There is another article in The New York Times entitled Off to College Alone; Shadowed by Mental Illness.      I found that this article may be helpful for parents of children already diagnosed with mind disorders who are heading off to college.  It is a tough transition, and the article goes into great detail about the way a child with a mind disorder can feel with the changes that college brings. 

However, as one who was diagnosed with Bipolar disorder after I went to college, I found this article to be slightly incomplete.  It does touch upon the challenges for students diagnosed in college by telling the story of a personal friend of mine, Stacy Hollingsworth, a wonderfully talented young woman who was diagnosed after going to college, but it does not go into great detail.  It does, however, include a link to a video about Stacy's life experience, which is definitely a redeeming quality. 

As one who was diagnosed during college in my first semester and then whisked off campus for treatment, I can certainly speak of the trials and tribulations of my experience.  I remember not wanting any of my friends or dormmates to know, although I felt like I had "mental illness" stamped on my forehead.  I remember feeling very out of place at treatment facilities because I was placed with the adults, but I was only 18, so my concerns were very different from theirs.  I remember trying to return to Emory University with all my heart, but just being unable to continue my education there.  Emory was in Atlanta, and I live much closer to New York City, and needed to be near my family during this hard time.  Finally, I remember the heartbreak of having to transfer schools after working my butt off to get into Emory in the first place.  I blamed myself, beat myself up, and punished myself for this for years.  I also remember starting at Rutgers University the next year with freshman all over again, which was not easy.  It did get better, but I had a lot of the concerns that many of the children highlighted in this article had: the drinking combined with my medications, getting into stormy relationships as my judgement was skewed, and debating whether or not to tell friends about my illness. 

Overall, college ended up being a good experience, and even though I contemplated dropping out, I realize now that living away from home and getting my degree were some of the most important first steps towards my wellness.  I don't think I would be truly well now had it not been for my college experience. 

Be Well
~ Emily