, posted by cloudydaze on June 9, 2006, at 19:50:01
Wow! You sure have a lot on your plate! You must be an amazing person. I'm 24 and live with my parents and have never had a real job. I'm still trying to get my degree. I'm having a difficult time in university....skipping exams and such.
It sounds like you've done really well for yourself despite your bipolar disorder.
Welcome to Psych-Babble. I really like it here, I hope you do too.
Deneb*
Posted by cloudydaze on June 12, 2006, at 17:02:06
In reply to Re: Hi » cloudydaze, posted by Deneb on June 11, 2006, at 1:02:12
> Wow! You sure have a lot on your plate! You must be an amazing person. I'm 24 and live with my parents and have never had a real job. I'm still trying to get my degree. I'm having a difficult time in university....skipping exams and such.
>
> It sounds like you've done really well for yourself despite your bipolar disorder.
>
> Welcome to Psych-Babble. I really like it here, I hope you do too.
>
> Deneb*I don't know if I'm amazing, but I will agree that I have a lot on my plate!
I still live with my mom - hoping to move out right after i graduate. I haven't had a steady job yet either (well...other than parenthood and full time school). I had a few temporary jobs when i was younger, but my mom and I agreed that I can handle EITHER a job or school, not both. I am still a very shy, self conscious (maybe even paranoid) person, and I'm still not good at handling confrontations...i have a tendency to break down crying when i am ridiculed. That being said, I have no idea how i've made it this far in the super competitive design program at my university...and i have no idea how i'm going to handle being a designer...i'm terrified to tell you the truth. But, its got to be done - gotta grow up and join the real world someday.
I've learned to look at school (and life in general) as a challenge - that way, getting through each semester is like a big accomplishment.
if you don't mind my asking - why are you skipping exams? Is is because of anxiety or depression?
There were times i wanted to skip exams, but i couldn't afford to fail the class! For some strange reason i almost always get sick during final exam week!
Thanks for the warm welcome - sorry I talk too much (i tend to ramble - blame it on the bipolar)
Posted by Deneb on June 13, 2006, at 0:05:58
In reply to Re: Hi, posted by cloudydaze on June 12, 2006, at 17:02:06
Hi cloudydaze
It sounds like you have very clear goals for the future and you're doing all the right things to get there.
I'm a very shy person too. I'm not much of a people person in real life.
I would bet that you've made it in your super competitive design program because you are very capable and talented. ;-)
I do really stupid things like skip exams because I procrastinate and get really anxious.
What kind of a designer will you be?
Deneb*
Posted by cloudydaze on June 24, 2006, at 18:10:02
In reply to Re: Hi, posted by Deneb on June 13, 2006, at 0:05:58
> Hi cloudydaze
>
> It sounds like you have very clear goals for the future and you're doing all the right things to get there.
>
> I'm a very shy person too. I'm not much of a people person in real life.
>
> I would bet that you've made it in your super competitive design program because you are very capable and talented. ;-)
>
> I do really stupid things like skip exams because I procrastinate and get really anxious.
>
> What kind of a designer will you be?
>
> Deneb*Thanks for your nice words. :) I'm a person who does well with lots of encouragement! I am a big procrastinator too!
I spend too much time worrying about getting the assignment done (and done well). The end result is that I waste time that should be spent working!
Sometimes it works well (for me, at least) to dive in headfirst into an assignment withoout giving yourself a chance to worry. I've also learned not to over-study for exams. Your brain can only retain so much, so cramming the night before the exam isn't to your advantage! Getting sleep is important before a test. It refreshes your mind and helps you remember. Also, it helps me to take time to relax and go over my notes in the hour or two before the exam.
Procrastination is a habit you can break, if you try hard enough, and test anxiety is common. Challenge yourself to make improvements in your study habits, and you'll eventually find a method that works for you. :)
It's taken me a long time to get used to college, and now I'm afraid of going out into the "real world"! But i can't stay in college forever (it's already taken me 5 years...and i have one more to go!)
My major is called communication design. I do things ranging from posters, logos, and ads to designing book & magazine layouts. It's basically graphic design with an emphasis on communication.
This is the end of the thread.
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