![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 9 of 9. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by chiron on May 18, 2002, at 1:35:29
Please offer advice. I have always considered myself a mental case but when I tell people I'm crazy, they don't believe me. In other words, I hide it well and manage to function. Because of my depression history, I have always been interested in brain chemistry. Is it wrong to pursue a career in this field when I don't feel that I'm normal myself? I'd probably be taking my Prozac while studying about it! Helping people & relating to mental issues just seems like home to me.
Thanks.
Posted by Zo on May 18, 2002, at 2:54:09
In reply to Psych NP career even though I relate to patients?, posted by chiron on May 18, 2002, at 1:35:29
You mean, like, it would be a bad thing for psychiatric medicine if more people had Personal Knowledge of the suffering? Compassion? WANTED to listen to their patients? . . Actually wanted to HELP?Whoa. . .You're gonna start a revolution!
Go for it,
Zo
Posted by fi on May 18, 2002, at 5:15:39
In reply to Psych NP career even though I relate to patients?, posted by chiron on May 18, 2002, at 1:35:29
Its fine!
The only thing you need to consider is whether you can cope with the work and studying involved in the course (ie for *any* course). It that's OK, sounds a good idea- will certainly be more interesting for you!
Fi
Posted by Mair on May 18, 2002, at 8:31:42
In reply to Re: Psych NP career even though I relate to patients? » chiron, posted by fi on May 18, 2002, at 5:15:39
I'm sure the medical/mental health community contains the same cross-section of humanity as does every other profession. This means that there are plenty of mental health professionals out there with personal mental health issues. Besides, like Zo said, how wonderful that you can bring a more experienced perspective.
Mair
Posted by sid on May 18, 2002, at 13:31:38
In reply to Psych NP career even though I relate to patients?, posted by chiron on May 18, 2002, at 1:35:29
I do believe that most people in psych careers are there because they had to deal with psych problems. I may be wrong by saying most - but certainly many.
You're not crazy, you're human. Many people don't realize they have psych problems. Our only "fault" is to be intelligent enough to realize we have problems.- sid
Posted by Analine on May 18, 2002, at 19:53:15
In reply to Psych NP career even though I relate to patients?, posted by chiron on May 18, 2002, at 1:35:29
hi,
it's so nice that you want to help people :)
i also have depression and i think a social phobia, but i want to help people too so im studying psychology.
i think it adds a whole other dimension when sufferers of mental illness actually turn around and use their experience to help other people. i think it's a wonderful idea :)
good luck!!!
p.s. i don't think there's any such thing as NORMAL, just different combinations of chemicals and personality traits yadda yadda... so don't feel like you 'shouldn't' go into it because you don't feel normal :)
xxx
Posted by Penny on May 18, 2002, at 23:00:47
In reply to Psych NP career even though I relate to patients?, posted by chiron on May 18, 2002, at 1:35:29
I, too, am looking at a career in psychiatry. I think folks like us will make much better practioners than folks who don't have the 'personal' connection. Best of luck with this!
Penny
Posted by KB on May 19, 2002, at 14:12:50
In reply to Re: Psych NP career even though I relate to patients?, posted by Penny on May 18, 2002, at 23:00:47
I work in the mental health field and am a patient myself. In general it works out pretty well - supervision and my personal therapy help me keep my personal issues from interfering too much with my work. There are a couple things to consider - confidentiality is a big one - I'm in NYC so it's not as difficult but you don't want to wind up in a position where you're seeking treatment from colleagues. Another is that certain aspects of the work may be especially difficult for you - for me doing involuntary hospitalizations is extra painful because I know how much I would've hated it if someone were to do it to me.
Posted by Krazy Kat on May 20, 2002, at 18:26:25
In reply to Psych NP career even though I relate to patients?, posted by chiron on May 18, 2002, at 1:35:29
Good question. I agree that the only concern is what limitations your illness could have on the work. You would be expected to be available/responsible (i.e. you couldn't hide in the closet all day all the time like.. me :)). But you'd have so much more insight, not only into your patients, but also into yourself and how to Treat your illness.
Seems like a good idea to me.
- kk
This is the end of the thread.
Psycho-Babble Social | Extras | FAQ
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.org
Script revised: February 4, 2008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
Copyright 2006-17 Robert Hsiung.
Owned and operated by Dr. Bob LLC and not the University of Chicago.