Depression, lack of motivation, etc.

[laxgirl06]

Hi guys,
It's me, again. I just wanted to ask you guys how you beat 'pre-med depression.' It feels like the world is swallowing me whole. I studied for 3 weeks+ for an ochem exam and got a B on it..... because I barely studied for my anatomy exam the following day, I got a D on that and it dropped my avg 6.5 points.... I'm not sure what happens next.... I'm suffering from an extreme lack of motivation, depression, etc. I'm not sure about anything. Last semester was rough.... this semester NEEDS to be stellar, but I have final exams next week and I need to get my head back in the game, and need help with that... and just pre-med motivation and being pre-med in general.....I'm not doing it right.... it's too much of a struggle...

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[LSD-25]

Hi guys,
It's me, again. I just wanted to ask you guys how you beat 'pre-med depression.' It feels like the world is swallowing me whole. I studied for 3 weeks+ for an ochem exam and got a B on it..... because I barely studied for my anatomy exam the following day, I got a D on that and it dropped my avg 6.5 points.... I'm not sure what happens next.... I'm suffering from an extreme lack of motivation, depression, etc. I'm not sure about anything. Last semester was rough.... this semester NEEDS to be stellar, but I have final exams next week and I need to get my head back in the game, and need help with that... and just pre-med motivation and being pre-med in general.....I'm not doing it right.... it's too much of a struggle...

Just take a break from things. dont overload on units or spend all your time studying. take time to enjoy life and exercise. Don't cram in a million difficult classes and activities. Do it little by little. You can do it. Also don't define your happiness by grades alone and academic success. If it gets too bad don't be afraid to take a semester break/withdraw. Also form study groups with friends to make things more fun so you're less alone.

 

[Lawpy]

As @Goro would say, i recommend using your university's counseling centers to remedy your depression. It's a serious issue that can deteriorate very fast if left untreated.

 

[sunshine02]

Hey OP, just wanted to let you know that you aren't alone! I, too, have studied very very hard for an exam only to get back disappointing results. What I find that helps is to talk to a friend, a professor, or someone you trust. Really. Just go do it. Talk to them. It helps a lot, especially if you talk to older students and they can give you some perspective.

 

[moisne]

Hi guys,
It's me, again. I just wanted to ask you guys how you beat 'pre-med depression.' It feels like the world is swallowing me whole. I studied for 3 weeks+ for an ochem exam and got a B on it..... because I barely studied for my anatomy exam the following day, I got a D on that and it dropped my avg 6.5 points.... I'm not sure what happens next.... I'm suffering from an extreme lack of motivation, depression, etc. I'm not sure about anything. Last semester was rough.... this semester NEEDS to be stellar, but I have final exams next week and I need to get my head back in the game, and need help with that... and just pre-med motivation and being pre-med in general.....I'm not doing it right.... it's too much of a struggle...

Haha... I'm totally suffering from it as well (1:33 am here*).

Some days you just gotta buckle down and force yourself to do it.

Here's what works for me - sometimes I realize if I start to study and get the ball rolling, it goes a lot better. It's just really hard to motivate myself to open a book and study. You aren't alone on this, but I would recommend you fix this problem of yours before you get into/start med school...

 

[Goro]

As Lawper advised, depression is poorly managed on anonymous internet message boards.

Get help NOW.

Hi guys,
It's me, again. I just wanted to ask you guys how you beat 'pre-med depression.' It feels like the world is swallowing me whole. I studied for 3 weeks+ for an ochem exam and got a B on it..... because I barely studied for my anatomy exam the following day, I got a D on that and it dropped my avg 6.5 points.... I'm not sure what happens next.... I'm suffering from an extreme lack of motivation, depression, etc. I'm not sure about anything. Last semester was rough.... this semester NEEDS to be stellar, but I have final exams next week and I need to get my head back in the game, and need help with that... and just pre-med motivation and being pre-med in general.....I'm not doing it right.... it's too much of a struggle...

 

[Yoshers]

Hi guys,
It's me, again. I just wanted to ask you guys how you beat 'pre-med depression.' It feels like the world is swallowing me whole. I studied for 3 weeks+ for an ochem exam and got a B on it..... because I barely studied for my anatomy exam the following day, I got a D on that and it dropped my avg 6.5 points.... I'm not sure what happens next.... I'm suffering from an extreme lack of motivation, depression, etc. I'm not sure about anything. Last semester was rough.... this semester NEEDS to be stellar, but I have final exams next week and I need to get my head back in the game, and need help with that... and just pre-med motivation and being pre-med in general.....I'm not doing it right.... it's too much of a struggle...

Get organized and make a plan. Set realistic goals and knock them off your list one by one. For me, it helps so much to surround myself around friends who are extremely motivated and determined to do well. We set up a time to meet a couple days before each exam. The plan is to prepare as much independently before we meet, then make a study guide together once we meet.

 

[Earl Simmons]

Get help is the best advice anyone can give for depression.

As for motivation, I imagined being at White Coat Ceremony with family and friends and that mental image motivated me.

 

[ranob]

Re: studying for 3+ weeks: you're doing it wrong. Find a better study strategy for future courses. It shouldn't take more than 24 hours (3 days, 8 hours/day) to study for an exam.

Re: 'pre-med depression': I wouldn't recommend the counseling centers as the last thing you want the people writing your recs (and by extension, med schools) to know is that you're depressed. So be careful. Depression is nature's way of telling you you don't have enough on your plate; if you have time to spare, spend it accomplishing something substantial and you'll feel much better.

Re: final exams next week: Go to the library. Find an empty room. Spend 8 hours studying. You'll feel better once you start studying.

Good luck with finals~

 

[electrophile1984]

Depression is nature's way of telling you you don't have enough on your plate

I would disagree with this

 

[NeuResurgens]

Have you felt like this before and come out of it? If not, see a professional. You might need treatment. Poor grades is just one consequence of depression.

Besides this, the fundamentals are there for you to try. Sleep at least 7.5 hours a night and get up without laying in bed. Try to exercise for 30 minutes, 5 days out of 7. These are the cookie cutter answers and don't work for everyone, but if you're not already doing them, they are worthy of trying.

 

[altblue]

Have you felt like this before and come out of it? If not, see a professional. You might need treatment. Poor grades is just one consequence of depression.

Besides this, the fundamentals are there for you to try. Sleep at least 7.5 hours a night and get up without laying in bed. Try to exercise for 30 minutes, 5 days out of 7. These are the cookie cutter answers and don't work for everyone, but if you're not already doing them, they are worthy of trying.

I'd consider these sort of things the requisites for simply feeling stable. Very few people, even without depression, are happy when they're regularly getting 4-5 hours of sleep, taking 15+ credits and getting poor grades.

That said, we don't know enough about OP's situation (and can't reasonably hope to!), and like others have said they should speak to someone who's also trained to deal with sort of thing. Campus resources are good, and outside resources like social workers and psychologists are good too.

 

[optimistic3]

Honestly, I've found that excelling helps get me out of my depressive funk. Once I start to do better and get more done, I start to feel a lot better. Working with friends and classmates really helps that as I'm often an inefficient studier so sometimes studying with someone else helps get the ball rolling earlier than I would have done it on my own. This, of course, turns into better grades which turns into a better mood.

 

[Neutropix]

I have hobbies that really help with depression (something I've struggled w/ throughout my life). I'm also a huge believer in the benefits of healthy eating and physical fitness.

OP, I'd suggest looking at what you are eating (nutrient dense foods, proteins, caffeine intake), if you exercise, and if you have fun outside of school. Undergrad is a balancing beam. If you feel like you're killing yourself take time off or take less classes.

 

[wegotthis14]

Re: studying for 3+ weeks: you're doing it wrong. Find a better study strategy for future courses. It shouldn't take more than 24 hours (3 days, 8 hours/day) to study for an exam.

Re: 'pre-med depression': I wouldn't recommend the counseling centers as the last thing you want the people writing your recs (and by extension, med schools) to know is that you're depressed. So be careful. Depression is nature's way of telling you you don't have enough on your plate; if you have time to spare, spend it accomplishing something substantial and you'll feel much better.

Re: final exams next week: Go to the library. Find an empty room. Spend 8 hours studying. You'll feel better once you start studying.

Good luck with finals~

There's no way your rec letter writers or med schools would find out. This information is kept confidential by law. Don't be scared to seek help.

 

[ddmbmom]

Depression sucks. The ideas suggested are good ones. Of course its ultimately individual. For sure having a professional to talk to is worth it, friends can repeat things to others, etc. that further hurt how you feel. Lots of good choices for meds these days, was not the case even just 10 years ago. Trust me, I know what I'm talking about. Personal experience. While my schedule is just as tight as yours (last week of class then finals week) if you have no one else to reach out to please PM and I will make time to talk live. I'm a 47 year old healthcare professional, been thru a lot of $%#^ and I am going to be an awesome family practice MD one day....

 

[mcatjelly]

Re: 'pre-med depression': I wouldn't recommend the counseling centers as the last thing you want the people writing your recs (and by extension, med schools) to know is that you're depressed.

This is incredible misinformation.

Depression is nature's way of telling you you don't have enough on your plate; if you have time to spare, spend it accomplishing something substantial and you'll feel much better.

And this is a terribly, terribly misinformed perception of depression. Successful people are not immune from depression, or any other sort of mental illness.

OP, please do seek out your school's counseling center. Whether or not your current depression reaches clinical levels, it's important that these issues be nipped in the bud before they become more serious than they already are.

 

[DrHart]

Agreed with jelly. Sophomore slump is a real thing. Not only are classes tougher (no more freshman survey) but it can also be hard to see light at the end of the tunnel considering you still have a couple years to go.
I've heard people say college brings out any mental health issues you might not even know you have. If you don't feel comfortable going to your school health center, go to your PCP. They can refer you to people. I think the first suggestion is usually counseling but as a college student (let alone premed) it can be hard to find time so I don't think most docs would have a problem writing you a script for medication.
Just my thoughts... this is what I did and it really turned my life around. Had two panic attacks between gen chem and o chem... i don't wish it upon anyone.

 

[Lannister]

I feel exactly the same way, except that I'm a junior and I'm taking the MCAT in May, so my lack of motivation is making it difficult to study for that as well.
I think my mood has gotten better now that the weather is improving. Maybe spend some time outside in the sun, it certainly helped me.
If you wanna take a semester off, study abroad. Having a semester off to not be a pre-med and travel around South America was amazing.

 

[ranob]

There's no way your rec letter writers or med schools would find out. This information is kept confidential by law. Don't be scared to seek help.

The law just means you won't be cc'd on emails or invited to the closed-door meetings. Counselors will definitely tell people about your difficulties. If you really want to seek out help, it's best to do so anonymously. I've had a rather horrific experience (in high school) with counselors, learning specialists, and the like, so I definitely would not recommend these services to someone suffering from mild depression.

 

[mcatjelly]

The law just means you won't be cc'd on emails or invited to the closed-door meetings. Counselors will definitely tell people about your difficulties. If you really want to seek out help, it's best to do so anonymously. I've had a rather horrific experience (in high school) with counselors, learning specialists, and the like, so I definitely would not recommend these services to someone suffering from mild depression.

Going to your guidance counselor in high school and seeing a psychologist at your university are different situations, especially due to the fact that in the former, you're a minor, and in the latter, you're a legal adult. That's a really important distinction.

And unless you pose serious risk to yourself or others, the counseling and psychological services you receive from your school are confidential, and your potential letter writers will NOT be notified that you're in therapy. I have no idea where you got that information from, but it's really, really wrong.

I totally understand the bad experiences with a high school counselor--I went to see mine in the early afternoon and by the time I got home, my parents were already aware I wasn't dealing with my emotions in the healthiest of ways. Long story short, it was a ****ty experience. But I still got into college, and people still get into graduate schools despite being in therapy. Medical schools don't get this information unless you share it with them.

I don't mean to be so harsh, I'm just very sensitive to people discouraging others from seeking help.

I think the first suggestion is usually counseling but as a college student (let alone premed) it can be hard to find time so I don't think most docs would have a problem writing you a script for medication.

I'm a hopeful psychiatrist and on SSRIs myself, but therapy should totally be the first line of defense. D:

 

[wegotthis14]

Going to your guidance counselor in high school and seeing a psychologist at your university are different situations, especially due to the fact that in the former, you're a minor, and in the latter, you're a legal adult. That's a really important distinction.

And unless you pose serious risk to yourself or others, the counseling and psychological services you receive from your school are confidential, and your potential letter writers will NOT be notified that you're in therapy. I have no idea where you got that information from, but it's really, really wrong.

I totally understand the bad experiences with a high school counselor--I went to see mine in the early afternoon and by the time I got home, my parents were already aware I wasn't dealing with my emotions in the healthiest of ways. Long story short, it was a ****ty experience. But I still got into college, and people still get into graduate schools despite being in therapy. Medical schools don't get this information unless you share it with them.

I don't mean to be so harsh, I'm just very sensitive to people discouraging others from seeking help.



I'm a hopeful psychiatrist and on SSRIs myself, but therapy should totally be the first line of defense. D:

Thank you

 

[laxgirl06]

First off... thank you to everyone for replying. I appreciate your concern. Tbh, I saw a counselor at my university about six times last semester, but it had nothing to with depression....let's not go there. I guess my chief complaint was misunderstood... I meant *premed* depression.... meaning feelings of sadness directly correlated with subpar academic performance. I don't consider myself to be clinically depressed. Basically, my concern, is that my grades do not reflect the amount of effort/time/dedication I put into them. And it's sophomore year, second semester... And then I "should only be studying 24 hours for an exam?"....... Ummm.....

 

[DrHart]

First off... thank you to everyone for replying. I appreciate your concern. Tbh, I saw a counselor at my university about six times last semester, but it had nothing to with depression....let's not go there. I guess my chief complaint was misunderstood... I meant *premed* depression.... meaning feelings of sadness directly correlated with subpar academic performance. I don't consider myself to be clinically depressed. Basically, my concern, is that my grades do not reflect the amount of effort/time/dedication I put into them. And it's sophomore year, second semester... And then I "should only be studying 24 hours for an exam?"....... Ummm.....

good to hear! although you're wording was misleading

.... I'm suffering from an extreme lack of motivation, depression, etc. I'm not sure about anything. Last semester was rough....

just remember almost everyone goes through this. you'll be hard pressed to find someone who completed a college degree without some hardship or disparity between effort put in and grade received. its part of finding out about yourself as a student. maybe try to talk to others or changing up your study methods if you can't get out of the slump

 

[HinduHammer]

I just read the first post and if your case is not serious depression requiring medical attention, have you tried regular, intense exercise? For me, taking a few days completely off and exercising, eating good and healthy (delicious but healthy foods like greek yogurt, fruits, unprocessed meats and grains), and I feel right as rain. Watch a couple movies, sleep good, then remind yourself why you're doing this. Delayed gratification is what separates the winners at life, imo.

 

[Goro]

This is extremely foolish advice and two of the most ignorant posts I've ever seen on SDN! The people writing LORs would have no idea any of their students would have depression or any other medical condition unless the students told them. Counselors, by law are forbidden to share this information. Go look up "HIPAA".

And go look up "etiology of depression" while you at it.

Re: 'pre-med depression': I wouldn't recommend the counseling centers as the last thing you want the people writing your recs (and by extension, med schools) to know is that you're depressed. So be careful. Depression is nature's way of telling you you don't have enough on your plate; if you have time to spare, spend it accomplishing something substantial and you'll feel much better.

Re: final exams next week: Go to the library. Find an empty room. Spend 8 hours studying. You'll feel better once you start studying.

Good luck with finals~[/QUOTE]


The law just means you won't be cc'd on emails or invited to the closed-door meetings. Counselors will definitely tell people about your difficulties. If you really want to seek out help, it's best to do so anonymously. I've had a rather horrific experience (in high school) with counselors, learning specialists, and the like, so I definitely would not recommend these services to someone suffering from mild depression.

 

[freemontie]

OP is obviously not depressed. Just disappointed with her academic performance. Extremmmmely common. Who wouldn't be disappointed if they want to go to med school but can only seem to get sub-par grades? No, it doesn't sound like taking up more hours of the week going to "counseling" sessions for "pre-med depression" is going to help much. The only way it can be helped is (A) you lower your standards or (B) you improve your grades.

I won't touch on A, but to help B I would recommend two things: First start thinking honestly about your 1. innate intelligence, i.e. are you able to get As? (in my unscientific opinion, anyone with a 110 or higher IQ is probably able, through some method, to get an A in o-chem or other hard pre-med courses) and 2. study technique (get tutoring by a o-chem whiz not just on o-chem but how to properly study o-chem, or any other subject). For example- is your hours of studying just re-reading chapter sections without full understanding? How many of those hours are "pure hours" of studying? If you can't seem to get something do you use multiple sources to get a fresh perspective (e.g. a secondary textbook, a website, a youtube or Khan Academy video)? The second thing I would suggest is transferring to an a university/college with a lower average SAT score if your current place is a top school. It's not going to be a huge difference- but there is going to be a difference. You can bet the o-chem final at [insert top competitive school] is going to be a bit harder/trickier than the o-chem final at [local state college]. Of course this is a huge step to "give up" prestige, but if you are sure about med school then it's worth considering.