I have memory problems. Can I be a good medical student?

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ObsessedStudent

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I don't think I Have amnesia. But no matter how much I read, I find it almost impossible to recall. I think I might get accepted in med school; but is there any chance that I will be a good medical student?
(Med school starts in May. Assuming I get accepted.)

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Have you already applied for medical school? What is your status in school?
 
What were your grades like in bio and biochem? The answer should give you a sense.

My grades were good in bio and biochem but I also found those classes more difficult than chem or physics. I've come to accept that my long term memory isn't the best lol, but I think I could do alright in med school
 
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Your goal isn't to be a good medical student, it's to be a good physician.

If this will prevent you from giving proper treatment, people will die under your care.

I won't tell you what to do since I don't know you well. You decide what's best for you with this.
 
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Have you already applied for medical school? What is your status in school?
Nope. In the final year of college.
What were your grades like in bio and biochem? The answer should give you a sense.

My grades were good in bio and biochem but I also found those classes more difficult than chem or physics. I've come to accept that my long term memory isn't the best lol, but I think I could do alright in med school
B+ in biology and A in biochem.
I find physics and chem more difficult than bio. (I find botany uninteresting.)
My short term memory is shot up.
Your goal isn't to be a good medical student, it's to be a good physician.

If this will prevent you from giving proper treatment, people will die under your care.

I won't tell you what to do since I don't know you well. You decide what's best for you with this.
I am talking about near future.

I know. That's why I am asking.

My psychiatrists tell me I am not fit for either research (on neurological conditions, since I have a few) or for med school, but I try anyway because I am a ******* idiot.
In fact I don't think I can continue education (grades are not the best way to judge one's memory, I don't remember a single word from last year's syllabus or what I did yesterday.) at all. But I want to save lives, that's the neurotic aim of my life.
 
You can help outside outside if health care. A social worker for example. If your answer to "why medicine?" Is "to help people", you'll be out of there faster than you can say "MCAT".
 
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You can help outside outside if health care. A social worker for example. If your answer to "why medicine?" Is "to help people", you'll be out of there faster than you can say "MCAT".
I actually love psychiatry (psychopharmacology, for example), neurology (nothing is more fascinating than neuroanatomy for me), and I love orthopedic anatomy, physiology. I also love diagnosing people. I like medicine as a field. To help people is icing on the cake.
But of course, memory.
 
I feel like you can improve your memory with certain tricks. Find out how you study— is it a few days before or weeks before? How do you study, by passively reading or writing what you remember? Those grades you have in bio and biochem are really good!

Not every doctor has photographic memory but I did come across one doc who somehow recalls 100% of his patients’ exams/life events after 2 yrs of not seeing them, so I guess this saves time w/o going back to the chart all the time.
 
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Nope. In the final year of college.

B+ in biology and A in biochem.
I find physics and chem more difficult than bio. (I find botany uninteresting.)
My short term memory is shot up.

My psychiatrists tell me I am not fit for either research (on neurological conditions, since I have a few) or for med school, but I try anyway because I am a ******* idiot.
In fact I don't think I can continue education (grades are not the best way to judge one's memory, I don't remember a single word from last year's syllabus or what I did yesterday.) at all. But I want to save lives, that's the neurotic aim of my life.

Listen to your psychiatrists. Don't be an idiot. The MCAT is a beast and you could study your butt off and end up with a score too low to get you an interview at Walmart never mind medical school. You can apply and then get nothing which is an emotional rollercoaster and a tremendous financial drain. If you some how end up with admission to medical school but flunk out due to memory issues you have the sunk costs (15K-100K including living expenses and tuition) plus the emotional turmoil of having done poorly in several exams and facing the promotions committee.

Ask your psychiatrists what you are capable of doing or ask to be referred to a counselor who can assist you in exploring careers at which you could be successful despite your deficits. Occupational therapists may be able to help.
 
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I mean, you could get a psychoed/neuropsych eval and see where things actually stand. May be a good idea to see if the memory problems are objective or subjective, as the treatments/compensatory mechanisms may differ.
 
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Have you started preparing for the MCAT? The people with strong MCAT scores and strong GPAs who are unfit for medical school mostly have physical or socio-emotional limitations, not purely academic ones. I'd think that if you can score highly on the MCAT you can be confident that your memory is sufficient for medical school.

Don't take any of this as medical advice. It is possible to succeed in med school with certain psychiatric and neurological conditions, but that determination is for you and your doctors to make.
 
Thanks to all who have replied.

My psychiatrists (two docs actually) have my brain scan and they don't talk about it neither show me. I think I might have a neurodegenerative disorder. I will decide between
1) Being a doctor with the specialty I like the most (probably psychiatry, but since I want to save lives I might end up becoming a med/rad oncologist.)
2) Becoming interested in something else like computer programming and/or biotechnology and doing a career in it.
3) Not continuing my education. Despite my good grades, I have a situation similar to H.M, I don't remember what happened a few minutes ago, only I remember what I am doing.

I feel like the third option is the most realistic one.

I was diagnosed with psychosis two years ago.
 
I don't think someone with a situation similar to HM could achieve an A in biochem. I'd go with option 4) as for a referral for a specialist in neurology/neuropsychology to better understand what is actually going on before making major life decisions based on potentially faulty information.
 
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I don't think you would have made it this far with an impairment as severe as H.M. had. People can't diagnose their own memory problems; you should see a specialist. Medical school is hard for people with psychotic disorders (and out of the question for some), but I know a few who have succeeded, including a close friend of mine.

Regarding 1) Oncologists treat a lot of people who, sadly, are going to die anyway. If you're interested in saving the lives of people who would not otherwise be dying, psychiatry is a great field. Psychiatrists who treat mood, psychotic, and substance use disorders save a LOT of lives.
 
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this thread bothers me. first of all, walmart has a low mcat threshold so i think he will be fine.

in all seriousness people on here are jumping to conclusions. you dont seem like you have any confidence in yourself despite doing well in your classes. your memory sounds good enough to me. in fact, it sounds like plenty of others memory's. you may have anxiety or adhd which can easily interfere with memory formation because of something simple called distraction.

and even then, remembering what you did all day or even yesterday is a challenge for plenty of people. it does NOT mean you are incapable of being a good physician..... give me a break ...

what i find even weirder is that no one commented on how your psychiatrist told you you are not fit to be a physician and didnt even explain why? what the ****?
 
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Yeah I would recommend you see a new psychiatrist at another hospital, something isn't adding up. If you're able to have high grades in upper level science courses, I see no clear reason why you are "unfit" for medical school. YOU need to get a direct answer for if/why those two psychiatrists don't think you are fit for medical school.
 
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Yeah I would recommend you see a new psychiatrist at another hospital, something isn't adding up. If you're able to have high grades in upper level science courses, I see no clear reason why you are "unfit" for medical school. YOU need to get a direct answer for if/why those two psychiatrists don't think you are fit for medical school.
Seconded

Also mental health, nutrition and sleep issues can all interfere with long term memory op and it may be wise to carefully examine these
 
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Thanks to all who have replied.

My psychiatrists (two docs actually) have my brain scan and they don't talk about it neither show me.

So why are you not able to know the results of the scan...?

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I don't think you would have made it this far with an impairment as severe as H.M. had. People can't diagnose their own memory problems; you should see a specialist. Medical school is hard for people with psychotic disorders (and out of the question for some), but I know a few who have succeeded, including a close friend of mine.

Regarding 1) Oncologists treat a lot of people who, sadly, are going to die anyway. If you're interested in saving the lives of people who would not otherwise be dying, psychiatry is a great field. Psychiatrists who treat mood, psychotic, and substance use disorders save a LOT of lives.
Thanks for your valuable opinion.

But as far as I know, if the patient is not otherwise healthy, he has a high risk of premature death by the use of antipsychotic agents. Antidepressants (as far as I know) seem to have much less dangerous side effects (i.e. in case of OCD) so I hesitate about being a psychiatrist (what if a diabetic heart patients gets diagnosed with schizophrenia? What else can I prescribe other than placebos? Not that placebos shouldn't be less commonly prescribe.)
At least cancer patients can live longer.



I don't think someone with a situation similar to HM could achieve an A in biochem. I'd go with option 4) as for a referral for a specialist in neurology/neuropsychology to better understand what is actually going on before making major life decisions based on potentially faulty information.
Thanks for your opinion.
I will try to see a neurologist.

I actually visit a neuropsychiatrist and he prescribes me tranquilizers and he tells me "nothing has happened to your memory." My second psychiatrist, noted my problem and wrote this on the report :
- Forgetfulness
- Unable to recall.
I don't know the diagnosis (except for psychosis.)
 
this thread bothers me. first of all, walmart has a low mcat threshold so i think he will be fine.

in all seriousness people on here are jumping to conclusions. you dont seem like you have any confidence in yourself despite doing well in your classes. your memory sounds good enough to me. in fact, it sounds like plenty of others memory's. you may have anxiety or adhd which can easily interfere with memory formation because of something simple called distraction.

and even then, remembering what you did all day or even yesterday is a challenge for plenty of people. it does NOT mean you are incapable of being a good physician..... give me a break ...

what i find even weirder is that no one commented on how your psychiatrist told you you are not fit to be a physician and didnt even explain why? what the ****?
If I cannot be a doctor or a medical researcher (I want to save lives of people), I will try my bes to be something like a biochemist, a computer programmer, a teacher or a lecturer. I know about the entrance exam. I will try my best for it.

I have tremendous anxiety. I was isolated as a child.

Thanks for the input.

I have certain neurological conditions like M.S, which have drastically reduced my life span. Since med training is long, he might have had insight on my life span.

I am a psychiatric patient, that's a reason to contribute.
 
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Yeah I would recommend you see a new psychiatrist at another hospital, something isn't adding up. If you're able to have high grades in upper level science courses, I see no clear reason why you are "unfit" for medical school. YOU need to get a direct answer for if/why those two psychiatrists don't think you are fit for medical school.
I have 53% as aggregate. I scored 88% in bio.
 
...not like tranquilizers cause memory impairment or anything.

OP, get a second opinion. Biochem is HARD. You clearly can recall things enough to get an A in a class that requires plenty of recall.
 
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I have certain neurological conditions like M.S, which have drastically reduced my life span. Since med training is long, he might have had insight on my life span.

Unless it's one of the more rare subtypes, people with MS that is well managed have similar lifespans to people without. The difference is generally like a year at most in larger studies
 
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I know it might be too early to ask, but a psychiatrist (I love the specality as far as I understand it) can save lives? Can I involuntarily commit a terrorist who has dangerous mental illness? (as a civilian psychiatrist.)
 
Unless it's one of the more rare subtypes, people with MS that is well managed have similar lifespans to people without. The difference is generally like a year at most in larger studies
But it's still a lot of painful
 
...not like tranquilizers cause memory impairment or anything.

OP, get a second opinion. Biochem is HARD. You clearly can recall things enough to get an A in a class that requires plenty of recall.
I don't remember anything of the last year syllabus (unless it's directly mentioned in the current year textbook.)
 
Explore other routes and other specific career paths that would be satisfying for you, and then take a real look at what would best fit your life. I'd recommend taking a conservative view -- look at potential careers and consider what would happen if your symptoms grew worse. You want a career that can withstand variations in health. Be especially wary of taking on debt. And yeah, a proper neuropsych eval would be good.
 
Explore other routes and other specific career paths that would be satisfying for you, and then take a real look at what would best fit your life. I'd recommend taking a conservative view -- look at potential careers and consider what would happen if your symptoms grew worse. You want a career that can withstand variations in health. Be especially wary of taking on debt. And yeah, a proper neuropsych eval would be good.
Next time I visit my psychiatrist, I will surely ask him for a referral.
 
Thanks for your valuable opinion.

But as far as I know, if the patient is not otherwise healthy, he has a high risk of premature death by the use of antipsychotic agents. Antidepressants (as far as I know) seem to have much less dangerous side effects (i.e. in case of OCD) so I hesitate about being a psychiatrist (what if a diabetic heart patients gets diagnosed with schizophrenia? What else can I prescribe other than placebos? Not that placebos shouldn't be less commonly prescribe.)
At least cancer patients can live longer.
I was referring mostly to preventing suicide, fatal overdose, complications of IVDU, and consequences of long term drug use, along with the often dangerous and risky behaviors of people with untreated psychosis. People with untreated schizophrenia have higher mortality than patients on an antipsychotic despite the risks and side effects. Don't worry about medical management at this stage. The various antipsychotics have different side effect profiles and we still need to treat psychotic disorders in people with or at risk for metabolic disorders; diabetes is a chronic illness that can be managed relatively well. Not sure what you mean about prescribing placebos. My point was that psychiatric patients, even on antipsychotics, tend to live much longer than cancer patients.

Psychiatrists can involuntarily hold patients in certain cases, but imagining saving bystanders' lives by committing a potential terrorist is a stretch.
 
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I don't think I Have amnesia. But no matter how much I read, I find it almost impossible to recall. I think I might get accepted in med school; but is there any chance that I will be a good medical student?
(Med school starts in May. Assuming I get accepted.)
No. I like to tell my students that they have 5000 body parts that they have to memorize.

EDIT: Have you been diagnosed with a psychiatric illness? If so, are you on medication? Have you received electroconvulsive therapy?

What is your sGPA and cGPA?
 
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You don't necessarily need the best memory to be a successful physician, but you sure as hell do as a medical student! Even people with good memory still got their asses kicked.

 
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this thread bothers me. first of all, walmart has a low mcat threshold so i think he will be fine.

in all seriousness people on here are jumping to conclusions. you dont seem like you have any confidence in yourself despite doing well in your classes. your memory sounds good enough to me. in fact, it sounds like plenty of others memory's. you may have anxiety or adhd which can easily interfere with memory formation because of something simple called distraction.

and even then, remembering what you did all day or even yesterday is a challenge for plenty of people. it does NOT mean you are incapable of being a good physician..... give me a break ...

what i find even weirder is that no one commented on how your psychiatrist told you you are not fit to be a physician and didnt even explain why? what the ****?

The context clues are there. Even from the first post.
 
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Need more information. Something here doesn't add up. Get a neuropsych eval. Consider getting a SPECT scan. Sleep a sleep medicine specialist for eval for sleep apnea. See an immunologist, get CBC with differential WBC count, ESR, h-CRP, check for possible signs of neuroinflammation, if so, work on identifying and addressing root cause.
 
If I cannot be a doctor or a medical researcher (I want to save lives of people), I will try my bes to be something like a biochemist, a computer programmer, a teacher or a lecturer. I know about the entrance exam. I will try my best for it.

I have tremendous anxiety. I was isolated as a child.

Thanks for the input.

I have certain neurological conditions like M.S, which have drastically reduced my life span. Since med training is long, he might have had insight on my life span.

I am a psychiatric patient, that's a reason to contribute.

So to clarify, you have MS? Which kind? That alone would be enough to explain forgetfulness, depression, and OCD symptoms via chronic neuroinflammation in the hippocampus.

Which tranquilizers are you taking? Benzos can cause B12 deficiency, disrupted sleep architecture, and memory issues, if my own imperfect memory serves.

You need to see someone who has experience managing complex chronic disease patients who can look at you holistically and see what's really going on. And get your scans, they're your property.
 
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So to clarify, you have MS? Which kind? That alone would be enough to explain forgetfulness, depression, and OCD symptoms via chronic neuroinflammation in the hippocampus.

Which tranquilizers are you taking? Benzos can cause B12 deficiency, disrupted sleep architecture, and memory issues, if my own imperfect memory serves.

You need to see someone who has experience managing complex chronic disease patients who can look at you holistically and see what's really going on. And get your scans, they're your property.

hm. did not see that part of his post. this is an interesting thread
 
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hm. did not see that part of his post. this is an interesting thread

Agreed, much more interesting than the standard "I got a B woe is me" thread. Talk about burying the lead though, I saw that while scanning through and I was like "Whaaa???"
 
Remember, do not give out specific medical advice. Outside of "get another opinion/consult a specialist in this area" we really shouldn't be giving specific medical advice or trying to solicit information regarding diagnoses to give such advice.
 
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There is no chance that anyone on the internet can read what is on this thread and explain OP's medical situation, and it is a disservice to try and do so, especially without medical training. Pre-meds suggesting blood tests for other pre-meds is inappropriate. Even if he says he has MS and takes "tranquilizers" that doesn't mean he has MS or that he takes amnestic doses of Ativan.
 
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There is no chance that anyone on the internet can read what is on this thread and explain OP's medical situation, and it is a disservice to try and do so, especially without medical training. Pre-meds suggesting blood tests for other pre-meds is inappropriate. Even if he says he has MS and takes "tranquilizers" that doesn't mean he has MS or that he takes amnestic doses of Ativan.
There are hints, and not good ones. Winged picked up on them.
 
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Remember, do not give out specific medical advice. Outside of "get another opinion/consult a specialist in this area" we really shouldn't be giving specific medical advice or trying to solicit information regarding diagnoses to give such advice.

Nothing I said should be construed as medical advice, just suggestions for questions to ask his doctors about.
 
I know what exactly you mean I used to think the same thing but I changed my study habits and it honestly fixed everything maybe you just aren't studying correctly or haven't found the method you retain the most to study.
 
Hey OP -

I highly suggest you talk to your doctor about your memory. No one on this thread knows the details of your specific situation, so we cannot give you sound advice regarding if you can become a well-functioning doctor or not. This is for you and your doctor, or people who know you, to talk about and help you decide.
 
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dude you might not have memory problems but just study in a very inefficient manner. i don't remember a lot of stuff if i just read it, i have to repeat and rewrite the info...
 
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