Can depression impede the ability to learn? Or could a learning disability lead to depression?

Question

I'm currently in law school. I have a very hard time processing the vast amounts of information and even retaining it. In college I had similar problems but had more time to compensate. Now, there's so much work that if I take extra time to understand one class, I won't be able to keep up with the rest. But everyone else seems to cope and understand, and they can juggle extracurriculars, too. With that in mind, I feel like I might have some learning disability.

This learning issue has left me really depressed, I think. I don't even want to get up in the morning b/c I know what lies ahead of me is stress and anxiety. People in class participate naturally, but when I'm called on, my brain locks up and I can't put my thoughts together. It follows that I've come to dislike school and my grades reflect that, too.

So might I be depressed which affects how I learn? Or am I learning disabled which contributes to depression? I want to fix this so I can feel good/happy again.

Answer 1

This is just my personal experience: If I feel like there are tons of papers/work to do, I lose motivation. Then I feel guilty that I'm not on top of things. Is this how you feel? I think it's natural, I don't think it's because we're disabled, there's just a lot of work and stress and it's a vicious cycle when the load is high. My husband's advice is to take it one day at a time, one paper, one book at a time instead of despairing over the entire mound of work. One day at a time. You also need to play hard just as much as you work hard. Treat yourself to a little something now and then, it doesn't have to be big but reward yourself for going through law school! Also, I realized that other students are just as stressed as me. Sometimes people who seem really strong/attentive in class, I find out that all they do is go out and drink afterwards, not homework. Don't set up this negative illusion for yourself that you can't hang with law school, because you're in and you're a valid contender. A small trick that someone has been telling me when processing large volumes of info is to summarize it in 1 phrase or sentence in my own words every now and then, to make sure I'm staying on track with all the reading. I often feel just the way you do. Not many people have the courage to mention these feelings, though. Thanks for being honest.

Answer 2

Depression can make it hard to concentrate. Loss of concentration is one of the listed symptoms of depression.

That being said, if you have a genuine learning disability that is causing you to do poorly in your classes, thus undermining your future, it's certainly possible that THAT is causing your depression.

You may want to see a therapist. If you go to a large university, there are probably free counseling and LD testing resources at your disposal. Good luck.

Answer 3

I have ADD, which became a problem around the age of 8 and remained undiagnosed until the age of 22. I spent my life annoying the people around me, losing friends because I was annoying, being punished for not finishing my schoolwork fast enough (or at all), facing accusations of being lazy, making elaborate plans to change myself, failing miserably in my attempts to change things, and hating myself for it.
Who wouldn't be depressed?
You should talk to someone about it, and maybe see about being tested. Best of luck.

Answer 4

Works both ways. Go see a mental heath clinic and get counseling.

Answer 5

Both.