Scared Student Stress Will Send Me Into Debt

Palindr0mic

I'm sorry if I'm posting this in the wrong place. I'm a bit of an idiot a lot of the time I'm afraid.

I'm currently a PhD student in my final year. I'm on a really good bursary (just over £1000 monthly) and I know that should be more than enough to let me live comfortably and still save plenty. I managed to find a really cheap place to live (£350/mo) and my bills are never too high, driving lessons are one of my biggest expenses to be honest) But since I've been here my depression and eating disorder are getting a lot worse, I've spent a fortune on food and first aid supplies and some months I struggle to get by come the last week. I'm really scared I'll get into debt here, and then even more debt when I have to live without the bursary once I'm looking for jobs. I don't know what to do to sort my finances out before then, I try to budget but I can't seem to stick to it.

Can anyone help?

agrinnall

I'm not sure that you should really be asking us, wouldn't your GP and the University's student support service be better placed to offer specific help?

tiger_eyes

I don't think this is a money problem. It sounds like your financial situation would be easily manageable if you were healthy and well. Are you in treatment for your mental health?

Voyager2002

I will just add that the stress of doing a PhD, particularly the final stages, is likely to cause most people to experience some sort of mental health issues. So there is nothing unusual nor shameful about asking for help in your situation.

tiger_eyes

And FYI, a final-year PhD student cannot possibly be "a bit of an idiot a lot of the time". That's depression talking. You have a phenomenal drive and intelligence to go so far. You're going to be Dr Palindr0mic, PhD. That's badass.

Paully232000

You need to get yourself to either the student support service at yor university, or your GP, or in fact both to see how they can support you with your depression and eating disorder.

Also, you could look at your finances, and see where you can spend less, if this is possible, as you say yourself you should have some left over at the end of the month.
For this try posting on the debt-free wanabees board as there is always good advice on there if you post a statement of affairs, people can help with budgeting/cost saving.

Palindr0mic

Thank you all. I'll try getting in touch with student services. I was in therapy but the specialist place was so far away that the travelling took enough time out of my PhD that I was falling behind and getting even more stressed.

I'll try posting in the debt free wannabees board for some advice as well once I have a decent hang on posting and how to go about things properly. I'm still a bit of a newbie I'm afraid