Could my university do more to accommodate me?

[aarmnoy]

Hi, it's 1 AM here, but I couldn't sleep because of the intrusive thoughts on the ongoing problems I have to deal with at the university.

During the last semester, I had problems concentrating and coming to class because of clinical anxiety. Two months ago, I also experienced an episode of depression, partly due to the bullying I've endured from some of my friends/classmates who had misconceptions about my psychiatric conditions and decided to ostracize me. It was a very painful experience and I'm still having issues talking about it with my therapist without the side effects, such as agitation and rumination, coming along afterwards.

These conditions led me to ask for academic accommodations like attendance flexibility and extended time on test taking (because I had shortened attention span/inattention), but the student affairs officer asserted that it was impossible and went against "the rules" here. For your information, my university doesn't have disability services office like others. And I was very sad and hurt that nearly nobody in the staff of the university understands why I demanded these accommodations in the first place. They just see me as a nuisance or a problem they'd want to get rid of, so that their workload becomes lighter.

Therefore, I have filed many complaints to various authorities within and outside the university about the lack of academic accommodations for students with psychiatric disabilities here, but all it did was generating more anger and resentment from the university's staff, who aren't willing to make adjustments to fit me in. It sometimes felt like discrimination to me.

I feel like I'm not going to survive here if I don't get proper academic accommodations in the next semester.

Does any of you have a similar experience dealing with the bureaucracies at the university who ignores and/or trivializes mental health issues?

Thank you for taking the time to read this.

[Gingerbreadman1978]

hi I would think yes your university should and could do more for you but sorry I don’t know the answer maybe a different university or try and get at least one member of staff to fight your corner don’t like bully’s there is only one way to treat bully’s and that’s to give back as good as they give it ain’t easy they only pick on people they think they can bully good luck 👍

[michd123]

Hi there! This angers me. I would report the bullying. I am so sorry you have to deal with this. Do you have a parent, friend or family member that can help you sort this out? Under the americans with disabilities act they are required to provide accomidations. It might be worth transferring to a different school if you can. You are very young. Dont be afraid to take some time off. You deserve to feel secure and happy with your college time. Best of luck.

[Trainchaser]

Sorry the university is being a pain in the ass. I think what you look for in accommodation is very reasonable Keep advocating for yourself. It takes guts to do what you are doing. Rick