Chances, somewhere between Buckley's and none?

[Ceke2002]

I feel crazy for even asking this, just some posts on here have got me thinking lately...

About 10 or so years ago I was accepted into a Nursing program, with the view to eventually go on and do Medicine. At the time I was just beginning the process of kicking a pretty nasty drug habit (just for full disclosure, I was a dependent heroin addict), plus I had some undiagnosed psychiatric issues that made me pretty emotionally unstable. Because of both these issues, I made a judgement call not to accept the offer of a placement in the Nursing program, and more or less gave up on the idea of pursuing medicine as little more than a pipe dream.

Fast forward a decade or so & I'm clean 10 years, I'm under the care of a good Psychiatrist, I've been diagnosed with Psychotic Major Depression, I've started on an antipsychotic, which seems to be helping, although we're still getting the dose right, and soon I'll have access to disability programs that will supposedly be working to get me back into some semblance of the work force. Currently I'm doing voluntary work online for organ donor awareness.

I get that at this very moment I'm still not well enough to even think of pursuing medical studies, but in the future, sometime, maybe? I just really like helping people, and medicine has always fascinated me. Do you know of any Doctors who have successfully negotiated medical school with a diagnosis of a psychotic type illness? Is it even possible for someone with that sort of a diagnosis to be accepted into medical school in the first place?

Do I have a hope in hell??? 😳

---

Members don't see this ad.

 

[Catalystik]

I feel crazy for even asking this, just some posts on here have got me thinking lately...

About 10 or so years ago I was accepted into a Nursing program, with the view to eventually go on and do Medicine. At the time I was just beginning the process of kicking a pretty nasty drug habit (just for full disclosure, I was a dependent heroin addict), plus I had some undiagnosed psychiatric issues that made me pretty emotionally unstable. Because of both these issues, I made a judgement call not to accept the offer of a placement in the Nursing program, and more or less gave up on the idea of pursuing medicine as little more than a pipe dream.

Fast forward a decade or so & I'm clean 10 years, I'm under the care of a good Psychiatrist, I've been diagnosed with Psychotic Major Depression, I've started on an antipsychotic, which seems to be helping, although we're still getting the dose right, and soon I'll have access to disability programs that will supposedly be working to get me back into some semblance of the work force. Currently I'm doing voluntary work online for organ donor awareness.

I get that at this very moment I'm still not well enough to even think of pursuing medical studies, but in the future, sometime, maybe? I just really like helping people, and medicine has always fascinated me. Do you know of any Doctors who have successfully negotiated medical school with a diagnosis of a psychotic type illness? Is it even possible for someone with that sort of a diagnosis to be accepted into medical school in the first place?

Do I have a hope in hell??? 😳

As with any illness, you are not obliged to disclose it on your med school application. As is true for any candidate for med school, you would be expected to demonstrate consistent excellent academics, as GPA trends that look like a roller coaster ride will raise a red flag. Your MCAT score would need to show that you mastered material presented in the prerequisites. You would need strong extracurriculars with good longevity that reveal character traits desirable in a physician. You would need to pass a background check, have a compelling Personal Statement about why you are drawn to medicine, provide strong Letters of Recommendation from faculty and others who know you well, and demonstrate good interview skills.

If you do disclose your illness, you would be wise to also make a statement about how well controlled it has been for many years. A letter of support from your long-term psychiatrist would be helpful. Past drug addiction is not a bar to med school admission (and congrats on the ten-year anniversary).

What about getting into a residency program: http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=733674

That said, once med school and internship are complete, there may be future licensing issues related to one's mental health history in some states. I don't have other information about this, as each state is different in what they require one to disclose. You might find this helpful: http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showpost.php?p=11328374&postcount=1

I've seen significant mental health issues addressed many times in the Non-Traditional Forum where older applicants hang out. You might do a Search there, or inquire to get more information.

 

[Goro]

Suggest posting this in the Confidential Cpnsult forum, where residency directors do respond to questions like these. Please consider that medical school is a furnace and can break even sane people. I've had students were were on meds stop taking them, and as such had to be dismissed.

STRONGLY suggest you ask your psychiatrist if you can handle medical school.

I feel crazy for even asking this, just some posts on here have got me thinking lately...

About 10 or so years ago I was accepted into a Nursing program, with the view to eventually go on and do Medicine. At the time I was just beginning the process of kicking a pretty nasty drug habit (just for full disclosure, I was a dependent heroin addict), plus I had some undiagnosed psychiatric issues that made me pretty emotionally unstable. Because of both these issues, I made a judgement call not to accept the offer of a placement in the Nursing program, and more or less gave up on the idea of pursuing medicine as little more than a pipe dream.

Fast forward a decade or so & I'm clean 10 years, I'm under the care of a good Psychiatrist, I've been diagnosed with Psychotic Major Depression, I've started on an antipsychotic, which seems to be helping, although we're still getting the dose right, and soon I'll have access to disability programs that will supposedly be working to get me back into some semblance of the work force. Currently I'm doing voluntary work online for organ donor awareness.

I get that at this very moment I'm still not well enough to even think of pursuing medical studies, but in the future, sometime, maybe? I just really like helping people, and medicine has always fascinated me. Do you know of any Doctors who have successfully negotiated medical school with a diagnosis of a psychotic type illness? Is it even possible for someone with that sort of a diagnosis to be accepted into medical school in the first place?

Do I have a hope in hell??? 😳

 

[Ceke2002]

Thanks for the replies, to be honest I expected to just hear 'No way, don't even bother'. 😳 I might think about doing a confidential consult like suggested. Thanks. 🙂

 

[Catalystik]

I expected to just hear 'No way, don't even bother'.

Hope you aren't too disappointed. 🙂 We've given you a lot to think about.

 

[Ceke2002]

Definitely not disappointed, a little surprised maybe. And yes, definitely lots to think about. 🙂

 

[Doodledog]

Suggest posting this in the Confidential Consult forum, where residency directors do respond to questions like these.

No, CC is for questions that one wishes to post anonymously. Also, this is a premed question, not one for aPD about residencies.

Since here, I will not repost in CC.