I'm confused and torn

[Aquamaraqua]

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So I've been planning to get into the medical field since I was young, and have switched my mind from neurology to psychiatry because I'm more interested in what the latter has to offer. However the problem is I'm almost equally as passionate about psychiatry as I am about political science (mainly social reform and corruption) and physics. I'm unsure of how I can balance my love for these fields, and I really want to make a difference in the quality of lives of people in the world as a whole. Clinical psychiatry seems very endearing but it just doesn't feel enough for me. I've also considered doing clinical psychology as it would probably be less "work", but I do enjoy a lot of what MD programs have to offer based on curriculum.

If it helps, I am not too worried about pay. As long as I enjoy what I do and can afford to have some time for myself, I should be fine.

I feel like a complete mess right now, and any guidance would be appreciated.

 

[psychhopefull2016]

So I've been planning to get into the medical field since I was young, and have switched my mind from neurology to psychiatry because I'm more interested in what the latter has to offer. However the problem is I'm almost equally as passionate about political science (mainly social reform and corruption) and physics. I'm unsure of how I can balance my love for these fields, and I really want to make a difference in the quality of lives of people in the world as a whole. Clinical psychiatry seems very endearing but it just doesn't feel enough for me. I've also considered doing clinical psychology as it would probably be less "work", but I do enjoy a lot of what MD programs have to offer based on curriculum.

If it helps, I am not too worried about pay. As long as I enjoy what I do and can afford to have some time for myself, I should be fine.

I feel like a complete mess right now, and any guidance would be appreciated.

Sounds like you are in undergrad? You are obligated to try out psych and neuro and a ton of other fields in med school so you can see what it would actually be like to do those things and if you actually like them

 

[Aquamaraqua]

Sounds like you are in undergrad? You are obligated to try out psych and neuro and a ton of other fields in med school so you can see what it would actually be like to do those things and if you actually like them

I understand that freedom, however I'm not sure how it would mesh with the other options I'm interested in.

 

[OldPsychDoc]

Psychiatry has myriad opportunities to interface with political systems in a public policy role, or through advocacy. I assure you that there is much work to be done, and if you are passionate about poli sci, you can scratch that itch in psych.

 

[birchswing]

Doctors without borders? It doesn't change much at a governmental level, but it's social activism if not reform.

 

[Aquamaraqua]

Doctors without borders? It doesn't change much at a governmental level, but it's social activism if not reform.

I've thought about that as well, thank you for the input. I'll have to check into that more once I progress through the field.

Psychiatry has myriad opportunities to interface with political systems in a public policy role, or through advocacy. I assure you that there is much work to be done, and if you are passionate about poli sci, you can scratch that itch in psych.

Is there a field for that yet though? I assume I can see how it turns out over the course of the next few years however as things are always changing.

 

[ekno123]

Yes there's a entire field called "public psychiatry", at the program I'm interested in there is even a track in it.

However, you are kind of putting the cart before the horse IMO. First you need to figure out whether you want to go to Med school or not. It's a huge time commitment, huge financial burden, and you have to be a pretty solid student to get in, let alone make it through med school and all of residency. This isn't to discourage you- I was torn between getting PsyD or going back and taking all the premed classes and doing med school. I ended up opting for the latter and I'm glad I did, but it was very challenging (not always in a good way.) My advice- ask yourself:
1. Are you able to go to medical school? (Do you have financial resources to pay for it or credit for loans? Are you okay enough of a test taker to get in and pass once you are in? Do you have a young child that you want to spend time with or other obligation you don't want to compromise for next 4 years?)
2. Would you rather be diagnosing people, treating them with meds, doing lots of paperwork and charting? Do you really like science enough to make it through med school (which the vast majority is spent studying things OTHER than psychiatry)?

If no to the second- so many great options- PsyD if you wanna do clinical stuff, MPH if you are a policy wonk, etc. If you like science enough to want to do MD- go for it, and then once you see what practicing day to day neurology vs psychiatry (which you are required to do during third year in US at least) then you'll have a much easier go deciding. But to try to decide now, before you are even in med school- you are gonna make yourself miserable! Good luck [emoji846]

Edit: rereading your post- just to make sure you realize, most psychiatrists are "clinical psychiatrists" and practice the specialty that is their profession. If you worked at an academic center like a med school, you could spend part of your time (being paid) to do your special interests in psychiatry (let's say it's writing articles about policies for people with mental illness). But you'd most likely be expected to see patients.


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[thoffen]

I feel like a complete mess right now, and any guidance would be appreciated.

I am glad you are interested in the field. Where are you in your educational journey that these interests have made you feel like a complete mess?

Personally, I was an engineer for nearly 3 years before even considering medicine as a specialty, worked my way into med school 2 years later, and I did so thinking pediatrics would be my choice. Your life will take you where it does, and there will be opportunity along the way to change your mind. It is an unrealistic expectation to know who you are and who you will be in 10(?) years right now. Any of these paths are marathons and not sprints. Run the direction you are compelled to run and keep an open mind about it.