Is this an unusual reason to go into psychiatry?

[jack.jaret]

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I am pursuing psychiatry and when people ask my reason, I tell them: good hours, low stress, low burnout, controllable lifestyle While all of these are true, there's more to it.

*This might be TMI *
I was abused as a child, both sexually and physically, over the course of a few years. I may not know what a schizophrenic patient is going through, but I definitely understand those going through insecurity issues, anxiety, depression, etc.

It was interesting talking to people that have gone through similar things. I feel for them. I know it's a lot of emotional burden but it was kind of cool listening. However, it's only my 3rd week of psychiatry so I'm not sure if it's something I can do forever. Thoughts?

 

[wolfvgang22]

Common scenario. Don't share this info freely. Also, don't tell organizations or interviewers your reasons other than you love Psychiatry as a field. Make sure you can handle the emotional stress of being a Psychiatrist.

 

[AcronymAllergy]

Agree with the above RE: making sure you can handle the emotional stress. Additionally, you'll need to monitor yourself to see if you're over-identifying with particular types of patients or producing other boundary issues, jumping to premature and/or unwarranted conclusions, having adverse interpersonal reactions to abusers (whom you're also likely to see, even if you don't work with them long-term as patients), and related areas.

It's a potential red flag to see statements like, "but I definitely understand those going through insecurity issues, anxiety, depression, etc." You understand your experience with those issues. That won't always, or possibly even often, translate to the experiences of your patients. In psychology, we talk with folks about avoiding the "mesearch" trap of going into a field of research solely because of prior personal experiences (e.g., to try and "find a cure" for it), and then risking arriving at foregone conclusions based on those experiences. The same applies to clinical care provision.

But short answer: no, it's not an unusual reason for pretty much any profession in mental health.

 

[thoffen]

Usual and not a problem so long as you are able to maintain appropriate boundaries and seek supervision if a case is too personal for you.

 

[Sunny in Psych]

I am pursuing psychiatry and when people ask my reason, I tell them: good hours, low stress, low burnout, controllable lifestyle While all of these are true, there's more to it.

*This might be TMI *
I was abused as a child, both sexually and physically, over the course of a few years. I may not know what a schizophrenic patient is going through, but I definitely understand those going through insecurity issues, anxiety, depression, etc.

It was interesting talking to people that have gone through similar things. I feel for them. I know it's a lot of emotional burden but it was kind of cool listening. However, it's only my 3rd week of psychiatry so I'm not sure if it's something I can do forever. Thoughts?

I think lots of folks go into psych for similar reasons... if course, there's a lot more to it than talking to patients who experienced abuse. Perhaps you want to spend more time in different psychiatric areas before making a decision?

 

[Monocles]

I am pursuing psychiatry and when people ask my reason, I tell them: good hours, low stress, low burnout, controllable lifestyle While all of these are true, there's more to it.

*This might be TMI *
I was abused as a child, both sexually and physically, over the course of a few years. I may not know what a schizophrenic patient is going through, but I definitely understand those going through insecurity issues, anxiety, depression, etc.

It was interesting talking to people that have gone through similar things. I feel for them. I know it's a lot of emotional burden but it was kind of cool listening. However, it's only my 3rd week of psychiatry so I'm not sure if it's something I can do forever. Thoughts?

Don't tell this to anyone.

Sounds harsh but a lot of medical practioners are judgmental, and you never know when/if a program director/supervisor will use this information against you.

EDIT: on a broader note I've once had a department chair tell us (students) to "never disclose mental health issues"... because a lot of PDs are looking for "normal" people who can handle the stresses of residency.

 

[MedMan80]

Don't tell this to anyone.

Sounds harsh but a lot of medical practioners are judgmental, and you never know when/if a program director/supervisor will use this information against you.

EDIT: on a broader note I've once had a department chair tell us (students) to "never disclose mental health issues"... because a lot of PDs are looking for "normal" people who can handle the stresses of residency.

Exactly, especially if it's a tougher program, you will be stretched to your limits in such a program and they don't want to see any nidus for failure. That being said, my program did take a chance on a resident who had disclosed mental health issues, and that resident did end up dropping out before finishing PGY-1, further reinforcing this thought process..