Disabilities

[nika751]

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I am wondering if there is anyone else here with disabilities? Specifically I am curious about more "hidden" disabilities such as ADHD, Asperger's, learning disorders, anxiety, etc. Did you disclose this status to your department, university, or chair? When? How was this handled and who did you tell first? What accommodations have you received that have been (or have not been) helpful?

I just finished my first year in a doctorate program and while my grades were fine, I struggled some with a "hidden" disability. I have not ever disclosed my disability status in school, though I have made minor accommodations to my course schedules, home environment, etc. in order to work with this. This year has slightly testing my self-designed interventions and I am considering telling my dissertation chair what is going on. I would rather be proactive in telling then end up in a bad spot and not be able to fix things before they crash. I'm in a great program with very open professors but I guess I am feeling some of that "How can you be a psychologist when you have ______________?!" I realize that this is not true and that psychologists are a diverse group representing every (or close to every) disability/health condition; however, I think there is still a cultural expectation that psychologists have it all together.

Any advice would be great. Fell free to send me a private message as well. Thanks!

 

[Therapist4Chnge]

Check out:
http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=901904

 

[PsychGeek4]

I'm particularly interested in what people's thoughts were on disclosing mental health issues with mentors. This is something that I am currently struggling with myself. If others can share their thoughts/experiences with this, that would be wonderful. Thank you for bringing this up, Nika. 🙂

 

[xXIDaShizIXx]

I'm particularly interested in what people's thoughts were on disclosing mental health issues with mentors. This is something that I am currently struggling with myself. If others can share their thoughts/experiences with this, that would be wonderful. Thank you for bringing this up, Nika. 🙂

I definitely would not put it in your application. It is something that, unfortunately is still stigmatized.

 

[PsychGeek4]

I definitely would not put it in your application. It is something that, unfortunately is still stigmatized.

Fortunately, I'm already a student and I'll be starting in the fall. I was more curious about what to do moving forward.

 

[xXIDaShizIXx]

Fortunately, I'm already a student and I'll be starting in the fall. I was more curious about what to do moving forward.

If you are already a student and you have something that might hinder you academically, I would definitely talk to your professors or dept chair or if your school has a disability services center.

 

[Therapist4Chnge]

Fortunately, I'm already a student and I'll be starting in the fall. I was more curious about what to do moving forward.

Consult with someone you trust (ideally in the program, so they have a bit of context for the situation). I've seen most people start with their mentor, but that can be a double-edged sword if you don't have an understanding mentor.

 

[Lisa44201]

I have ADHD and severe carpal tunnel. I wear wrist braces constantly when I'm at work/school; they are impossible to not notice - I favor 3/4 length sleeves which end where the braces begin. The ADHD, obviously, is less physically noticeable, but no less there. For my hands, I use voice recognition software at work, or at home for writing papers - this note is actually being dictated. For my ADHD, I make sure to take breaks on a regular basis (I use a computer program called the Pomodoro app). I did not request accommodations through school; I don't believe in them for ADHD. The cohort in my Master's program all knew I had ADHD, but for some reason, my adviser never knew until after I graduated. It's not something I advertise, but if the topic comes up in conversation, I'll share what I know as someone who experiences the disorder firsthand. I have not told my PhD chair yet, as it has not come up.

 

[PsychPhDone]

We have students with "hidden" disabilities in our program. They are registered with the disability office for extra accommodations. Our department is pretty bad at keeping this confidential...it becomes obvious when they send out the candidacy exam schedule. Regardless, we're all pretty understanding.

 

[futureapppsy2]

From a listserv I'm on, it seems like there's some interesting research being done on the experiences of psych grad students with disabilities, but AFAIK, none of it's been published yet.