Anyone feel depressed?

[momgracea]

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So, here it is.... my last semester of undergrad. I have interviews lined up out of state, in addition to having interviewed already at one of my state schools. I got 4.0 last semester (yay me) and I feel pretty confident that I'll receive an acceptance to at least one school so ... why do I feel depressed??

All of a sudden, in the last few days, I realized that in 6 months time, I'm going to have to quit my job, leave my friends, uproot my family and begin what is likely to be the hardest two years of my life - - and I went from being very excited to down right sad. It's not that I don't want to do it, it's not even that I don't think I can do it, I just feel like I am in some weird state of mourning.

Has anyone else felt this way? Was there anything that helped you get out the funk?

 

[abyssinianson]

I can understand where you are coming from, afterall, things are going to be hard on you and your family. Uncertainty can get people in a funk, however, if you look at it from a perspective of the unknown being an adventure that you can take advantage of to initiate change in your life and start on the road to something that will ultimately help a lot of people out, then, all that you are about to embark on is for a bigger purpose. Hang in there. We all get into an emotional rut every so often; it is human.

 

[DrMidlife]

Nothing wrong with feeling down about a big fat scary change on its way. When I hit a slump like this, I've learned to try to stop everything and just sit there and let the feelings ride all over, see where they go, see if there's something new to learn about it all.

Here is a random selection of things I've learned from the last year's worth of slumps:
- I STILL would like to earn the approval of my dad, who wasn't a nice person, died several years ago, and never ever would have given it to me
- The idea of not getting accepted to med school scares the living crap out of me, because of the sheer failure of it all
- I actually have no idea if I can survive, much less thrive, in med school and/or residency
- Med school represents so much more than it is. It's this huge prestigious challenge from this side, and on the other side, it's just a job.
- I really, really, really, really, really want to go to med school. Bad enough to suffer through all these slumps and keep trying harder.

Hang in there.

 

[lainey234]

I don't feel depressed most times, - exhausted defintely, but not sad. Most of the time if I think about what I am doing I start FREAKING out, my kids will only be in kindergarten and 2nd grade when I matriculate. Best to not think things to death. As cheesy as it may sound it's is best to just take one step at a time, one day at a time. Breathe deep and know that you can do this, if you have gotten this far your family is probably quite supportive and they will be with you during this transition too. Good luck and great job getting this far!🙂

 

[cfdavid]

So, here it is.... my last semester of undergrad. I have interviews lined up out of state, in addition to having interviewed already at one of my state schools. I got 4.0 last semester (yay me) and I feel pretty confident that I'll receive an acceptance to at least one school so ... why do I feel depressed??

All of a sudden, in the last few days, I realized that in 6 months time, I'm going to have to quit my job, leave my friends, uproot my family and begin what is likely to be the hardest two years of my life - - and I went from being very excited to down right sad. It's not that I don't want to do it, it's not even that I don't think I can do it, I just feel like I am in some weird state of mourning.

Has anyone else felt this way? Was there anything that helped you get out the funk?

It sounds like your depression is situational. However, if it continues to persist, go see a doctor. Prolonged depression is not necessary to suffer through.

 

[RxnMan]

So, here it is.... my last semester of undergrad. I have interviews lined up out of state, in addition to having interviewed already at one of my state schools. I got 4.0 last semester (yay me) and I feel pretty confident that I'll receive an acceptance to at least one school so ... why do I feel depressed??

All of a sudden, in the last few days, I realized that in 6 months time, I'm going to have to quit my job, leave my friends, uproot my family and begin what is likely to be the hardest two years of my life - - and I went from being very excited to down right sad. It's not that I don't want to do it, it's not even that I don't think I can do it, I just feel like I am in some weird state of mourning.

Has anyone else felt this way? Was there anything that helped you get out the funk?

Everything that you're describing is fine. A lot of my classmates have talked about similar feelings after they moved from out-of-state to here. You're taking a big leap and you're going to be leaving everything that you know. That is what you're mourning. Feel confident in that you've made the right decision to follow you dream and become a doctor, but moving away is a cost that you accepted awhile ago. Keep working hard, and congrats on the 4.0.

 

[jboufe]

It's ok to be sad right now because you are leaving the old you and becoming the new you a medical student. like a caterpillar sheddind you have to come out of your cocoon and dust of your wings your almost a butterfy now you will need to learn how to fly. so cry now but smile later. take care hope that helps. jboufe

 

[billydoc]

So, here it is.... my last semester of undergrad. I have interviews lined up out of state, in addition to having interviewed already at one of my state schools. I got 4.0 last semester (yay me) and I feel pretty confident that I'll receive an acceptance to at least one school so ... why do I feel depressed??

All of a sudden, in the last few days, I realized that in 6 months time, I'm going to have to quit my job, leave my friends, uproot my family and begin what is likely to be the hardest two years of my life - - and I went from being very excited to down right sad. It's not that I don't want to do it, it's not even that I don't think I can do it, I just feel like I am in some weird state of mourning.

Has anyone else felt this way? Was there anything that helped you get out the funk?

I think you are experiencing an absolutely normal human reaction. This is not a psychoanalysis, but there is no pathology here. You are adjusting to what you've worked very hard for. It paid off. And there is no (objective) excuse not to go forward. That means a lot of changes, and changes are ALWAYS stressful, but not necessarily negative. You are overthinking, and it takes a lot of (real) energy out of you, just like a very hard physical labor does. Accept it. Say Thank You to everything and everyone (good and bad) you've met on your journey, and go on to the next challenges and rewards in your life.

Best of Luck

 

[Doctor Bagel]

There was a thread about this last year, too, so it's definitely something others of us have experienced. Last summer, I found myself dragging on finding a place to live and making moving arrangements just because I was going through this weird depressed stage where I was worried about leaving and questioning all the big changes that were going to occur in my life. Big change is stressful for all of us. Even though you're glad to become a doctor, it's still normal to feel a little blue right now about what you're giving up.

 

[DoctorMom78]

LOL! I know the feeling. I alternate between moments of complete bliss and total panic. It is a really scary thought to have to move my family to a new state away from all our extended family and friends, our jobs, and everything we have ever known. But, I feel that I am making the right decision. I love the school I am going to and I know that it is the best decsion for our future. My husband and family support me 100 percent and that helps. Besides, I know that if I choose to come back home I can. I can move after four years or after my residency or never. Med school is only four years long and that is really not that long a period of time in the overall scheme of things. Besides, it really is the best thing for your family in the long run. Not only does it provide a financial benefit, but at least in my case, I am achieving my dream and I know I will be much happier spending my life doing something I love. A happy mom is a good mom. LOL! I am sure it will all be fine. I am one of those people who believe that everything happens for a reason and I am sure you will end up where you belong. (Maybe at DCOM with me...?😉 )😀

 

[momgracea]

Thanks DoctorMom, and everyone else, for the words of encouragement! Things have been much better lately and I feel like I am coming out of my slump. I have started to put my nervous energy into planning, preparing and counting down (we actually made a calendar today - posted outside my office - with interview dates, potential decision dates, and my proposed final day of work) and that seems to have helped. I'm too busy to be depressed! 😛

I am one of those people who believe that everything happens for a reason and I am sure you will end up where you belong. (Maybe at DCOM with me...?😉 )😀

P.S. Your never know!! My hubby sure is excited about DCOM, maybe even more than me! It does sound great. And I, too, truly believe that I will wind up at that place that's just right for both me and my family. 👍 😀

 

[OneBasket]

Hey, I hear you. SO excited I got an acceptance at the one school I want to be at, but really scared and trying not to think about what this will mean for my family.

The one thing that really helps me (besides not thinking about it too much) is something my husband says to me:

Remember, LIFE'S AN ADVENTURE!

With that perspective, I find it easier to accept (and even look forward to) all of the unknowns looming ahead.

hang in there, and talk about this with the people who speak your language. Those little people in my head can drive me nuts if I just let them jabber away without talking it out with a friend, usually my hubby.

OneB

 

[MJB]

I'd feel a lot better if I could just know what was going on so I could make plans...considering I have a house to sell if I have to move.

That's what's driving me nutso.