My 14-year battle to study with a complex mental health issue

I’ve been to psychiatric hospital 12 times and had to give up on a number of courses – but now I’ve got my eye on a PhD

Colin Evans was 20 when he was diagnosed with schizophrenia. He was doing his first degree at the time – chemistry at the University of Leeds – and had an acute psychotic episode during a night out that saw him end up in a mental health unit at hospital.

During the 14 years since, he’s continued his education, but with both his medication and his diagnosis changing over time, his experience of studying has been an unusual one.

You’ve got to find the point between your zeal​ to study and the downtime necessary for your mind to heal

Diagnosis doesn’t have to be a life sentence of solitude or apathy

Continue reading... October 04, 2017 at 05:34PM