One semester done, with many lessons learned (I hope) and implemented (even more hope).
Every student finds the first semester tough, away from home, new situations, routines, culture and environment. Not to mention a huge workload with conflicting assessment deadlines. It’s normal to feel overwhelmed and displaced.
Which is what I have been telling Sophie. It’s not her anorexia past that makes her feel all this, but it’s a normal thing, that everyone feels. It’s important to make sure she remembers she is NORMAL not the weird one. The important difference between her and others though, is her vulnerability. If she skips meals, gets depressed etc with the whole new uni life, she is more likely to fall into old restrictive habits.
Soph flatly refused to find a counselor. She figured that after almost 5 years of full-on therapy it was time for a break. Whilst I understand the desire and the real need for that freedom and normality, in a totally new environment it wasn’t the time to do so.
She did get a doctor, did keep taking her medication, did get a good routine and did learn to care for herself. But in the depths of depression and being overwhelmed she needed a counselor who could understand where she has been and how to help her through the bad times. There have been several bad times with the worst lasting a few weeks. It was only then she finally gave into getting a counselor and realising just how good it was to talk to someone. Much better than dumping everything on her mom (who can’t really help).
It took a phone talk to her counselor up here and several to me, to get her to turn this around. To take small steps and not look at the whole overwhelming big picture.
She also (FINALLY) talked to the uni and got extensions for two assignments and has a meeting with the disability unit to get her ongoing help.
From wanting to flee the whole situation (another escape plan), I think she has turned it all around and realised with the right help around her, she can cope much better than she was.
She is home in a couple of week for a while. Time to rest and get her mind around next semester. Time for me to check her weight (down) and make sure she is eating right. She also has appts with both the counselor and psychiatrist whilst home as well.