I have always been a carefree and easy going guy. I have never really been scared or nervous about anything. Even when I went in to take my MCAT, I was completely calm and I did fine. But now I don't know what's changed. I am an MS1 and before my first round of exams about a month ago, I started feeling a constant adrenaline rush that wouldn't cease, no matter what I did. I attributed it to being nervous about my first exams and thought it would go away afterwards. But as the weeks have dragged on, the adrenaline rush has gotten worse. I haven't been able to concentrate on my studies and I am falling way behind. It's gotten to the point where I had to leave class because I literally cannot breathe. I haven't been able to eat properly and I have lost a lot of weight. I haven't weighed this little since high school. I have no idea what is wrong with me. I have never felt this way before. And now I keep getting further behind and other little things are setting off these feelings. My best friend just got his MCAT scores back and it will be close if he gets into med school or not next year. My girlfriend just had an interview to get into med school here and it didn't go well. Now everything is building up and I don't know how to regain control of my life. I slept literally all afternoon yesterday and all night, probably a total of 15 hours. And all the while I just keep getting further and further behind. Maybe I am just needing to vent here, but I am so scared and I don't know what to do.
How do I regain control?
- Thread starter Muehrcke
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you sound depressed. I'd do two things right away: make an appt w/ a psychiatrist and talk to someone in you're school's administration about this.
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First off, this sounds like a positive feedback thing (the fact that you are all stressed and out of control is making you more stressed) so let me suggest something.
Find out what exactly you are afraid of:
1.) are you afraid of failing a class?
-if you do, you can always repeat a year. My school allows you to fail on two different occasions and still continue.
2.) are you afraid of not doing well enough to be competitive for derm or something?
-how do you even know being a dermatologist or whatever would really make you happy?
Basically, accept the worse case scenario and find the possible positives, and try to chill out/break the cycle.
I think a lot of people go through trouble in their 20s, so don't think it's abnormal. Look at the good things in your life, you're in med school, have a girlfriend, are healthy, etc..
Good luck
Find out what exactly you are afraid of:
1.) are you afraid of failing a class?
-if you do, you can always repeat a year. My school allows you to fail on two different occasions and still continue.
2.) are you afraid of not doing well enough to be competitive for derm or something?
-how do you even know being a dermatologist or whatever would really make you happy?
Basically, accept the worse case scenario and find the possible positives, and try to chill out/break the cycle.
I think a lot of people go through trouble in their 20s, so don't think it's abnormal. Look at the good things in your life, you're in med school, have a girlfriend, are healthy, etc..
Good luck
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I second this. While everyone gets stressed in school, losing weight and having anxiety are red flags to me.
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Yeah I'm sorry I didn't stress the fact that weight loss and whatnot is not normal, I just meant in my last post don't feel bad you are having problems.
Definitely get professional help.
You would be surprise on how much stuffs you know!!!!
My advice to you then is to involve in group study. Once you do that, you would realize that YOU ARE NOT ALONE...I felt that way for my first exam and I used study by myself. However, I no longer have that feeling as I am more involved in group study. "Group therapy" or a study buddy, if you will, has been a blessing for me, as I realize that most people in my class felt that way!!!!! Thus, you are not alone!
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Other advice is to set up weekly meetings with your course directors or a TA to go over the materials...Since you don't want to look stupid when you gonna meet with your course director, you end up studying the materials. I have used that a lot when i feel like i am slacking off!!!
Moreover, don't wait until the last minute to meet with your course directors!
Moreover, don't wait until the last minute to meet with your course directors!
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You are depressed. On your own volition have mentioned sleep disturbances, psychomotor agitation, appetite changes, and difficulty concentrating. These are all signs of depression. I suppose that if I were to ask, you might also be having feelings of guilt, decreased energy (despite the 'adrenaline rush' you describe), and poor mood. It doesn't sound like you have suicidal or homicidal ideation but that's certainly possible. You need help. And you need it sooner rather than later. Please, please, please go to the Student Health Office and then speak to your Dean of Students.
Thanks for the replies everyone. I went and saw a doctor and they put me on some kind of medication that is supposed to help take away the physical symptoms. I felt so stupid talking about it because I hate making a big deal out of anything, especially this. I have always felt that people have bad days and good days, and I was just in a slump, but after all the above described problems I was really tired of feeling like s*** all the time. Now I'm just trying to focus on working around/with it, and getting caught up.
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I'm glad you've gotten help. Medication is a good place to start, but I would urge you to follow up with a counselor as well. Depression is not something to let linger.
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Second this. Make sure to pair your medication with the necessary lifestyle changes. Get into a good sleep routine, exercise, eat right, and definitely see a counselor on a semi-regular basis. Many medical schools offer counseling to their students at no cost. Please explore this and take advantage of it, if it's available.
The problems you described aren't insignificant. Take care of yourself.
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Never feel bad about seeking help! You would probably be surprised to find out how many of your classmates are feeling the exact same way. I later found out that a huge number of my classmates were on antidepressants.
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Well that was completely random.
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first post fail, lol
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Best spam post evar
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Side note: Your sig, +10 internets.
