Abscences due to inspecific health issues

[wards]

Go to your GP and get blood tests done.

 

[vergil96]

Serious problems can cause us to stop eating, so that part might be worth seeing another professional about.

I don't normally feel hugry or thirsty. At all. I know that sounds strange, but apparently it's not that uncommon on the autism spectrum, that's why I'm asking here. If I have more time and headspace, I remember about my physiological needs. I have too much to do. I have to chill out for a bit to feel what my body is feeling and to remember about my needs. I also have nausea and headaches that cause me to not have apetite - that's all from fatigue. They're normal headaches, nothing dangerous, I've always had them when I'm too tired.

You all see that it's not intuitive to understand that hyperfixation on what I'm doing can cause serious problems if I have no control over my environment such as schedule. Perhaps there is a way to kill two birds with one stone and be busy and have all the physiological needs met, but I don't know it. However if you know the way, I'm open to it.

Any ways, you are almost done. You could just ask to reschedule tests, if you can get a doctor's note just saying you are just wiped out with being ND?

I can't, I mean, the waiting list is several weeks long and I don't know what she my doctor (psychiatrist, specifically) would come up with. If the issue was already solved like some people have it, for example they have learning difficulties related to autism and get all the psychological diagnoses and submit them to the university or school with notices from medical proffessionals how to handle that - then it would be easier. But it's not and it is an unexpexted turn of events, because I avoid classes that rely on being present.

But if I were to work from home, that would solve my problems. I usually do this when I have problems of this kind, but I have to have the management classes this term and you have to be present, and I have practically finished all the projects already, I'm ahead of time (as always), but I might not be able to get there physically - in which case I might not get the points for non-merit related reasons. I get it that rules are rules and the such, but... damn, I have long-term health issues without a name.

I don't even have tests. I have 4 classes right now:
1. Managament 1: We need to hand in documentation, a long word document and an excel sheet (most of the points for presentations are already given, but you can't pass without the documentation)
2. Management 2: We need to hand in another project that my group is almost done with (same situation with points)
3. Management 3: you just have to be present and you can do it online
4. Android programming: also a small project to do, but it's the easiest one and there is the option to come online.

Maybe I should just write emails, but I'm too tired to have obvious ideas right now, also emails scare me and I don't know what I should write exactly without writing a book. I usually wrote something like "I'm ill with this illness, here is the doctor's notice, can I take the test next week/ submit the project online please?". I know it might sound stupid, but I have no idea how to explain what happened without writing an essay. It doesn't help with communication skills that I'm exhausted.

 

[vergil96]

Just keep it concise. "Having some health issues. Under the care of a physician right now. Will keep you posted." If they respond back and you are able to have a brief discussion about assignments that may be due, then address that.

I just read this mesaage, thank you a lot!

 

[Mary Terry]

I did see a doctor (or rather family, I come from a family of doctors), it's "just" hunger and dehydration.

Since you know the cause of your problem, what are you doing about it?

 

[Mary Terry]

Many people and most children ignore their body's signals to eat and drink. Having specific, set times to eat meals will keep you on a schedule so you are less likely to make yourself ill. Breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks if you need them.

Eating a handful of nuts is a great snack. You can keep some in your pockets or bookbag.

 

[Aspychata]

Excellent idea. Train yourself to snack on small meals you carry in your briefcase. Almonds are excellent. Cheese sticks that are frozen the nite before, will last until lunch. Between 11-1:30, eat two cheese sticks, or a ounce of nuts, or a sandwich of just peanut butter packed in your backpack. This will see you thru until dinner. I have fallen into the trap of not eating at specific times, this does cause severe issues. Because l become very fussy about what l eat. Now l am stuck on hardboiled eggs. If you eat meat, they have many choices for jerky, which you can practically put in your pocket that supplies protein and fat calories. Some people start their day with coffee and a spoon of butter or coconut oil stirred in, this helps them until lunchtime hunger pangs. Being on the spectrum, we do fall into food ruts, not eating, only eating certain things, sensory issues with food textures.

 

[Yeshuasdaughter]

I tell you that there is none. There is nothing like that, you can just contact the deanery about formal issues. They just deal with finances, assigments of classes and grades, formal sick leaves, student IDs etc. It's not possible to email them just "to chat and figure out". You either have a formal issue or you don't. The teachers are approachable, but I have no idea what I should tell them so that it doesn't come across as whining or that I get my point through.

You do have a formal issue. You are living with frequent illness and having trouble with grades. I think that's a serious issue if I ever heard of one. And the people you are describing are those whom in the USA we would label as Student Services.

You said that you spoke to a psychologist and they were rude? This is your future at stake. A little rudeness should not deter you from advocating from yourself. What if they were not rude to you, but you had the perception that they were rude, when really, they were being frank. There is a gray area between one's intent, and the other person's perception, and the way it affects them.

Who cares if it comes across as whining? That's an internal, you thing, that has nothing to do with reality. The teachers expect you to come to them with health issues that may impact your grades. It's part of their training. It's part of being in college.

It sounds like this is an Anxiety related internal dialogue problem. So if you don't want a bunch of debt you need to muster up internal strength like tomorrow, and go in and fight for yourself as a student living with health problems.

Also go to the ER. That's what they exist for. People go to the ER all the time for outpatient things. Sudden drops in health.

I would suspect that you are experiencing blood sugar crashes. Hypoglycemia. I am no doctor, but as a layman it makes sense given the evidence.

I hope this is not coming across as impolite or condescending. I care, and I am just trying to help you see how important that surmounting the crippling anxiety towards confronting university faculty and staff is to your future. I want you to succeed.

 

[Yeshuasdaughter]

Student Services: People in the office that run the college, and handle issues such as financial aid and record keeping.

Academic Advisor: Someone who guides you through the application process. They may help one select classes that are pertinent to their major. They may also help a person find a tutor, or dispute a grade based on health status or some other problem.

 

[vergil96]

I'm sorry I disappeared, I got the flu with fever and then there was Christmas, so I had no time to respond.

Since you know the cause of your problem, what are you doing about it?

Currently nothing, because at first I was ill then there was Christmas mode of functioning, but it has been suggested in the thread and by other people I know that I could take food/snacks with me and prepare meals beforehand, e.g. make sandwiches for breakfast in the evening. And that I could use phone reminders, but I rather tend to ignore them.

have fallen into the trap of not eating at specific times, this does cause severe issues.

I have issues with the too irregular schedule I have right now. If it's a set time, I remember, but if it's a different time everyday, I forget.

Many people and most children ignore their body's signals to eat and drink. Having specific, set times to eat meals will keep you on a schedule so you are less likely to make yourself ill. Breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks if you need them.

Eating a handful of nuts is a great snack. You can keep some in your pockets or bookbag.

Excellent idea. Train yourself to snack on small meals you carry in your briefcase. Almonds are excellent. Cheese sticks that are frozen the nite before, will last until lunch. Between 11-1:30, eat two cheese sticks, or a ounce of nuts, or a sandwich of just peanut butter packed in your backpack. This will see you thru until dinner. I have fallen into the trap of not eating at specific times, this does cause severe issues. Because l become very fussy about what l eat. Now l am stuck on hardboiled eggs. If you eat meat, they have many choices for jerky, which you can practically put in your pocket that supplies protein and fat calories. Some people start their day with coffee and a spoon of butter or coconut oil stirred in, this helps them until lunchtime hunger pangs. Being on the spectrum, we do fall into food ruts, not eating, only eating certain things, sensory issues with food textures.

Thank you for the many snack suggestions!

Gawd, I swear problems with many kinds of food are a part of the problem. If I could just grab anything in the snack bar at uni and eat it, I'd do it. But I have to make my own meals. Which isn't hard, but I forget or end up not having the 10 minutes right before I leave.

 

[vergil96]

Student Services: People in the office that run the college, and handle issues such as financial aid and record keeping.

Academic Advisor: Someone who guides you through the application process. They may help one select classes that are pertinent to their major. They may also help a person find a tutor, or dispute a grade based on health status or some other problem.

Thank you, that makes sense. I studied in the UK in the past and Student Services there were very unlike the deanery at my current university. They used to actually talk you through things, not just accept documents. Or you could request all kinds of things there, like study skills help, study buddy, psychologist, ask how to go to the doctor and where the GP is, all kinds of questions related to immigration... They were really approachable and you could go there with a problem you didn't know the solution to and you'd know it will get solved or at least they will try and help. Here they don't really want to talk to you if you don't know the solutions.

You said that you spoke to a psychologist and they were rude? This is your future at stake. A little rudeness should not deter you from advocating from yourself.

I was hoping that she could be someone that actually wants to talk to students not necessarily about psychology, but in general, but she turned out the same way and to be a person I dislike talking to, because I feel accused all the time and she can't answer to a simple question I ask such as when she will be available, it's all I asked and she was unpleasant in response, got defensive. I just want to make plans, I'm busy, and I can't wait forever, because deadlines are coming. That's all there was to it. But she had to make it personal, as if sending one follow up email had to do with me overreacting. Idk, as you noticed, that's my passing grades at stake, to me, wanting to make plans and having clarity is an adequate response. One way or another, whether it was her intention or not she's not someone I would want to describe my issues to, if she thinks I'm making things up from the get go and blames me. At best, she's a frustrating person.

Who cares if it comes across as whining? That's an internal, you thing, that has nothing to do with reality. The teachers expect you to come to them with health issues that may impact your grades. It's part of their training. It's part of being in college.

It sounds like this is an Anxiety related internal dialogue problem. So if you don't want a bunch of debt you need to muster up internal strength like tomorrow, and go in and fight for yourself as a student living with health problems.

Hm, fair point. Maybe I could try and call the deanery then and not care that someone might not understand the kind of health problems I'm facing.

I would suspect that you are experiencing blood sugar crashes. Hypoglycemia. I am no doctor, but as a layman it makes sense given the evidence.

Yeah, I've been told that by my family before, it very likely is hypoglycemia. Usually, I have regular meals and I'm fine. Also balancing carbs, fats and protein in each meal works best.

I hope this is not coming across as impolite or condescending. I care, and I am just trying to help you see how important that surmounting the crippling anxiety towards confronting university faculty and staff is to your future. I want you to succeed.

No, it doesn't, thank you , I appreciate it.