HSC anxiety

[Guest_9546]

Hello

I do not know if anyone can relate to me or not but I have "educational anxiety" for maybe the past year and 8 months?

So I wasnt allowed to do my desired subject in year 11 (in year 10 I chose extension 1 maths but wasnt allowed)

At the beginning of yr 11 I was told I wasn't allowed to do extension 1 maths. I started to stress because I wasn't told about it earlier and I wanted to do it desperately

I complained to the head of maths (on many occassions) and he then decided to make me sit a test weeks later

Weeks later I did the test and I stuffed it up. I wasn't allowed to do extension 1 maths. I was stressing and tried complaining multiple times to the head of maths. He decided no. He then referred me to the school counciller. He told me this "rubbish" that I only need advanced maths (2U) for uni since it is a calculus course but I felt I needed extension 1 maths

The counciller told me to let it go (and so did he). I tried to let it go but it didn't work. It was then raised to my school principal (through a complaint to the department of education) and he told me to just focus on all my other subjects because extension 1 maths will make things worse (but I thought of it the other way around)

Ever since that incident, I was stressing everyday. I had anxiety (and still do). I have found it very difficult to learn. Did horribly in tests
At the end of last yr, I told the HT maths that I dont care about learning anymore (since he didn't let me in extension maths earleir in the year).

Ever since then I learned to develop a deep obsession of hatred to him (because I think he's ignorant)Even now (which was a year a and half from that incident of not being allowed to study my desired subject) I have suffered anxiety a lot, I have been so stressed out that it has affected my learning, I have developed a deep hatred to the head of maths, etc. I have even cried a lot at home at times because I was too stressed out. Even back then I found a bit of difficulty sleeping

Assuming I have either narcissism, bipolar disorder or some sort of sever anxiety ] I want to apply for EAS (educational access scheme) for my HSC because my learning was affected from this event a lot

I wanted to do extension 1 (and 2) maths at high school because I wanted to pursue an actuarial degree at university (or a maths degree of some sort) as nothing else interested me but not being allowed to do my desired subjects made me stress

I would appreciate any advice from anyone here

[startingnew]

Hi tenebrosoty

Hope for the best has been doing a brilliant job helping you out here.

Ypu said doesn't physical illness affect mental health. Alot of this is to do with the way we percieve ourselves. Take weight loss. Tour loosing weight getting out and about and feeling good. This raises the feel good endorphines and is an important part of recovery. You need things that make you feel good so your not stuck in mental illness all the time

Yes so when you go to your gp they will perform the mental health questionaires. If they see fit to send you for a blood test then they will if not they wont.

As HFTB said they have their own way of distiguiahing mental and physical illness. Try not to worry to much just go with the flow.

Good luck with it all. Have you made an appointment to see your gp as yet?

[Guest_9546]

Hey StartingNew

Yes hope.for.the.best is an amazing person who has dedicated his/her time to helping others going through a difficult time in life when he/she already seems to be busy with a million things every week. I will also credit you, Ahw309 and Qurz for dedicating your precious time to helping me so a big thank you to all of you

Well I have not lost weight, had changes in appetite, etc but I think it's my head that is going through a mental strain. That's why I thought a doctor would do a brain scan to make an accurate diagnosis of a mental illness

From doing past internet questionnaires, I remember receiving results such as "you may display symptoms of anxiety" or "you show some symptoms of depression and it is advisable you see a GP", etc but would this make me go through the blood test? (I actually need to hide it from my mum because I don't want her to know I've been going to the doctor's in secret)

I am trying to go today (because I don't want to attend high school graduation) however I am having a bit of an issue asking for the medicare card from my mum

Again thank you

[Guest_9546]

Hi everyone

So luckily enough I was able to ask for the medicare card from my mum and I was able to write down the medicare number. Luckily enough she didn't find out and I don't want her to find out I'm actually seeing a psychologist

So at the doctor's appointment he didn't make me do a blood test (lucky) but all he did ask ask questions and made me do a questionnaire. One of the questions he asked to me was "have you ever felt suicidal" and I was like "yes I have but I have never attempted to do it but have always been questioning why I am on this earth with 7 billion other people if no one out there gives a toss about me and wants me to suffer". That's how I felt after receiving that response from the school counciller (which actually discouraged me from seeking mental help for over a year)

I asked him (the doctor) whether it's possible to find out what I specifically have whether it's OCD or PTSD or Bipolar and he said, the psychologist will go through that with you. I am now concerned about what specifically happens when your doctor refers you to a psychologist can somebody tell me? At the first psychologist session does the psychologist ask you how you're feeling or do they do a brain scan or what? I'm not as concerned for the psychology session but would like to know desperately or else I will feel very anxious (like how I did with the doctor and how I was concerned about blood tests hurting). Will the psychologist start emailing the UNSW school of maths and statistics or to figure out more about this or what? (or will he/she start doing some research on this)

Apparently he diagnosed me with "Anxious depression"? I guess I will need to find out more later

According to my GP I am entitled to only 5 free psychology sessions as opposed to something like 10 or 12. I think this was because I didn't apply early enough

If I still have "spare psychology sessions" is it possible to discuss my other non HSC life issues with the psychologist or will I need to go through a doctor for a mental health care plan?

Kinda disappointed by the fact that I can only go to the psychologist 5 times within this year however I guess I can't complain given that this is "free"

Thank you all for your help again

[Hope_for_the_best]

Good to hear that you finally made it to the doctor and your doctor referred you to a psychologist. However, I cannot stress enough that you should order your own medicare card. I would also advise that you set up a bank account for yourself so you can receive any medicare claims directly in future. Unfortunately I have never seen a psychologist in Australia but to my knowledge, you only get 5 free sessions in one go. You need to go back to your GP after the 5 sessions to get another referral (correct me if I am wrong).

A psychologist is not a doctor. He/she will not do a brain scan on you. Your doctor would have ordered you one if he thought you needed. I have seen a psychologist a few times overseas. It may be a bit different in Australia, but I guess my experiences are of help to you. I remember the receptionist gave me a long questionnaire to complete (100+ questions asking about symptoms and feelings) in my very first appointment. Then I was taken to a room while the psychologist was going through my responses. She then came into the room and talked to me. I made notes of what I wanted to say before the session, so I simply went through the notes. She then asked me a few questions to help with my thinking. To me, it is more like talking to a new friend.

I think there is a thread about "seeing a psychologist for the first time" here. Perhaps you can have a look into that.

[startingnew]

HI tenebrosity


im glad you were able to get to the drs appointment and that they were helpful.
This is my expereince in what happens.... so after they have given you the mental health assessment and refferred you to see a psychologist, ive had to be the one to inititaite contact with the refferred psychologist. It was up to me to ring and make an appointment with them. Other than that im not too sure...


the first psychologist session is really a get to know you session. They ask questions to do with your life and stiuation and what has brought you to see a psychologist meaning what are you having trouble with. What you say to them are entirely confidential unless they think that your intentions are to walk out of there and end your life. They wont call your school or ring anyone else unless you ask them too. They are there to help you and not judge you remember so you can be honest with them.


Im not to sure what anxious depression is, maybe you could do some research into this yourself..? im not sure about the amount of sessions either... you might be entitiled to more after the 5 sessions are up.

[Guest_9546]

Hi startingnew and hope.for.the.best

@Hope.for.the.best I already have a bank account set up. I will get my own medicare card after HSC as well. You haven't seen a psychologist in Australia, I thought you were a domestic student who studied at a registered NSW high school (whilst doing your HSC) as well as UNSW? Yes I am aware of the fact a psychologist isn't a doctor who does brain scans but how can they actually confirm the exact mental disorder you have? Like if I had OCD or PTSD how could they exactly find out other than questionnaires and verbal communication? Some people could be dishonest with their answers and be wrongly diagnosed. I'm sure the psychologist would need to do something "physical" to actually confirm. It's like experiencing the symptons of cancer, you need to do a physical test to confirm you have it

@startingnew I could probably send them an email enquiry to the psychologists while sending them this link (to save time when chatting). Should I actually talk about my issues in the context of schooling or outside or both? I feel it's both that affect my everyday life (well the me not being in extension 1 maths brought be back into past "trauma". I guess that's their job to help and not judge patients. I think my GP might've made a mistake with the "anxious depression" bit. I also made a mistake by saying it was the around the middle of the year when I started to feel negative and all that. Oh well does it make much of a difference? (if the day I started stressing was something like 1 month-2 months different to what the GP wrote) That's my concern for now

I am currently doing an EAS application (for something unrelated) and it is so god dam stressful and traumatising at the same time. I am always hearing in my mind when I am doing the EAS application (from my school principal) "your marks have been consistent throughout year 9-12 so you're not going to get bonus points" (that's what he actually said at a meeting with me). It's so agitating because I'm thinking to myself, no one cares about year 9, 10 and 11 (sometimes year 11) because results do not count and students can actually pick up their game when it comes to year 12. I'm just thinking screw the stupid application because I'm probably not going to get bonus points but my mum is consistently nagging me to the point where I am actually yelling at her

It is annoying in school when my teachers thought that I struggled with certain subjects (as it was too hard for me)

[startingnew]

Hi T


this is only me but I wouldnt send them a link for here. I would go back through your posts and write down the most important parts and dot point them so you remember to talk about them.

ring the reception when you can and set up an appointment and take all your notes with you.
You can show them this in your first session to get right to the point. If its affecting you both in school and outside school then write that down in dot points too. Write how its affecting you both in and outside school.
Its only a rough timeline ou dont have to be 100%accurate so dont stress too much about that.


On your application just write what you think would be best on there, dont be so hard on yourself. No you might not get bonus points but you dont know until you try right?

[Hope_for_the_best]

Yes, I am a domestic student who studied in UNSW. I was born overseas and I briefly lived in Australia with my family when I was young, but then my family moved back. So I completed my high school overseas and came back to Australia since uni. I started to see a psychologist overseas because I got quite a bit of stress living by myself and studying in Australia. The psychologist I see overseas has a similar background to me, particularly she studied by herself in the US for 8 years, so I just stick with her. She is very helpful and I am mostly okay these days, so I only follow up with her once a year when I am overseas.

You are right that the diagnosis of mental illnesses is not always straight forward. The causes of mental illnesses are not as clear as heart diseases and stroke. It is likely a combination of genes, environment and brain chemical balance. Currently, a brain scan cannot diagnose mental illnesses (maybe it can one day). Psychologists are well-trained to look for your non-verbal clues, so to some extent they can tell whether you are honest. Of course, it is in your best interest to be honest with your psychologist.

I totally agree that you should send the links to your posts on this site so your psychologist gets to know you beforehand. This way he/she can get straight to your issues and you will get the most out of the visit.

[Guest_9546]

@SN-I will do so. I probably won't ring them. I'm trying to keep it as silent as possible from my family because I don't like them getting involved with this sort of thing, especially when they have to blurt out the same thing to me over and over again a couple of time til the point I tell them to shut up (i.e. them telling me "don't do extension maths, it's not the right level" etc all that nonsense). I'll probably talk about school issues (because that's what started it all which eventually led to more negative thinking). Personally I can actually remember a lot of past traumatic events mainly because I'm thinking about it every now and then (I also had another thread for my own life issues and how I'm skeptical because of people). I probably will do so because I have nothing to lose. Is it better to summarise certain posts? Like I don't know how the psychologist would react if he saw me making accusations to certain people on this site

@H.T.F.B I initially thought you were a HSC student because a lot of the advice you gave me was without doubt "helpful" to some extent. I don't think I could get that sort of advice other than from NSW HSC students, I mean does the senior schooling system overseas operate in a similar manner to NSW HSC or even Vic VCE? Well at least I've learnt something new about psychologists. Another thing was personally I do not think mental illness is defined as a medical disorder (that's why it is often neglected in society) because of a number of reasons however I guess it's great that health specialists are starting to acknowledge it as a medical condition that way people will start to acknowledge these things and speak out

To be honest even if I was allowed to do extension 1 maths or was at another high school, I'd still be hating on high schools (in general). I've noticed that I've vented on in rage about high schools but am talking about them in general (not specifically the one I go to) and I've vented on a bit about how upset I was about the school counciller's reponse to my issue (at least that wasn't rage)

Another thing I remembered was how my principal and careers advisor said that "how do you know if people are giving you the right advice or not, they're strangers all over the internet". They seem to have skepticalism about people from this site and I think they're advising me not to seek advice for mental help here. I can already tell if people are telling the truth or not (because I've been on various forums)

[startingnew]

Hi T
ok just email them then or ring while your at school or whent hey arent around as its quicker and easier to do. '
here is suppsoe to be a safe place for you to discuss your issues remember thats why I suggested summarising your thoughts.
You can summarise the posts or you can just write down the main points and go from there.
Many people are skeptical of all forums and are often discouraged from using them. But its entirely up to you. Its whatever you feel the most comfortable with, please keep in mind though that we arent mh trained professionals. Just average people with expereinces and offering the advice that we know