Post by JayhawkGirl on Dec 10, 2015 1:26:48 GMT -5
It sounds like he is surrounded by loving, supportive people who all have his health and happiness at heart. You are an awesome mom and your support and flexibility and openness is helping him, I promise.
Post by mrsukyankee on Dec 10, 2015 4:03:17 GMT -5
Sounds like he's done the very responsible thing and quite honestly, as a therapist, it would give me hope that he worked so hard to get his life in place so that he could move forward. I hope the change in meds really works for him and therapy goes smoothly!
Absolutely keeping him in my prayers SueSue. My sis went through similar & had to withdraw for 3 semesters; 15 years later she's a very happy, healthy mom of 4. Only sharing to squeeze your shoulder in reminding this is temporary. I'm sure you're being an awesome support system, & will keep you in my prayers too, sweet mama.
Post by dreamcrisp1 on Dec 10, 2015 7:17:12 GMT -5
Aw suesue I am so sorry for him. In my 4th year of school, I fell into deep, deep depression and had ptsd. somehow I managed to go to classes, do assignment, and complete the year but I have no idea how I did so. One thing my school therapist did, which saved me, was help me register as a disability student who needed accommodations. Then my accommodations counsellor sent emails to all my professors and it helped. I got notes from lectures since I couldn't always make it to class. I got due dates pushed if needed and I was able to arrange other things. When he goes back, could he do somethin like this? Therapy is good. It helped a lot. I hope the Wellbutrin helps too. Exercise was a huge help as well.
Sorry if you've said these things before, I haven't read all the responses as yet but I will once I'm at work. You're an amazing mom. So supportive and loving. He's so lucky.
Hugs and prayers. My mom and her identical twin both have dealt with debilitating depression. It is so hard to watch someone you love suffering. It would kill me to have to watch my boys deal with that.
Depending on what he is up for, perhaps tell him to look for some volunteer work. It was recommended to me for mild depression. Gives a sense of purpose and is inherently rewarding without the pressures of a job job.
Post by lovelyshoes on Dec 10, 2015 8:20:34 GMT -5
Lots of hugs. I hope that the time off helps him to clear his head and start fresh. Sending lots of well wishes to all of you. It's so hard to come out of darkness. It's so great that he has your understanding and support. Best wishes.
Sue, I am so sorry. I experienced some depression my first and second years of college and it was awful. I feel for your DS. I'm glad he seems to have a lot of support around him. Sending you hugs.
I'm sorry Sue. It sounds like he's getting the help he needs, and it's great that he feels close enough to you to let you in on his struggles. I hope the Wellbutrin gets him back on track quickly.
@cse1960 I'm so sorry he is struggling. College is such a hard time for so many- especially those living far from home. I'm sorry he had to withdraw for the semester, but I'm glad he has a supportive advisor that is helping him get through this.
A few thoughts- depression is covered under ADA. When he is ready to go back, have him ask his physician for a letter about his diagnosis and any accommodations that might help him be successful. He will need to take that to the university's ADA department and they can help him notify his professors about the required accommodations (they will not tell his professors what his diagnosis is, only what accommodations are required).
Second- if he hasn't already, have him reach out to the university's behavior intervention team, and get on their radar. He doesn't need to DO anything for them/with them, but just making them aware of his situation will be good. It will be one more person/group of people keeping an eye out for him when he returns.
Finally- Make sure that he knows this is far more common that he probably realizes. And it happens at all levels- I have had a few med students this year that have needed to take a medical leave of absence because of anxiety or depression. We check in with them, and will be ready for them when they decide they are ready to come back. I have had students take leaves in the past and come back and do extremely well. Health, especially mental health, is so important and I think it speaks volumes about him and his maturity level that he realizes this and is willing to put his health first. And I think it speaks volumes about you as a parent that you are as supportive as you are, and it speaks volumes about y'alls relationship that he felt comfortable telling you that this is what he needed.
I'm thinking of you guys. Please let me know if you have any questions on the university administrative side of things, and I can see if I can help.