Where do I go for help (long post). Please be nice, I honestly feel embarrassed to be even asking about this.

[KinkySanta]

Just a warning for those expecting another tale of "KinkySanta messed up and has another quirky embarrassing story to share" you won't be getting that in this thread.

For the past few months I've been getting increasingly sad due to some troubles with school. Basically I've failed algebra1 about 5 times now with me doing my homework every single day and meeting up with a tutor every week. Every test I take I give it my all and end up getting a 0 in return. My professor told me to get tested for a learning disability. The testing came back that I'm severely learning disabled in math (and since I was at an online school from middle school to high school this went unnoticed.) Even with the "special help" that the college offered for my disability I still showed no improvement. 

  Pretty much I'll never get a degree simply because I struggle in math so intensely (I'm getting B's and A's in all my other subjects). Every uni I look at requires at least Algebra 2 to transfer, so I'll be the first in my family to never even make it to college. Most importantly this means my dreams that I've had since I was a child of going through medical school to become a psychiatrist will sure as hell never happen. I'm currently being locked out of my community college for the semester.

  When I express all of this to my Mom she tells me that I'm just not trying hard enough. When I express to her that I'm feeling increasingly hopeless she just says, "don't be sad". I overheard some family members discuss how I'm not making much progress in school and I heard them expressing concern that I'm becoming a "loser".

  Long story short I've been getting increasingly sad since the diagnosis in November. These days I wake up just wanting to go to bed and usually stay in bed for 3 to 4 hours after I wake up (if I don't have work that day). Recently I've been just taking a bunch of sleeping pills so I can just be done and asleep by 7 or 8 because I just don't want to be up. In this past month of January I've been thinking about ending things just more and more. 

  I don't want to be in this state of mind, it's miserable and I'm way too chicken to kill myself. Do I go to a psychiatrist or a psychologist. I've never really dealt with this before and don't know whether this is a case of needing pills or not.

Thanks for reading all the way through if you did.

[myreflections]

how about trying to pick up math from the beginning?

i mean.. compared to going to a shrink or something, isn't much useful and helping to just take math from scratch and build up?

if the story is true and you do have that disability for math, just start from grade 1 and learn it all over again.

 

not everyone is a genius in all courses. I myself am not very strong with maths. 

take it from the beginning, one grade at a time.

 

if that is the only problematic course, then maybe you can put college on hold for a while and focus only on recovering on maths. then take all the exams again.

 

try to think about it practically. doctors will help you mentally, but it won't help solve the problem: not being good in maths.

[Darling]

ohmygod

 

we could help each other

[ETB5]

I'm glad you're not thinking about ending your life. Nothing is worth ending your life over. If you can, do try to go to a psychologist, the psychologist will determine if you need a psychiatrist. Stay strong, everything will fall into place, it always does. 

[Dori]

I think you shouldn't be so depressed. Everybody has their strengths and weaknesses, and this happens to be one of your weaknesses. Getting sad and pitying yourself won't get you anywhere. If you want something, you have to work hard for it. I agree with the previous comment in that you should try relearning math and it'll all make sense or fall into place. Never give up though. If you need any help with and math problems, you should inbox me. I'll try my best to help you get it (I'm currently tutoring my little brother in algebra 1 too)

[victaorious]

Well #1 don't end things, live on for nothing else than just out of curiosity. (There was a story I read where they interviewed survivors of suicide attempts from the Golden Gate bridge and all of them said on the way down they realized their problems were solvable. I'd link it but I don't have that link, sorry)

 

There must be some way to get around this policy, since you have a learning disability and that type of math doesn't seem necessary for your dream job.

 

Are there psychiatrists you can talk to? Not only for seeking personal help for your mental state but also for job advice?

 

It's better to personally talk to people on the phone or in person at these schools rather than feel blocked by the requirements. Someone out there hopefully can help you. Otherwise try to think of other ways you can get a foot in the door towards your career. I'm not related to this field so I can't give you much advice there, otter than to never give up!

[Sooyoung's Wife]

Aw I'm sorry to hear about that :( I'm currently taking Algebra 2 for the third year in a row, so I know how you feel. It sounds like your family isn't supportive at all. If you family doesn't understand your situation then you shouldn't listen to them because you're not a loser at all. You're taking the class a 5th time and you even have a tutor, I think that shows a hell of a lot of determination. Even though I'm not that good with math, I could help you because Algebra 1 was fairly easy for me. 

For the psychologist/psychiatrist thing.. it depends what you're seeking from them. Do you want to talk about the situation with someone to try to rid of the suicidal thoughts you have? You'd seek out a therapist for that. If you want to be put on some kind of medication then you'd see a psychiatrist. 

Please don't think less of yourself because of this disability. Math has made me feel pretty worthless too, but it's not the end of the world if you can't understand it. I think you need to look for a tutor that can work with your disability instead of an ordinary one. 

[memejae]

I can't diagnose you since I've only studied psychology for a few years but from your words, you may have fallen into depression, which is nothing to be embarrassed of since you can't control it. we all need help sometimes so I would suggest talking with a psychologist. try to work from there. good luck.

[Seulgi's Gf]

you're becoming depressed and honestly i'm so sorry because depression is such a terrible thing to feel. i don't know what to say except that i can sympathize almost exactly with your situation. grades, stress, disability, u know. one thing to know is that you're not alone in this. as for the algebra thing in itself, have you tried getting tutoring? 

 

also since it sounds like you're developing depression i suggest you see a psychologist or a counselor or maybe if it's where you live, get yourself baker acted. a psychologist will listen and diagnose you, a counselor will talk you through shit, and if you get baker acted you'll talk to psychologists and you'll receive medication that should help your growing depression.

 

and honestly, i hope you never end your life, but if you really do i will respect it because you will be happy. you might find peace and i can't hate you for that. you seem like a sweet person and very nice and whatever it takes for you to be content should be supported even if it hurts.

 

i don't think i helped much, but yeah, i get it. if you ever need to talk please come to me or someone else or family or a friend or something.

[palechibi]

this was my problem in high school i was failing for like 2 years just barley getting by with BOTH math in english and i felt even worse because i had a teach who seemed to just enjoy seeing me fail but my last two years i got homeschooled and slowly but surely picked it up and ended with As in everything, graduated about 3 months late but w/e

[Jennifer]

is the math before alg 1 difficult for you?

like exponents, pythagorean theorem, etc.?

start with 7/8th grade math if you feel like alg 1 is difficult. it might help you find the root to your problem.

 

btw, just look on youtube to find some videos to help you figure out what they mean when solving problems

some teachers can be fabulous at teaching -- making it sound so easy.

the thing about math is... anyone can do it, it's like a language of it's own. start from the bottom, then work your way up.

it will be difficult but in the end, you'll be like, "dude this is so easy i could do it in my sleep!!"

 

also, your tutor might be really bad at explaining.

you need one that's great at explaining and patient in order to succeed in some way.

dont give up, the most successful people are successful because they earned it through working some kind of hardship, just continue on -- as hopeless as you may feel!

 

good luck

[Gloupipoo]

In Canada you can get the government's exemption for maths and still pursue your college studies (my friend who had a brain hemorrhage got an exemption after reaching a grade 10 level, and she went to college in languages and then speech pathology. She was super smart.)

Check if this also applies in your country and try to get exempted

 

 

 

Anyone suggesting that you can improve your math potential in some way or another above has no understanding of what a learning disability's limitations are. 

[myreflections]

In Canada you can get the government's exemption for maths and still pursue your college studies (my friend who had a brain hemorrhage got an exemption after reaching a grade 10 level, and she went to college in languages and then speech pathology. She was super smart.)

 

Check if this also applies in your country and try to get exempted

 

 

 

Anyone suggesting that you can improve your math potential in some way or another above has no understanding of what a learning disability's limitations are. 

 

 

i am not familiar with the precise limitations of disabilities... but if a blind person can read, through a different means but reads nonetheless, it doesn't hurt to try taking it back to the basis and picking it up again. 

yes, they have limitations, but shouldn't she/he at least try all ways possible before saying "i just can't"?

better regret trying all methods and coming to the conclusion "i can't" than to not try it at all and just surrender to it.

maybe she/he can move past those limitations.

it doesn't hurt to try and with proper support and encouragement, the depression might also fade away

[Unafraid]

First off, you shouldn't be embarrassed about asking for help, thats the way that things get better, second I agree with the people saying that you should try to relearn math, going through the entire process or even just some of it might help you understand math. Another thing would be your tutor or teacher, since everyone has a different teaching method it maybe that they are not able to help with the specifics you need or dont understand. I hope that things get better for you and that you find a solution, just remember there is a answer for everything, you just need to keep looking and asking.

[Gloupipoo]

i am not familiar with the precise limitations of disabilities... but if a blind person can read, through a different means but reads nonetheless, it doesn't hurt to try taking it back to the basis and picking it up again. 

yes, they have limitations, but shouldn't she/he at least try all ways possible before saying "i just can't"?

better regret trying all methods and coming to the conclusion "i can't" than to not try it at all and just surrender to it.

maybe she/he can move past those limitations.

it doesn't hurt to try and with proper support and encouragement, the depression might also fade away

 

Trust me, if she was diagnosed with it it means she's reached her limit. At this point "relearning maths" as you suggest it will only make her depressed and is highly unlikely to change the final result. It's not like the government goes "oh hey, you can't do maths anymore? Let me give you a paper that testifies so" for everyone, there's a long process to it.

[myreflections]

Trust me, if she was diagnosed with it it means she's reached her limit. At this point "relearning maths" as you suggest it will only make her depressed and is highly unlikely to change the final result. It's not like the government goes "oh hey, you can't do maths anymore? Let me give you a paper that testifies so" for everyone, there's a long process to it.

 

why is her being diagnosed the limit? it was the discovery. it's the medical explanation for why she can't do math.  at least that's how I would see the situation if it were me.

perhaps it's just my personality, but i feel giving a positive approach and a practical approach to things could prove to be more settling than just surrendering to an idea or a medical result. 

then again, I do not have medical expertise in this. my personality does not allow me to just accept something without trying all options possible. 

in the end, everyone is different. 

 

i hope for the best for OP. I'd want to say college isn't everything but in some societies it is. 

[Gloupipoo]

why is her being diagnosed the limit? it was the discovery. it's the medical explanation for why she can't do math.  at least that's how I would see the situation if it were me.

perhaps it's just my personality, but i feel giving a positive approach and a practical approach to things could prove to be more settling than just surrendering to an idea or a medical result. 

then again, I do not have medical expertise in this. my personality does not allow me to just accept something without trying all options possible. 

in the end, everyone is different. 

 

i hope for the best for OP. I'd want to say college isn't everything but in some societies it is. 

 

The person took Algebra 1 a total amount of 5 times, with a tutor. I'm pretty sure the tutor went back to previous maths classes to build back from there, and it proved to be unsuccessful. 

 

Dyscalculia is something I deal with in the classroom with students as it is as prevalent as dyslexia in society (I'm a teacher). There's little research done about it, but it is considered a LD  and once you reach your limit, there's not much you can do about it. It's like asking a dyslexic person to "relearn to read". They can, up to a certain point. Once that point is reached, all you can give them is supplementary tools to help them (WordQ, more time, using text strategies with the steps highlighted for them, zooming texts, etc.) but they won't get better. 

[daebakplushies]

you will need Calculus for medical school so I would suggest to find a specialist or a second opinnion. Don't give up just yet.

[shaishaix]

The key to math is multiplications ....

 

Turn it into a game ...

 

Algebra is memorizing formula ...

 

Since you can probably know majority of KPOP artists ... Turn the formula into some of your bias

 

I hope this helps ...

 

Also, when you get to the answer. Understand how you got there. Even if you take forever on a problem, understand how you got your answer ... Because once you understand it, there wouldn't be a need for memorizing

[daebakplushies]

The person took Algebra 1 a total amount of 5 times, with a tutor. I'm pretty sure the tutor went back to previous maths classes to build back from there, and it proved to be unsuccessful. 

 

Dyscalculia is something I deal with in the classroom with students as it is as prevalent as dyslexia in society (I'm a teacher). There's little research done about it, but it is considered a LD  and once you reach your limit, there's not much you can do about it. It's like asking a dyslexic person to "relearn to read". They can, up to a certain point. Once that point is reached, all you can give them is supplementary tools to help them (WordQ, more time, using text strategies with the steps highlighted for them, zooming texts, etc.) but they won't get better. 

 Galileo galilei and Albert einstein were both dyslexic.

[Gloupipoo]

 Galileo galilei and Albert einstein were both dyslexic.

 

not all dyslexics have dyscalculia so what's your point?

[daebakplushies]

not all dyslexics have dyscalculia so what's your point?

 My point is... those men had to do a lot of reading even if it was hard for them. This girl is struggling with math but it is not impossible for her at least not for now she just found out about her condition and that's a awesome advantage don't you think?

[Gloupipoo]

 My point is... those man had to do a lot of reading even if it was hard for them. This girl is struggling with math but it is not impossible for her at least not for now she just found out about her condition and that's a awesome advantage don't you think?

 

I didn't say you can't read when you have dyslexia, just that you reach a certain point where you no longer can improve. Same goes for dyscalculia. I still don't see your point and most people here never had to deal with a LD so your baseless optimism leads to nothing. 

[Midna]

I didn't say you can't read when you have dyslexia, just that you reach a certain point where you no longer can improve. Same goes for dyscalculia. I still don't see your point and most people here never had to deal with a LD so your baseless optimism leads to nothing. 

 

true

 

my friend has a learning disability and she never takes finals with the rest of our classmates for courses. She has to make an appt with the Learning Centre at our uni to take them there.

[daebakplushies]

I didn't say you can't read when you have dyslexia, just that you reach a certain point where you no longer can improve. Same goes for dyscalculia. I still don't see your point and most people here never had to deal with a LD so your baseless optimism leads to nothing. 

 

how can you tell a patient reach a point when she barely got a diagnosis? This is just step number one for her there is a lot to do now that she found out and start a treatment. It is not about optimism is about science and testing.