You may wonder why this is in this section by the title, but yes, it is meant to be here. You probably know that I loathe public school, or any school other than homeschool for that matter. For 8 years, I lived in a house where meth was cooked in the bathroom, although we didn't know that until it was way too late. During those years, that house ate away at my immune system, causing the recurrent bouts of tonsillitis. And the fact that I was going to school with hundreds of germy kids, made it worse, so I would get sick so much, sometimes 2 weeks at a time. One of those times, I slept through a drug bust next door. So for that reason, among others, my parents took me out of school and into homeschool. I didn't get sick at all once taken away from all the viruses and bacteria all over the school. But financially, we had to move. I was slacking off in homeschool, so my parents won't let me do that again, especially with how much materials cost. Last year I got a plant thrown on me, and everyone seems to have an allergic reaction to that plant, but it kept me out of school for the last 2 weeks of last year, the most fun 2 weeks as well. Six days into this year, I got so ill, every time I would walk, I was afraid my knees would give out. This has kept me out of school for the last month and a half, with needing to have my tonsils and adenoids out. And now I'm feeling sick, and I think it's psychological, because now school just literally makes me sick. When I feel sick every time I think of school, it's because I automatically associate school with illness. Is there a way to convince my parents that it's better for me to be out of school, either doing the work or slacking off, than become physically ill in a public school, or at least something to help my immune system? Another problem I have with school is that I'm nocturnal, it just doesn't feel natural to be awake during the day, and if I'm forced to take classes I don't want, shouldn't I be able to choose the time of day I take them? I just don't understand why I'm nocturnal, and the only explanation I can think of is that Insomnia runs in my family, but I don't have trouble sleeping, just sleeping when I am supposed to. I just don't see how this can be helped. So, if you could actually sit through this and read it, I commend you, because it is pretty long, and thanks for actually taking the time to read this.
To start with; FOR FAGGOD's SAKE, USE PARAGRAPHS! *ahum* Now back on topic, when you say public school I assume you mean school with other kids not in the public or private meaning. If you are refering to the public schools as 'dirtier' then private schools, you will find that's completely wrong and there is 'very' little difference. Low immunities, okay yes your environment can contribute to it but normally not so much. I'm going to be blunt and ask if you have ever been sexually abused? Could you please give a rundown of your diet? There isn't really such a thing as being nocturnal, but it is possible to have a completely messed up biological clock. This is completely fixable, if you want help on that ask and im sure myself and Kara can come up with something later on, but to start with I suggest you stop using a computer or watching TV after 9pm. There is a possibility that it could be a temporary sertosis (I think that's what it is) imbalance, this can occure during the onset of puberty. As for hating school, that is totally understandable. People always associate reoccuring negitive experiences with their environment, but in truth it could just be the stress of going to school that causes you to get sick. The Placebo effect is amazingly powerful. I suggest that you try to convince your mom to let you stay away from school for a while, until you have things sorted out.
To clarify.... a) When I say public school, I mean school around so many people. b) I have never been sexually abused. c) I've tried so many things to get my biological clock fixed, and yes, I know that I'm not technically "nocturnal" but I'm awake all night, and tired all day, and I can't seem to fix it, and it is a rare occasion that I sleep like a normal human being. d) I get bored very easily, and I just have to do something, so at night, I get very bored of staring at the ceiling, so I find something to do.
Well, the hormone which previously was thought to be controlled soley by our biological clock; serotosis, or was it sertonis... (I seriously can't be bothered to look it up) is also directly connected to the way we see light. A computer screen, or a TV close to you eyes will convince your body that the sun is still up and not time to sleep, thus the hormone which is used to make you sleepy is not released. The 'nocturnal' state is common in young teenagers and it hard to break because your biological clock gets use to it, so to get back to a normal sleeping routine you have to adjust your biological clock aswel as many habbits. There is no way your going to 'fix' your sleeping routine just by forcing yourself to lay in bed at 10pm for a few days. You will need to slowly adjust the time you go to sleep and when you stop exercise and computing accordingly. If you're willing to try, set yourself a bedtime which would suit your sleeping patterns at the moment. Get off the computer 40 minutes before that time. Every night adjust both times 10 minutes earlier. Don't exercise before bed, don't eat and no sugary/caffein drinks. Also, do you think you have a good diet. Frankly, if you're living off hot chips and take out, your immune system is going to be absolute shit.
The symptoms that you list are common to many diseases and conditions. Probably the place to start would be a physical with a blood workup. Gumtree: I think you're thinking of "serotonin"?
I work with someone who is alittle older, but has many of the same problems. I don't have enough fingers and toes to list her medical problems. But for starters she has no white blood cells what-so-ever. She will get any sickness and every sickness people bring into work. So that sounds alot like your situation. Secondly, you're association of school with sickness. Its a really deep point you brought up, and is completely valid. But say, think hypothetically, would you enjoy school in the first place minus the illnesses? Are you somebody who ever looked forward to going to school? I know from experience, I never really liked school, I didn't want to go. So..something to think about. Thirdly, being nocturnal. It's 3:30 in the morning right now, I'll probably be up for another hour. Alot of people I know like the night better. I work nights. To me its more of a preference. I'm not saying that some sort of hormone might causing that, but I'm no doctor. So hope this helps alittle!
Okay, so I moved into the problem house right before 1st grade, and I liked school for years. But when I started getting very ill so frequently, around 5th grade, is when I started hating it. It is just that being around so many people at school, I get any and every virus that goes around, so I automatically associate school with illness. The doctors give me so many medications when I get sick, yet it takes forever to work, if it even does work. I have stumped many doctors on why things don't go away. I just take forever to get over things. Kara, exactly what would this physical be composed of?
I'm really no expert on the subject but it sounds almost like you need to be learning somewhere that's safe (health-wise) for you. Homeschooling sounds really the best option. I mean, its not really productive to go to public schools when all you get is sick. I really do feel feel for the situation you've been put in. I wish I could suggest something to help. And Kara was suggesting you go to your doctor for a physical (its like the 40 point inspection at Mr. Lube - only on you) and they look you over, and take a blood sample to be tested. I'd think since you said you've been to doctors before that this has already happened.
Unfortunately school isn't only about academic learning, it teaches us socialisation skills and prepares you for the adult (working) life that you will lead for the rest of your life... getting up on time, respecting time tables, following often silly or petty rules, working as a team, accepting authority, etc. How on earth do you want to teach kids if everyone has the right to chose when they are going to get up and attend lessons, teachers have rights to, the right to sleep at night and spend time with their families. I understand your fragile health issues but unless you are going to become a night watchman your futur will be limited if you can't have contact with the common masses. You might want to think about therapy to sort out this almost mini phobia of contact with others and your fear of getting sick.
Aye that's it! I was a short lesson a long time ago but I think the basis of it is Serotonin produces melatonin or something like that during the night. During different stages of your lifecycle you produce different levels of these hormones and at different times. A typical adult or child will have have the hormone kick in at like 9-11pm, but adolescents don't produce it until 12.30-1am (This means that an adolescent can be in a 'deep sleep' state at hours adults and children can't and vica versa - thus the reason Australian government is considering changing the hours Highschools operate). During the early stages of puberty, combined with a whacked up bilogical clock and bad habbits at night, you can find yourself as you said; seemingly "nocturnal".
