Dealing with a bullying supervisor on university placement?

Question

My supervisor is supportive of me in many ways but when supervision time comes and I have to articulate what I have learnt, she becomes very bossy and demanding and barely gives me time to think of a response. I have it all worked out what I am going to say beforehand but I get in there and she glares at me and is very confronting. She tells me things like "Hello I am waiting for a response when I take a moment to think about it". I know she is using tactics to test me but the thing is she does not think I am learning when I understand it very well. She makes me so nervous and she is so confronting that I can barely get the words out. I know I should not be like this but I am also overcoming from a serious mental illness and need a bit of TLC. She does not know this and if she did, she would say I am not suitable to be a professional, I know her. I have skills and I know much, but it is her whole manner which I jump at and other people in the agency feel the same way. I have gotten a failure on my mid placement assessment and she said it is unlikely to pass. I am doing the best I can and travelling long distances to go there. If I say something about her manner it will make waves. She is very confronting and defensive but in a way very supportive. I do not want to give up on my dream of helping people who have gone through what I have and if I fail, they say I do not get another chance. I am so stressed and confused. Maybe I am not cut out for it.

Answer 1

She is checking you out to see how you deal with pressure, and if you are assertive enought to handle the job.

If you don't believe you are "cut out", for the job how do you think she sees you.

I woulld be interested to know what kind of job it is.  

Answer 2

Are the problems caused by the side effects of the medication that you are on?  If so, speak with your doctor.

I am enduring a similar experience at the place that I work.  They are all academics and like to talk alot and it starts to get really confusing for me as I know what I want to say but with their talking down to me, it just shuts me down altogether because I cant remember what I was going to say in the first place.  This problem is due to the medication that I am taking and unfortunately I have had two disciplinary meetings and am facing the sack. (My employers dont know that I have a mental illness and that I am taking medication).

I always try to take notes of what I am going to say with me, I keep a diary and I have a task list to keep myself on track.  See if this will help you.  Good luck.