Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: To The Associate Dean (Studies)

I am appealing to drop the following courses: CISC 101 (Winter, 2019), CLST 131 (Winter, 2019), GPHY 105 (Winter, 2019), and Geol 107 (Fall 2018).

Explanation of extenuating circumstances:

Depression - isolation - worsening of symptoms - diagnosis of anxiety and depression - started on medication - severe physical and mental side-effects - physically demanding to leave the house causing missed classes and eventually giving up on school and courses.

In March of 2018 I found myself in a significant mental health crisis, resulting in a major anxiety attack, and another that followed a few days later. At first I didn't think much of it, as I had been going through a lot mentally and academically, however since the first occurrence of this anxiety attack I have changed a lot mentally. I now know that I suffer from Clinical Anxiety and Depression which was not formally diagnosed until late November of 2018. When I returned to school in September, and during the three months before being diagnosed I suffered from panic attacks multiple times a week, in places from my room, to public areas and at home.

These anxiety attacks were very debilitating as they sent me into a tailspin of isolation and negative thinking. Once I fully understood the severity of my situation in the Fall of 2018, I contacted my family, and sought assistance from medical and mental health professionals. I returned to Toronto for a week in November 2018, where I saw my family doctor, who after two appointments prescribed and started me on a low dose of Antidepressants. The dosage was increased towards the end of December as part of the doctor¿¿s care plan. The antidepressants did help to stabilize my mental state, however the side effects were so severe that I found myself unable to leave my room, or my house on 99 of days. These side effects ranged from nausea (which left me eating only one or two meals a day), to low energy, increased difficulty sleeping, dizziness, slightly blurred vision, increased awareness of self (which only heightened my anxiety), and worst of all, an unshakeable brain fog that left me having trouble thinking clearly, and multiple, more personal issues.

I went from someone who would visit friends houses most nights of the week to cook, study, hang-out, and enjoy myself, to someone who spent days or weeks on end in my room, only leaving my house when absolutely necessary. It may seem very obvious to others that the medication was not a good fit, and the problems should have been dealt with as soon as the side effects presented themselves, but I overlooked this for a long time due to the mental state I was in, as well as not wanting to suffer from panic attacks, no matter the price. It has been very difficult to obtain consistent mental health services through Queens, as they cannot provide visits immediately, rather only Crisis counselling, and appointments with mental health advisors that can take weeks to obtain.

At the end of the term I asked for help from my parents, and have had a series of visits with my Family doctor in Toronto since returning home, as well as a shared appointment with a Psychiatrist. These have led to a revised medication plan under the care of these doctors that will hopefully limit the side effects and brain fog, and allow me to return to normal activities and studies. I will have follow up visits with these doctors over the coming months, and as well as I have been prescribed Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to help me deal with my anxiety and mental health issues going forward.

Future plan:

Should I be allowed to drop these courses, my intent would be to enroll for 2019/2020 using the following plan for success:

I will continue to work with my Doctor and Psychiatrist in order to find a medication that benefits me with limited side effects. I will also be seeking mental health services when I return to school in the fall, whether it is through the school or through private practice, in order to ensure consistent, ongoing care throughout the year.

Academics

Continue in a general Science curriculum

Work with my academic advisor to return and select courses that create a long term academic plan that is of interest and motivates me, and to retake any courses that may be required

Use the PASS, Bounce Back and Learning Strategies programs earlier in the year

Mental Health, Anxiety and General Health

Arrange for Wellness and Counselling Services at Queens (privately as needed)

Engage in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Continued care with medical professionals in Toronto (Psychiatrist, Family Doctor, Sleep Clinic)

Diagnosed Sleep disorder: continue with Sleep Clinic and Doctor in Toronto to find strategies and solutions to deal with disorder ¿¿ including medication, natural remedies and weighted blanket

Learn strategies to combat my anxiety

Gain weight lost as a result of anxiety and medication side-effects

Thank you for your consideration in this matter.
Kind regards,


Stuart Lillico