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In the Why are eating disorders such a popular specialty? thread, psychanon replied, "People are usually interested in studying what they know or can relate to."
This brings to mind conflicting advice I have received from various sources. There are people in one camp who subscribe to the idea that you should conduct research and/or work in an area that you are passionate about, which is usually something you are close to for whatever reason. Perhaps because you, yourself, have experienced problems in that area, or perhaps because you know someone who has experienced problems in that area. In other words, you or someone you know has struggled with an eating disorder, has been raped or abused as a child, has struggled with depression and contemplated/attempted suicide, has survived a war, or whatever, so you work in an area related to eating disorders, or sex offenses, or suicide, or trauma . . . or [fill in the blank].
People in this second camp, however, believe that you should not work in an area that you have "too much" personal experience in, as it may cause more harm than good. So, if you were abused as a child or if you have contemplated suicide, you should most definitely not be working with child abuse victims/offenders or suicidal individuals or, in the case of the original thread, eating disorders.
So what do you think? Should we work in areas that we might be "too close to" because of our own past experiences or the experiences of those we know? Or should we find something else to be passionate about?
Discuss.
This brings to mind conflicting advice I have received from various sources. There are people in one camp who subscribe to the idea that you should conduct research and/or work in an area that you are passionate about, which is usually something you are close to for whatever reason. Perhaps because you, yourself, have experienced problems in that area, or perhaps because you know someone who has experienced problems in that area. In other words, you or someone you know has struggled with an eating disorder, has been raped or abused as a child, has struggled with depression and contemplated/attempted suicide, has survived a war, or whatever, so you work in an area related to eating disorders, or sex offenses, or suicide, or trauma . . . or [fill in the blank].
People in this second camp, however, believe that you should not work in an area that you have "too much" personal experience in, as it may cause more harm than good. So, if you were abused as a child or if you have contemplated suicide, you should most definitely not be working with child abuse victims/offenders or suicidal individuals or, in the case of the original thread, eating disorders.
So what do you think? Should we work in areas that we might be "too close to" because of our own past experiences or the experiences of those we know? Or should we find something else to be passionate about?
Discuss.
