overwhelmed by study, emotional episodes - what should I do?

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I'm having a really frustrating time working on uni assessments at the moment. Some physical health conditions are getting the better of me and I've got behind with my work. I'm going to the doctor for the second time in a week to ask for a certificate to apply for special allowances. It's not how I like to do things but I've missed so much sleep, am so far behind and feel so desperate.

I have had numerous "episodes" in the last couple of weeks. I realise how far behind I am and panic then for a few hours my mind is jammed in a negative loop where I discount having enough time to do something, discount getting an extension, discount putting in a lesser effort to get it finished anyway etc. I also keep having gushes of anxiety that I'm not meeting the assessment requirements as some assignment briefs are so vague and HAVE to re-structure and start over. It's ridiculous - all my muscles are so tensed up I feel I'm going to snap. I've experienced lesser panic and anxiety episodes in the past when studying so know I've always had a problem with it but right now, maybe because of my physical pain, its just really over the top.

When I saw the doctor last week after I got my med cert for the physical condition I started trying to explain the stress I'm having and how I'm not coping with it and she told me that I should deal with it by taking 10 minute breaks when I study. I just felt like crying. I feel so misunderstood. I can't find a way to control my episodes and its not nice for my partner to have to deal with either.

I'm not sure what to do... I'm thinking what I'm experiencing might be like the melt downs others here have mentioned. I guess I'm hoping someone can advise how to calm myself before things get out of hand. Also, I think I need medical help with this but how can I explain it to a doctor so they understand its beyond regular student stress?

It sounds like you need to take more control of your environment.
Plan on how to best study without distractions, set the stage, and set the terms how you study. You learn in a specific way. For me I NEED an engineered distraction so I generally have a certain kind of music to keep the part of my brain that gets bored active.
I suggest you try finish your assignments early, submit them, and ask for feedback if you can.

1. Eliminate all non essential activities while you are going through this intensive period of study.

2. Make sure you take time out for sleep. No one functions well on too little sleep. It will also help with your health issues.

3. Put most of your study and school work energy into the most essential courses. It may even make sense to neglect one or two of the least important ones, even to the point of failing in those, so you can have enough energy to handle the important classes. You can always retake the failed courses.

4. In future, take less courses per semester, even if it means taking longer to graduate. The amount of courses you are currently taking is obviously too much for you to handle, so cutting back is the only sensible thing to do.

Now take some deep breaths and make those changes.

Hi,

Be attune to your energy periods. For example, I might wake up at 9am and have a lot of energy between 9 and 11. In that way, I very much am a morning lark, even though I don't wake up "early." Other people might be night owls.

Use the medical cert. You don't need to be a perfect person. I tell myself that imperfections add texture to life (and sometimes that works)

Include exercise, time permitting and of your own choosing. Also fun activities, maybe alone, maybe with your partner. Maybe just watching a fun video together.

I have experimented with skimming and pre-studying, and jumping ahead even if I am behind, hopefully with the goal of getting more out of the lecture and more valuably using that time.