Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: I am requesting credit standing (CR) in ENGL 100 (Fall-Winter 2014/2015). I am appealing for credit standing in this course as an acute episode of psychosis and anxiety during the final exam, related to my mental illness of major depressive disorder with psychosis and generalized anxiety disorder, directly affected my academic performance, resulting in a lower grade than I otherwise could have obtained in the course.

Entering the exam, I had performed fairly well in the course, showing an upward trend in my exam grades, close reading assignments, and in participation. Entering the exam, I had approximately a grade of B ¿¿ B+. I had suffered from mental illness throughout the course, however, in April, I experienced an extreme downturn in my mental health which prevented me from writing the exam in April. The exam was deferred until August. Up to this point, I had been seeing a psychiatrist regularly (weekly or biweekly) since my episode in April, and had made significant progress in my outlook. At first, I was non-functional and extremely anxious but over the May-June-July months had made significant progress over the months of work with my psychiatrist and a new treatment regimen, which included four separate new medications. Therefore, I made an attempt to write the exam in August.

The negative effects the acute psychotic episode had on my progress during the exam were as follows: although I had prepared adequately and could recall some of the content of the questions on the exam, as soon as the exam began, I began to feel extremely fatigued as I experienced a hyper rigidity in my limbs. It became laborious, even painful to write and as I noticed this I became very anxious. It was debilitating. I did take a break over the course of the exam in order to try and mediate some of the symptoms I was experiencing to no avail. I was unable to recall information clearly, would begin to write sentences, then my thoughts became very jumbled. Over the course of the exam, due to my frustration and anxiety, unable to think clearly or focus on the content of the exam, I began to feel an overwhelming sense of hopeless and agony, and it became so painful to sit in the exam and write that I had to leave.

I continue to see my psychiatrist for my mental health issues. This being my last semester (and I will graduate) I have decided to break from further studies until I can reach remission. Over the course of this time period I will continue working with my psychiatrist, as well as maintain my medication regimen. I have also tried instituting some lifestyle changes, such as engaging in volunteering with the Girl Guides of Canada to improve my outlook. At my most recent assessment, my psychiatrist estimates that it will take at least 1-2 years of treatment to reach full remission.