Manage Appeals
Petition Type: New
ID: 987
Submitted: April 23, 2015 at 6:25:08 PM
First Name: Bonnie
Last Name: Cai
Student Number: 10142949
Email: bonnie.cai@queensu.ca
Degree Program: BSH
Plan: BCHM
Level of Study: 1
Petition Categories
Petition Categories: Request aegrotat (AG) standing in a course or courses
Code: PHAR 100
Term: Winter
Year: 2015
Petition Category: Request aegrotat (AG) standing in a course or courses
Instructor's Name: Jeanne Mulder
Code: PSYC 100
Term: Fall/Winter
Year: 2015
Petition Category: Request aegrotat (AG) standing in a course or courses
Instructor's Name: Jill Atkinson
Petition Letter
Petition Letter: Hello,
The extenuating circumstance that affected my academic performance is longstanding depression and anxiety. At first, I didn't think this was a valid enough reason for my behaviour, but I realize now how severely it affected my first year of university. I truly appreciate the time you are taking to read this.
I only found out I was depressed after my first suicide attempt in grade 9. Around the same time, my high school guidance counselor told my mother that I was self-harming, and I started seeking therapy shortly after. It was when I saw my first psychiatrist at the Royal Ottawa Mental Health Hospital that I began my first medication. I had high hopes that university could change my self-deprecating outlook.
When I arrived at Queen's, I sought to continue therapy as soon as possible. I saw a doctor at HCDS and continued to see her throughout the year. She registered me with Disability Services for my depression and anxiety. I also sought a great psychiatrist and a counselor throughout the year. However, it became apparent that I wouldn't be able to do everything I wanted to do. With severe social anxiety, I couldn't make friends, even while in residence. I went to class at first, but suicidal thoughts started getting the best of me, and I started spending most of my time crying in bed. I constantly fought thoughts such as you're so worthless you should do everyone a favour and kill yourself. Sometimes, the only thing that would get me out of bed was a panic attack. I feared going outside. I did not anticipate this year to be the hardest year of my life.
This affected my performance in PHAR100 because of the self-directed studying. I was able to do the online assignments throughout the semester, but when it came to studying for the final, I felt like it would be an accumulation of my failures. When I opened my book, I would have a panic attack, or I would start crying and couldn't stop. I didn't know what to do.
For PSYC 100, a lot of the weight is on the exam marks. I was able to do the mid-year exam, but the last two months of school were very challenging and were a major obstacle for me. I went to the hospital for suicidal thoughts. I tried to tell myself that a little stress is normal, but when it got to the point that all I could think about was dying, I went to my psychiatrist to request documentation.
An Aegrotat would help me start the anxiety and mood disorders day program at the Royal Ottawa Mental Health Hospital as soon as possible.
I am now on my sixth antidepressant, with unfortunately no avail so far. I have tried many kinds of therapy (including CBT, insight, cognitive, etc) from around 10 different therapists/professionals. Right now, a good day is one where I can make it outside. The last two months of school were the hardest for me: I went through withdrawal from a medication, causing me to have electric brain shocks, and I ended up going to the hospital for suicidality. I lost a lot of hope this year but when I found out about the possibility to appeal, it gave me a bit of hope that I could receive a fair education even with my mental illness. I hope this letter wasn't too long and I thank you for your time and understanding.
Thank you greatly,
Bonnie
The extenuating circumstance that affected my academic performance is longstanding depression and anxiety. At first, I didn't think this was a valid enough reason for my behaviour, but I realize now how severely it affected my first year of university. I truly appreciate the time you are taking to read this.
I only found out I was depressed after my first suicide attempt in grade 9. Around the same time, my high school guidance counselor told my mother that I was self-harming, and I started seeking therapy shortly after. It was when I saw my first psychiatrist at the Royal Ottawa Mental Health Hospital that I began my first medication. I had high hopes that university could change my self-deprecating outlook.
When I arrived at Queen's, I sought to continue therapy as soon as possible. I saw a doctor at HCDS and continued to see her throughout the year. She registered me with Disability Services for my depression and anxiety. I also sought a great psychiatrist and a counselor throughout the year. However, it became apparent that I wouldn't be able to do everything I wanted to do. With severe social anxiety, I couldn't make friends, even while in residence. I went to class at first, but suicidal thoughts started getting the best of me, and I started spending most of my time crying in bed. I constantly fought thoughts such as you're so worthless you should do everyone a favour and kill yourself. Sometimes, the only thing that would get me out of bed was a panic attack. I feared going outside. I did not anticipate this year to be the hardest year of my life.
This affected my performance in PHAR100 because of the self-directed studying. I was able to do the online assignments throughout the semester, but when it came to studying for the final, I felt like it would be an accumulation of my failures. When I opened my book, I would have a panic attack, or I would start crying and couldn't stop. I didn't know what to do.
For PSYC 100, a lot of the weight is on the exam marks. I was able to do the mid-year exam, but the last two months of school were very challenging and were a major obstacle for me. I went to the hospital for suicidal thoughts. I tried to tell myself that a little stress is normal, but when it got to the point that all I could think about was dying, I went to my psychiatrist to request documentation.
An Aegrotat would help me start the anxiety and mood disorders day program at the Royal Ottawa Mental Health Hospital as soon as possible.
I am now on my sixth antidepressant, with unfortunately no avail so far. I have tried many kinds of therapy (including CBT, insight, cognitive, etc) from around 10 different therapists/professionals. Right now, a good day is one where I can make it outside. The last two months of school were the hardest for me: I went through withdrawal from a medication, causing me to have electric brain shocks, and I ended up going to the hospital for suicidality. I lost a lot of hope this year but when I found out about the possibility to appeal, it gave me a bit of hope that I could receive a fair education even with my mental illness. I hope this letter wasn't too long and I thank you for your time and understanding.
Thank you greatly,
Bonnie
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